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00:00:01 Dear brothers, sisters, 00:00:04 faithful children, and interested ones, 00:00:08 it is a great pleasure to be with you for this update. 00:00:13 We have many good things to share with you, 00:00:15 including an update 00:00:18 on our response to several major natural disasters. 00:00:22 And at the end of this update, 00:00:24 it will be a privilege to share with you 00:00:28 our reassuring yeartext for 2022. 00:00:34 To begin, though, 00:00:36 I have some important facts 00:00:38 about COVID-19 vaccines to share with you. 00:00:43 Because we love you all very much 00:00:47 and because this is a life-and-death matter, 00:00:50 we have decided to share what we know about this with you. 00:00:56 Since June 1 in the United States, 00:01:00 1,407 publishers 00:01:03 have been hospitalized 00:01:06 because of COVID-19 or its symptoms. 00:01:10 Of these, less than 1 percent were fully vaccinated. 00:01:16 Sadly, in that same time period in the United States, 00:01:21 486 of our brothers 00:01:25 died from COVID-19. 00:01:29 Of these, less than 1 percent 00:01:33 were fully vaccinated. 00:01:35 And our understanding is 00:01:37 that the vaccinated individuals who died 00:01:41 had serious underlying health problems. 00:01:45 These statistics are very sobering. 00:01:51 We can also tell you 00:01:53 that of more than 22,000 Bethelites 00:01:56 and 44,000 special full-time servants in the field 00:02:00 who have been vaccinated, 00:02:02 we have received only four reports 00:02:07 of severe adverse reactions 00:02:10 that may be linked to the vaccination. 00:02:13 But thankfully it’s been reported 00:02:16 that all of these are stable, 00:02:19 and their condition is under control. 00:02:23 We share this information with you 00:02:26 so you can carefully consider it 00:02:29 when making your personal decision regarding vaccination. 00:02:34 We feel it would not be loving 00:02:37 to withhold these facts from you. 00:02:42 As Proverbs 3:27 says: 00:02:45 “Do not withhold good 00:02:48 from those to whom you should give it.” 00:02:53 We know it can be difficult to make a wise decision 00:02:58 when there are various opinions and conflicting reports 00:03:03 that the world provides, 00:03:05 perhaps making it hard to know what to believe. 00:03:10 But the aforementioned statistics 00:03:13 have been collected by our brothers, 00:03:17 so we can trust these figures. 00:03:21 We hope they will be useful to you. 00:03:25 We appreciate that this is not a scientific study, 00:03:29 but we can tell you what our brothers have observed. 00:03:34 And because we have this information, 00:03:37 we want you to know what we know. 00:03:42 Of course, we also need to consider 00:03:45 the direction provided by the superior authorities. 00:03:49 In some lands, 00:03:51 governments are enacting laws that all of their citizens 00:03:55 must be vaccinated. 00:03:58 In other lands, it is strongly encouraged. 00:04:02 How do we react to such direction? 00:04:05 The Remain in God’s Love book 00:04:08 made a fine point when it said this: 00:04:12 “Today, Jehovah allows governments 00:04:17 “to have some authority, 00:04:19 “and we should respect them. 00:04:21 “They organize countries and communities 00:04:24 “so that they function smoothly 00:04:27 “and provide people with necessary services. 00:04:30 “Christians obey the instruction found 00:04:33 “at Romans 13:1-7. 00:04:37 “We respect ‘the superior authorities’ 00:04:40 “and obey the laws of the country 00:04:43 “or community where we live. 00:04:46 “These laws may affect our family, 00:04:48 business, or possessions.” 00:04:52 Also, the study note 00:04:54 on Romans 13:5 says this: 00:04:58 “A Christian submits to human governments 00:05:01 when a command does not contradict God’s laws.” 00:05:07 So this is another serious factor 00:05:10 that we each should carefully and prayerfully consider 00:05:13 in making our decision. 