The Watchtower magazine, October 1, 1950, page 352

We fear God, to whom we are responsible, and hence we trust in his protection and, like sheep under his Right Shepherd Jesus Christ, we feed in green spiritual pastures and lie down without fear of being molested by disturbers within the organization.

The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 1951, pages 184 and 185

Early Help for Surviving the World’s End – The divine presence in the midst of the organization produces a sense of security among those in it…

So those who trust in him will last forever, because they take him at his word and seek refuge with his organization.

The Watchtower magazine, May 1, 1957, pages 281 and 284 (full article)

Respect for Jehovah’s organization means to trust our proved, faithful brothers. These are the ones who through much hardship and experience have demonstrated that the spirit of God is with them. The rich blessing that has been poured out upon the visible organization is evidence that the governing body and those who represent it are deserving of our full support and trust. This we can demonstrate only by accepting every provision as coming from the Lord through the “faithful and discreet slave.” It means that those who are selected as servants in the congregation should gladly accept their appointments as representatives of the Lord through the governing body and that they should faithfully discharge the obligations of their appointments as though it were the governing body itself acting. It means that all in the congregation should perform all their works with a recognition of theocratic counsel emanating from the true channel. It means engaging in the house-to-house work, making back-calls and conducting home Bible studies, and, particularly now, giving our full support to the magazine work. It means preparing ourselves thoroughly to participate in every special literature campaign that is arranged for by the Society. It means for those who are in position to do so to enroll as pioneers and for those who are already enrolled to consider seriously the special pioneer work if the opportunity is opened. It means supporting the Society with our material contributions as well. It means helping one another with a real spirit of brotherly love, constantly on the alert for an opportunity to show our appreciation to Jehovah and his motherly organization for their goodness to us. How better can this be done than by demonstrating our genuine affection for his children, our brothers?

We all know we must always seek to advance in theocratic education and conduct. We constantly receive counsel from God’s organization through the columns of The Watchtower telling us how we should conduct ourselves in theocratic living. Now if we immediately forget these things and refuse to apply them in our daily lives—not even making the effort—how disrespectful that is of the teaching or law of our mother!…

Showing respect for Jehovah’s organization really resolves itself down to our attitude toward God’s visible channel and the trust that we place in our proved, faithful brothers. If we have become thoroughly convinced that this is Jehovah’s organization, that he is guiding and directing his people, then we shall not be unsettled by anything that happens. If something comes up that we do not understand we will wait patiently until it is made thoroughly clear to us. If we feel sure something is wrong we will ‘keep the commandment’ of our Father and take whatever theocratic steps are open to us and then wait on Jehovah. We will not ‘forsake our mother’s teaching’ by immediately beginning to criticize and find fault. We will realize that Jehovah knows what is going on in his organization, and if he is willing to permit it, who are we to insist it should be different? If we really have faith, we will know that if it is wrong he will straighten it out eventually, and we are far safer inside his organization even with these minor difficulties than we would be on the outside where only chaos and destruction await us.

The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 1958, page 187

You are the flock of God, and in your association with God’s people in the New World society you will not be harmed, for only faithful shepherds will continue to serve.

The Watchtower magazine, May 1, 1960, page 260

In particular should all those dedicated Christians in the New World society examine themselves when tempted to murmur. Jehovah was leading his organization before we ever became a part of it; so let us humbly put our faith and trust in him and in the instruments he has chosen to act as overseers in various capacities. If conditions really do need correcting, have patience and faith that God will correct them in his due time. In the meantime, do not make yourself and others unhappy by murmuring.

The Watchtower magazine, May 1, 1974, page 265

You youths should put real confidence in these adults in the Christian congregation, especially the “older men” or elders.

The Watchtower magazine, July 15, 1974, page 441

The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization.

The Watchtower magazine, September 1, 1974, page 516

“Put bluntly, while non-Witnesses can trust only their kin (and not always them), Witnesses can trust both kin and fellow Witnesses.”… there are no more honest people in the world than Jehovah’s Witnesses…A world filled with people like them would hardly need locks, would it?. ..Would it not be a pleasure to associate with such honest, peace-loving people?

The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 1975, page 62

At the Kingdom Hall you can enjoy fellowship with persons who will not try to cheat or “use” you.

The Watchtower magazine, July 1, 1976, page 401

Are some still inclined to view the elders from a mere human, fleshly viewpoint? Are some reluctant to discuss pressing personal problems with an elder?

