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2026 Governing Body Update #6

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Welcome, brothers and sisters.
In view of the importance of this update,
the Governing Body decided
to release it as soon as possible in English.
The update will be available
in additional languages very soon.
Since our last report,
seven “Eternal Happiness”
International Conventions
were held in Calgary, Canada;
Quito, Ecuador;
Vilnius, Lithuania;
Hamburg, Germany;
Utrecht, the Netherlands;
Johannesburg, South Africa;
and Milwaukee, the United States.
More than 30,000 delegates
from 69 countries attended.
The combined peak attendance
was over 165,000,
and 1,428 were baptized.
Just think of the fine witness
that so many
living in these cities have received!
Three more international conventions
are scheduled
before the end of the 2026 calendar year.
Plans for the 2027 convention series
are already underway.
Next year’s convention theme is
“Jesus—The Way.”
Twenty-one international conventions
have been planned in 19 lands.
As previously announced,
during September 2026,
we’re offering
the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure
with the goal of starting Bible studies.
We’re also inviting people
to the special talk entitled
“How Can the Bible Help You?”
What a wonderful opportunity
to help sincere ones
to come to know and love Jehovah!
Because we love people,
we’re eager to share the good news
and to offer Bible studies.
Could you make it a personal goal
to start a Bible study?
Why not pray to Jehovah
about your sincere desire
to help someone become a disciple?
Jehovah will help you to find joy
as you search out those
who are
“rightly disposed for everlasting life.”
And regardless of the results,
you can be sure that Jehovah
appreciates your efforts.
Our love for people moves us
to share the good news.
It also moves us to care about
those facing serious trials.
In recent months,
several natural disasters
have affected our brothers and sisters.
These include major earthquakes
in Venezuela, Japan, and Colombia;
wildfires in Europe and in North America;
and devastating mudslides in Asia.
In Venezuela, our relief work is ongoing.
Some of our brothers and sisters
were trapped in rubble
but were rescued by fellow Witnesses.
Local brothers and sisters have also donated
more than half a million dollars’ worth
of food, clothing, and other supplies.
The branch office has set up relief centers
so that those in need
can obtain essential items.
Recently, Brothers Jacob Rumph,
of the Governing Body,
and Troy Snyder,
a helper to the Coordinators’ Committee,
visited Venezuela to shepherd
those affected by the earthquakes.
When tragedies occur,
we’re naturally concerned
about our brothers and sisters
and our neighbors.
We realize that life
is a precious gift from Jehovah.
As Psalm 36:9 says,
Jehovah is “the source of life.”
Jehovah’s people
have always endeavored
to reflect his view
of the sacredness of life.
This is why we refuse to support wars
or to take the lives of unborn children,
and we avoid recklessness
that could result in the loss of life.
Additionally, Jehovah connects
the sacredness of life
with blood.
In his command to Noah
at Genesis 9:4,
Jehovah said:
“Only flesh with its life
—its blood—
you must not eat.”
Under the direction of holy spirit,
the apostles issued a similar command
that Christians should abstain from blood.
It’s recorded at Acts 15:28, 29:
“For the holy spirit and we ourselves
“have favored adding no further burden to you
“except these necessary things:
“to keep abstaining
from things sacrificed to idols,
“from blood, from what is strangled,
“and from sexual immorality.
“If you carefully keep yourselves
from these things,
“you will prosper.
Good health to you!”
This means that Christians
don’t eat unbled meat.
But this command
is more than a dietary restriction.
It’s an opportunity
for each of God’s servants
to reflect Jehovah’s view of life.
Obedience to this command
includes avoiding
the consumption of blood.
And since the underlying principle
is respect for life,
it also includes avoiding bloodguilt
caused by murder
or by careless or reckless conduct
that could result in the loss of life.
In all of those areas,
Jehovah’s Witnesses
have shown a determination
to reflect Jehovah’s view
that life and blood are sacred.
With regard to blood,
Jehovah’s Witnesses
have understood Acts 15
to mean they
should not consume whole blood,
either by mouth or by transfusion
and that they should not donate blood.
This position has protected
Jehovah’s people
spiritually and physically.
We’ve also applied this principle
to the four main components of blood
—that’s red cells, white cells,
plasma, and platelets.
Medical science has shown
the effectiveness of treatments
that avoid blood transfusions
and associated risks.