00:05:17 As a result of having over 99 percent 00:05:20 of the United States Bethel family fully vaccinated, 00:05:24 we have been able to open up more activities within Bethel 00:05:28 in accord with New York State regulations. 00:05:32 This allowed the Bethel family 00:05:35 to have the Gilead meal together 00:05:37 and then the Gilead graduation on September 11. 00:05:44 No guests from outside Bethel were present for either occasion. 00:05:52 Also, fully vaccinated Bethel family members in the United States 00:05:57 have received permission to take personal time 00:06:01 to visit family and friends, 00:06:04 taking proper COVID-19 precautions while away from Bethel. 00:06:10 In fact, as of September 24, 00:06:14 over 3,975 00:06:18 fully vaccinated Bethel family members 00:06:20 in the United States have traveled 00:06:23 during August and September. 00:06:27 Upon their return to Bethel, 00:06:29 they are put on a form of adjusted quarantine 00:06:33 and a few days later are tested for COVID-19. 00:06:38 Of these 3,975, 00:06:41 we have had just four COVID cases. 00:06:45 Two got mild cases of COVID at their destination, 00:06:50 and it resolved before they returned to Bethel. 00:06:54 The other two who tested positive on return 00:06:59 also had minor symptoms that quickly resolved. 00:07:05 All four have fully recovered. 00:07:10 We’re happy to report 00:07:12 that this arrangement will soon go into effect for our Bethelites 00:07:16 at most branches around the world. 00:07:19 We are able to do this at branches where more than 90 percent 00:07:23 of the Bethel family are fully vaccinated. 00:07:28 Those branches are getting back into 00:07:30 a more normal routine. 00:07:41 But now we have a brief update 00:07:44 about how our brothers are doing 00:07:46 after recent natural disasters in Haiti 00:07:50 and in the United States. 00:07:53 As reported in JW News, 00:07:56 a magnitude 7.2 earthquake 00:07:59 struck Haiti 00:08:01 on Saturday, August 14. 00:08:05 Sadly, three Witnesses died 00:08:09 as a result. 00:08:11 Our hearts go out to the families of these ones. 00:08:17 The branch office recently provided this report 00:08:20 on the relief efforts. 00:08:24 The earthquake destroyed approximately 130 of the homes 00:08:27 where our brothers were living 00:08:31 and damaged another 250. 00:08:35 On Monday, August 16 (two days after the earthquake), 00:08:39 tarps arrived for many of our brothers 00:08:43 just ahead of the rains of Tropical Storm Grace. 00:08:47 Since then, 00:08:49 we have distributed over 3 tons of supplies 00:08:53 and 28 tons of food to our brothers. 00:08:56 Tents, tarps, blankets, 00:08:59 mattresses, water filtration kits, 00:09:02 solar-powered flashlights, and solar chargers have been distributed. 00:09:06 Additionally, volunteers are working hard 00:09:09 to evaluate and inspect the homes of our brothers. 00:09:14 Although in difficult economic situations themselves, 00:09:18 the local brothers in the capital of Port-au-Prince 00:09:22 have generously donated 00:09:25 tons of food. 00:09:30 The United States experienced Hurricane Ida, 00:09:33 which made landfall 00:09:34 as a Category 4 hurricane 00:09:38 on August 29. 00:09:40 The storm passed from the Gulf Coast 00:09:42 to the northeast. 00:09:44 The branch office reports that as of September 20, 00:09:48 2,788 of our brothers 00:09:52 who evacuated are not yet able to return 00:09:56 to their homes. 00:09:58 It is estimated to be several weeks 00:10:01 before the power is restored in some areas. 00:10:05 The storm damaged over 1,800 homes of our brothers 00:10:10 and destroyed 28 more. 00:10:13 In addition, 58 Kingdom Halls 00:10:17 and 4 Assembly Halls were damaged. 00:10:21 Under the direction of the circuit overseers, 00:10:24 local brothers and sisters quickly began to stabilize 00:10:28 hundreds of homes damaged by the storm. 00:10:33 Two Disaster Relief Committees are providing tarps, 00:10:36 materials, food, 00:10:38 water, and generators 00:10:41 when local supplies are exhausted. 