Letter From the Watch Tower Society About Witnesses Registered in the Mexican Reserves (September 5, 1969)
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A/AG September 5,1969
Mexico Branch
Dear Brothers:
We have your letter of August 27 (182) in which you ask a question about brothers who had registered in Mexico and are now in the first reserves.
The letter that you quoted of February 4, 1960 (123) covers the whole matter. There is nothing more to be said. The responsibility will be upon these individuals if they are ever called up as to what they are going to do and that is soon enough to take any action. In the meantime these brothers who have registered and who have paid a fee are free to go ahead in the service. Not that we are giving our approval in this matter, but it is their conscience, not ours, that has allowed them to take the course of action that they have taken. If their conscience allows them to do what they have done and they are not compromising in any way then you just lay the matter on the shelf. There is no reason for you to answer any questions or give comment to individuals, nor to enter into a discussion. Someday we may have to face the issue and they may have to make a decision, as the letter points out, and then it will be for them to decide. We cannot decide the lives of everyone in the world. If the consciences of these persons allowed them to do what they did and to be registered in the reserves that is for them to worry about, if they are worried. It is not for the Society's office to be worried about it.
The Society has always said that people should comply with the law and if the individual has done what you have described in your letter and it does not hurt his conscience then we leave the matter just as it is. There is no reason for us to decide another man's conscience, nor to get into an argument or controversy over the matter. If the individuals are not compromising in the sense of taking up arms, and what they are doing continues to allow them to beat their swords into pruning shears, then the decision rests with them. If they change that position in their lives that is soon enough for the overseers in the congregation to take action. So leave things stand as they are and have been since February of 1960 with no further comment.
May Jehovah's rich blessing go with you.
Your brothers,
Watchtower B. R. S. Society
OF NEW YORK, INC.