Nevertheless, advances in medical treatments
have raised many questions
about the application of Bible principles
to various health situations.
Therefore,
the 2026 Governing Body Update #2 stated:
“Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.
“However, we obey the apostolic command
“to abstain from blood.
“Furthermore, the Bible does not comment
“on the use of a person’s own blood
“in medical and surgical care.
“Therefore, like other choices
about health care,
“each Christian must make
his own decision
“about the use of his own blood
in all medical and surgical care.”
This Scriptural clarification
allows each Christian to do
as stated in Galatians 6:5:
“Each one will carry his own load.”
After further prayerful consideration,
the Governing Body has decided
that this same principle
applies to the four primary components
of whole blood
—that’s red cells, white cells,
plasma, and platelets—
that are derived
from another person’s blood.
Therefore, each Christian
must make his own personal decision
about the use
of these four primary components
in all medical and surgical care.
Likewise, each Christian must decide
whether to donate components
or fractions derived from his own blood.
Now, does this mean
that the Governing Body
views lightly the matter
of treatments
involving one or more
of the primary blood components?
No, not at all!
The Governing Body continues to regard this
as a very serious matter.
However, since the Scriptures
don’t comment
on the various products
that may be derived from blood,
we recognize that,
in harmony with 1 Corinthians 4:6,
we’re not authorized
to “go beyond the things that are written.”
We also recognize the importance
of what is stated
at 2 Corinthians 1:24:
“Not that we are the masters
over your faith,
“but we are fellow workers for your joy,
for it is by your faith
that you are standing.”
How should a Christian view the matter
of accepting or rejecting
one or more of the four main components?
Each Christian should continue
to give prayerful thought
to the factors involved
before making a decision.
Taking this matter lightly
could harm a Christian’s conscience
and his precious relationship with Jehovah.
What factors could a Christian consider
when making a medical decision
involving the use of a product derived
from another person’s blood?
Each Christian
will likely reason differently.
Some might reject all such products
because they believe that
taking any part of blood is wrong.
Others might accept certain products
because they represent
a small percentage of whole blood.
For example, some components
make up a smaller percentage
of whole blood
than certain fractions
that some Christians
might already be willing to accept.
Whatever the case, Romans 14:12 states:
“Each of us will render an account
for himself to God.”
To help each of God’s servants
to make an informed personal decision,
the Governing Body has approved
the release of a simple chart.
It identifies some of the more
common products derived from blood.
The chart, along with
a “Questions From Readers” article
based on this update,
will soon be released on jw.org
and in the JW Library® app.
In addition, Watchtower study articles
are being prepared
to discuss this matter further.
And an updated medical directive
will be available soon.
After considering these and other factors,
each Christian must decide whether or not
he will accept a component or a fraction
derived from another person’s blood.
The congregation will not get involved
in that decision,
and individual Christians
should not judge others.
There’s usually no need to discuss
these personal medical decisions
with individuals other than
the health-care agents
listed on your medical directive.
At your request,
the local Hospital Liaison Committee
is ready to support you in your decision.
The brothers can help you find doctors
who will respect your conscience,
and they will keep
your decisions confidential.
What if a Christian’s employment
involves blood or blood products?
The principles
in the “Questions From Readers” article
in the April 15, 1999,
issue of The Watchtower
can help him make a wise decision
and keep a clean conscience.
Brothers and sisters,
we know this is a lot of information
for you to take in,
but what’s the main point?
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept
transfusions of whole blood,
nor do we donate whole blood
to be transfused to others.
We also don’t eat blood or unbled meat.
However, whether to accept components
or fractions derived
from another person’s blood
is a decision for each Christian to make.
Likewise, each Christian must decide
whether or not
to donate components or fractions
derived from his own blood.
Please be assured that
the Governing Body remains determined
to show respect for Jehovah’s precious gifts
of life and blood.
However, we recognize that each Christian
must bear his own responsibility
to make conscientious decisions
before Jehovah.
Therefore, the Governing Body
urges all of God’s people
to consider prayerfully
all factors relevant to their situation
when making medical decisions
involving products derived from blood.
In this way, each Christian
can make a decision
that leaves him with a clean conscience
and shows deep respect for Jehovah,
the Source of life.
Thank you, dear brothers and sisters,
for your faith, your love,
and your loyal support.
We love you very much.
From the World Headquarters
of Jehovah’s Witnesses,
this is JW Broadcasting®.