00:10:44 All of this activity is being carried out 00:10:46 with proper safety standards 00:10:49 and appropriate COVID-19 precautions. 00:10:54 We are grateful 00:10:56 for the hard work of all who are helping with the relief efforts, 00:11:01 including all of you who have contributed financially. 00:11:06 Thank you 00:11:08 for your generosity and kindness. 00:11:13 But now let’s discuss our 2022 yeartext. 00:11:19 When the pandemic began, 00:11:22 we had no idea it would still be of concern 00:11:26 one and a half years later. 00:11:30 It has impacted the economy of many lands. 00:11:34 As a result, people, including many of our brothers and sisters, 00:11:39 do not have much materially. 00:11:42 Some only have meager provisions, 00:11:45 including a scarcity of food. 00:11:50 It reminds us of faithful David of old. 00:11:54 He was not being hounded by a deadly virus. 00:11:58 But he was running and trying to hide from jealous King Saul, 00:12:03 who was intent on killing David and those with him. 00:12:07 Provisions were low, 00:12:10 there was very little to eat, 00:12:12 and David lost his home for a time, 00:12:15 hiding out in caves in the wilderness. 00:12:19 While things were very bleak materially, 00:12:23 it was at this time 00:12:25 that David composed the beautiful song 00:12:28 recorded in Psalm 34. 00:12:32 Was he distracted from his worship of Jehovah? 00:12:36 Was he gloomy and dejected during that difficult time? 00:12:41 Well, let’s read a few verses from Psalm 34 00:12:45 and see how David was (regarding his attitude) 00:12:50 —Psalm 34:1. 00:12:54 “I will praise Jehovah at all times; 00:12:59 his praise will be on my lips constantly.” 00:13:04 And then in verse 3, 00:13:07 he encouraged others to join him 00:13:10 in praising Jehovah. 00:13:12 In verse 3, David said: 00:13:14 “Magnify Jehovah along with me; 00:13:19 let us exalt his name together.” 00:13:23 What a beautiful attitude 00:13:26 despite the hardships he was facing at the time! 00:13:32 So many of you dear brothers and sisters are struggling economically 00:13:37 during this time of pandemic and uncertainty. 00:13:42 But the Governing Body wanted me to share with you 00:13:45 especially verse 10 of Psalm 34 00:13:49 —verse 10. 00:13:51 “Even strong young lions 00:13:54 “have been reduced to hunger, 00:13:57 “but those seeking Jehovah 00:14:00 will lack nothing good.” 00:14:04 The last part of that verse is the yeartext for 2022. 00:14:09 “Those seeking Jehovah 00:14:12 will lack nothing good”—Psalm 34:10. 00:14:17 Now, obviously, as we’ve been discussing, 00:14:20 David was not referring 00:14:23 to an abundance of physical sustenance. 00:14:27 We remember the 23rd Psalm, 00:14:29 where David said something similar. 00:14:32 There he said: “Jehovah is my Shepherd. 00:14:37 I will lack nothing.” 00:14:40 The rest of that Psalm refers to spiritual blessings enjoyed, 00:14:44 even though he admitted he walked 00:14:48 “in the valley of deep shadow.” 00:14:52 Throughout that Psalm, 00:14:54 he extols the spiritual blessings he enjoyed. 00:14:58 He concluded by saying at Psalm 23:6: 00:15:01 “And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah 00:15:05 for all my days.” 00:15:08 And that is the prayer 00:15:10 of all of Jehovah’s faithful servants 00:15:13 in these critical times. 00:15:16 Dear friends, 00:15:18 the coronavirus is not the worst trial to strike out at all mankind, 00:15:23 and it won’t be the last. 00:15:26 We can expect things to deteriorate even further 00:15:30 as these last days 00:15:33 march on to their end. 00:15:37 Economic hardship and other trials 00:15:40 will come and go. 00:15:43 But like the psalmist, 00:15:45 we can agree that the 2022 yeartext 00:15:49 will prove true! 00:15:52 Spiritually speaking, 00:15:54 as Psalm 34:10 states: 00:15:57 “Those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good.” 00:16:04 Dear brothers and sisters, 00:16:07 we truly and deeply 00:16:10 love you all very much! 00:16:15 From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 00:16:20 this is JW Broadcasting®!
00:00:01 Dear brothers, sisters, 00:00:04 faithful children, and interested ones, 00:00:08 it is a great pleasure to be with you for this update. 00:00:13 We have many good things to share with you, 00:00:15 including an update 00:00:18 on our response to several major natural disasters. 00:00:22 And at the end of this update, 00:00:24 it will be a privilege to share with you 00:00:28 our reassuring yeartext for 2022. 00:00:34 To begin, though, 00:00:36 I have some important facts 00:00:38 about COVID-19 vaccines to share with you. 00:00:43 Because we love you all very much 00:00:47 and because this is a life-and-death matter, 00:00:50 we have decided to share what we know about this with you. 00:00:56 Since June 1 in the United States, 00:01:00 1,407 publishers 00:01:03 have been hospitalized 00:01:06 because of COVID-19 or its symptoms. 00:01:10 Of these, less than 1 percent were fully vaccinated. 00:01:16 Sadly, in that same time period in the United States, 00:01:21 486 of our brothers 00:01:25 died from COVID-19. 00:01:29 Of these, less than 1 percent 00:01:33 were fully vaccinated. 00:01:35 And our understanding is 00:01:37 that the vaccinated individuals who died 00:01:41 had serious underlying health problems. 00:01:45 These statistics are very sobering. 00:01:51 We can also tell you 00:01:53 that of more than 22,000 Bethelites 00:01:56 and 44,000 special full-time servants in the field 00:02:00 who have been vaccinated, 00:02:02 we have received only four reports 00:02:07 of severe adverse reactions 00:02:10 that may be linked to the vaccination. 00:02:13 But thankfully it’s been reported 00:02:16 that all of these are stable, 00:02:19 and their condition is under control. 00:02:23 We share this information with you 00:02:26 so you can carefully consider it 00:02:29 when making your personal decision regarding vaccination. 00:02:34 We feel it would not be loving 00:02:37 to withhold these facts from you. 00:02:42 As Proverbs 3:27 says: 00:02:45 “Do not withhold good 00:02:48 from those to whom you should give it.” 00:02:53 We know it can be difficult to make a wise decision 00:02:58 when there are various opinions and conflicting reports 00:03:03 that the world provides, 00:03:05 perhaps making it hard to know what to believe. 00:03:10 But the aforementioned statistics 00:03:13 have been collected by our brothers, 00:03:17 so we can trust these figures. 00:03:21 We hope they will be useful to you. 00:03:25 We appreciate that this is not a scientific study, 00:03:29 but we can tell you what our brothers have observed. 00:03:34 And because we have this information, 00:03:37 we want you to know what we know. 00:03:42 Of course, we also need to consider 00:03:45 the direction provided by the superior authorities. 00:03:49 In some lands, 00:03:51 governments are enacting laws that all of their citizens 00:03:55 must be vaccinated. 00:03:58 In other lands, it is strongly encouraged. 00:04:02 How do we react to such direction? 00:04:05 The Remain in God’s Love book 00:04:08 made a fine point when it said this: 00:04:12 “Today, Jehovah allows governments 00:04:17 “to have some authority, 00:04:19 “and we should respect them. 00:04:21 “They organize countries and communities 00:04:24 “so that they function smoothly 00:04:27 “and provide people with necessary services. 00:04:30 “Christians obey the instruction found 00:04:33 “at Romans 13:1-7. 00:04:37 “We respect ‘the superior authorities’ 00:04:40 “and obey the laws of the country 00:04:43 “or community where we live. 00:04:46 “These laws may affect our family, 00:04:48 business, or possessions.” 00:04:52 Also, the study note 00:04:54 on Romans 13:5 says this: 00:04:58 “A Christian submits to human governments 00:05:01 when a command does not contradict God’s laws.” 00:05:07 So this is another serious factor 00:05:10 that we each should carefully and prayerfully consider 00:05:13 in making our decision. 00:05:17 As a result of having over 99 percent 00:05:20 of the United States Bethel family fully vaccinated, 00:05:24 we have been able to open up more activities within Bethel 00:05:28 in accord with New York State regulations. 00:05:32 This allowed the Bethel family 00:05:35 to have the Gilead meal together 00:05:37 and then the Gilead graduation on September 11. 00:05:44 No guests from outside Bethel were present for either occasion. 00:05:52 Also, fully vaccinated Bethel family members in the United States 00:05:57 have received permission to take personal time 00:06:01 to visit family and friends, 00:06:04 taking proper COVID-19 precautions while away from Bethel. 00:06:10 In fact, as of September 24, 00:06:14 over 3,975 00:06:18 fully vaccinated Bethel family members 00:06:20 in the United States have traveled 00:06:23 during August and September. 00:06:27 Upon their return to Bethel, 00:06:29 they are put on a form of adjusted quarantine 00:06:33 and a few days later are tested for COVID-19. 00:06:38 Of these 3,975, 00:06:41 we have had just four COVID cases. 00:06:45 Two got mild cases of COVID at their destination, 00:06:50 and it resolved before they returned to Bethel. 00:06:54 The other two who tested positive on return 00:06:59 also had minor symptoms that quickly resolved. 00:07:05 All four have fully recovered. 00:07:10 We’re happy to report 00:07:12 that this arrangement will soon go into effect for our Bethelites 00:07:16 at most branches around the world. 00:07:19 We are able to do this at branches where more than 90 percent 00:07:23 of the Bethel family are fully vaccinated. 00:07:28 Those branches are getting back into 00:07:30 a more normal routine. 00:07:41 But now we have a brief update 00:07:44 about how our brothers are doing 00:07:46 after recent natural disasters in Haiti 00:07:50 and in the United States. 00:07:53 As reported in JW News, 00:07:56 a magnitude 7.2 earthquake 00:07:59 struck Haiti 00:08:01 on Saturday, August 14. 00:08:05 Sadly, three Witnesses died 00:08:09 as a result. 00:08:11 Our hearts go out to the families of these ones. 00:08:17 The branch office recently provided this report 00:08:20 on the relief efforts. 00:08:24 The earthquake destroyed approximately 130 of the homes 00:08:27 where our brothers were living 00:08:31 and damaged another 250. 00:08:35 On Monday, August 16 (two days after the earthquake), 00:08:39 tarps arrived for many of our brothers 00:08:43 just ahead of the rains of Tropical Storm Grace. 00:08:47 Since then, 00:08:49 we have distributed over 3 tons of supplies 00:08:53 and 28 tons of food to our brothers. 00:08:56 Tents, tarps, blankets, 00:08:59 mattresses, water filtration kits, 00:09:02 solar-powered flashlights, and solar chargers have been distributed. 00:09:06 Additionally, volunteers are working hard 00:09:09 to evaluate and inspect the homes of our brothers. 00:09:14 Although in difficult economic situations themselves, 00:09:18 the local brothers in the capital of Port-au-Prince 00:09:22 have generously donated 00:09:25 tons of food. 00:09:30 The United States experienced Hurricane Ida, 00:09:33 which made landfall 00:09:34 as a Category 4 hurricane 00:09:38 on August 29. 00:09:40 The storm passed from the Gulf Coast 00:09:42 to the northeast. 00:09:44 The branch office reports that as of September 20, 00:09:48 2,788 of our brothers 00:09:52 who evacuated are not yet able to return 00:09:56 to their homes. 00:09:58 It is estimated to be several weeks 00:10:01 before the power is restored in some areas. 00:10:05 The storm damaged over 1,800 homes of our brothers 00:10:10 and destroyed 28 more. 00:10:13 In addition, 58 Kingdom Halls 00:10:17 and 4 Assembly Halls were damaged. 00:10:21 Under the direction of the circuit overseers, 00:10:24 local brothers and sisters quickly began to stabilize 00:10:28 hundreds of homes damaged by the storm. 00:10:33 Two Disaster Relief Committees are providing tarps, 00:10:36 materials, food, 00:10:38 water, and generators 00:10:41 when local supplies are exhausted. 00:10:44 All of this activity is being carried out 00:10:46 with proper safety standards 00:10:49 and appropriate COVID-19 precautions. 00:10:54 We are grateful 00:10:56 for the hard work of all who are helping with the relief efforts, 00:11:01 including all of you who have contributed financially. 00:11:06 Thank you 00:11:08 for your generosity and kindness. 00:11:13 But now let’s discuss our 2022 yeartext. 00:11:19 When the pandemic began, 00:11:22 we had no idea it would still be of concern 00:11:26 one and a half years later. 00:11:30 It has impacted the economy of many lands. 00:11:34 As a result, people, including many of our brothers and sisters, 00:11:39 do not have much materially. 00:11:42 Some only have meager provisions, 00:11:45 including a scarcity of food. 00:11:50 It reminds us of faithful David of old. 00:11:54 He was not being hounded by a deadly virus. 00:11:58 But he was running and trying to hide from jealous King Saul, 00:12:03 who was intent on killing David and those with him. 00:12:07 Provisions were low, 00:12:10 there was very little to eat, 00:12:12 and David lost his home for a time, 00:12:15 hiding out in caves in the wilderness. 00:12:19 While things were very bleak materially, 00:12:23 it was at this time 00:12:25 that David composed the beautiful song 00:12:28 recorded in Psalm 34. 00:12:32 Was he distracted from his worship of Jehovah? 00:12:36 Was he gloomy and dejected during that difficult time? 00:12:41 Well, let’s read a few verses from Psalm 34 00:12:45 and see how David was (regarding his attitude) 00:12:50 —Psalm 34:1. 00:12:54 “I will praise Jehovah at all times; 00:12:59 his praise will be on my lips constantly.” 00:13:04 And then in verse 3, 00:13:07 he encouraged others to join him 00:13:10 in praising Jehovah. 00:13:12 In verse 3, David said: 00:13:14 “Magnify Jehovah along with me; 00:13:19 let us exalt his name together.” 00:13:23 What a beautiful attitude 00:13:26 despite the hardships he was facing at the time! 00:13:32 So many of you dear brothers and sisters are struggling economically 00:13:37 during this time of pandemic and uncertainty. 00:13:42 But the Governing Body wanted me to share with you 00:13:45 especially verse 10 of Psalm 34 00:13:49 —verse 10. 00:13:51 “Even strong young lions 00:13:54 “have been reduced to hunger, 00:13:57 “but those seeking Jehovah 00:14:00 will lack nothing good.” 00:14:04 The last part of that verse is the yeartext for 2022. 00:14:09 “Those seeking Jehovah 00:14:12 will lack nothing good”—Psalm 34:10. 00:14:17 Now, obviously, as we’ve been discussing, 00:14:20 David was not referring 00:14:23 to an abundance of physical sustenance. 00:14:27 We remember the 23rd Psalm, 00:14:29 where David said something similar. 00:14:32 There he said: “Jehovah is my Shepherd. 00:14:37 I will lack nothing.” 00:14:40 The rest of that Psalm refers to spiritual blessings enjoyed, 00:14:44 even though he admitted he walked 00:14:48 “in the valley of deep shadow.” 00:14:52 Throughout that Psalm, 00:14:54 he extols the spiritual blessings he enjoyed. 00:14:58 He concluded by saying at Psalm 23:6: 00:15:01 “And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah 00:15:05 for all my days.” 00:15:08 And that is the prayer 00:15:10 of all of Jehovah’s faithful servants 00:15:13 in these critical times. 00:15:16 Dear friends, 00:15:18 the coronavirus is not the worst trial to strike out at all mankind, 00:15:23 and it won’t be the last. 00:15:26 We can expect things to deteriorate even further 00:15:30 as these last days 00:15:33 march on to their end. 00:15:37 Economic hardship and other trials 00:15:40 will come and go. 00:15:43 But like the psalmist, 00:15:45 we can agree that the 2022 yeartext 00:15:49 will prove true! 00:15:52 Spiritually speaking, 00:15:54 as Psalm 34:10 states: 00:15:57 “Those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good.” 00:16:04 Dear brothers and sisters, 00:16:07 we truly and deeply 00:16:10 love you all very much! 00:16:15 From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 00:16:20 this is JW Broadcasting®!