The Watchtower magazine, July 15, 1977, page 429

Trust Jehovah, Not Man – So, in comparing the works of God with the works of man, we can ask: Who deserves our complete trust? Surely it is not man, even with all his scientific advancements. The tremendous damage and confusion he already has caused on earth show that he does not have the answers to the problems of life and cannot be trusted to get them. As the World Book Encyclopedia observes:

…Medical scientists and physiologists do not know the cause or cure of cancer or how to cure the various virus diseases. . . . Psychologists do not know all the causes of mental illness.”

Jehovah does know the answers to all these things. And he certainly has the wisdom and ability to provide the solutions to mankind’s plaguing problems.

The Watchtower magazine, November 15, 1985, page 15

Do You Trust Authority? – Building up this trust is also important. The elders in the congregation are a part of God’s provision to protect us. Elders need to act in a way that deserves trust, and the rest of the congregation needs to learn to give them their trust. (Isaiah 32:1, 2; Hebrews 13:7, 17) Even more important, we should learn to trust “the faithful and discreet slave.”—Matthew 24:45-47.

Enemies may spread lies about God’s organization. (1 Timothy 4:1, 2) In one country, some Christians were misled to believe that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses had forsaken Christianity, whereas they themselves were still remaining faithful to it. A good way to prepare to resist attacks like this is to build a strong love for your brothers and learn to trust in Jehovah’s arrangement of things.

The Watchtower magazine, November 15, 1986, page 12

How secure we feel in this spiritual paradise that is the product of God’s powerful holy spirit, “which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.” (Acts 5:32) Contrast that with the unwholesome spirit that permeates this world under “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil.

The Watchtower magazine, December 15, 1993, page 13

Our heavenly Father admonishes us: “Do not lean upon your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) Worldly counselors and psychologists can never hope to approach the wisdom and understanding that Jehovah displays. “His understanding is beyond recounting.” (Psalm 147:5) Rather than lean on the wisdom of prominent men of the world or on our own uninformed emotions, let us look to Jehovah, his Word, and the elders in the Christian congregation for mature advice.

Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (1995), page 160

Find Security Among God’s People (full chapter)

The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 1997, pages 27 and 28

Are You Afraid to Trust Others? – Trust in the Congregation – Elders meet Scriptural requirements before being ‘appointed by holy spirit.’ Knowing this will strengthen your confidence in them. (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:5-9) What you discuss with an elder will remain strictly confidential. Being trustworthy is one of his qualifications.—Compare Exodus 18:21; Nehemiah 7:2.

The elders in the congregation are “keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) Does this not move you to place your trust in these men? Naturally, not all elders excel in the same qualities. Some may seem more approachable, kind, or understanding than others. (2 Corinthians 12:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8, 11) Why not confide in an elder with whom you feel at ease?

These men are not paid professionals. Rather, they are “gifts in men,” provided by Jehovah to help you. (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13; Galatians 6:1) How? Skillfully using the Bible, they will apply its healing power to your personal situation. (Psalm 107:20; Proverbs 12:18; Hebrews 4:12, 13) They will pray with you and for you…

This results in an atmosphere of trust in the congregation.

The Watchtower magazine, August 15, 1998, page 12

Those who view Jehovah as their confidence also show confidence in the men Jehovah chooses to use in the outworking of his purposes… For us today, it means having confidence in “the faithful and discreet slave” appointed to give us our spiritual “food at the proper time,” as well as in those from among them who form the Governing Body.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 2000, page 16

Elders, if you cultivate a sincere, heartfelt interest in your brothers and are willing to give of yourself in their behalf, they will sense your concern. They will see it in your facial expression, hear it in your tone of voice, and observe it in your kind manner. Such genuine warmth and concern can create a trusting atmosphere in which it is easier for others, including children, to approach you. One Christian woman explains why she was able to open up to a certain elder: “He spoke with me in a tender and compassionate manner. Otherwise, I would probably not have said a word. He made me feel safe.”

Kingdom Ministry, August 2000, page 8

Meetings Benefit Young People – The companions found at the meetings are the best anywhere, and the spiritual atmosphere is pleasant and safe. (Ps. 133:1) No wonder that one youth said: “I go to school all day long, and it tears me down. But the meetings are like an oasis in the desert, where I am refreshed to make it through the next school day.” Another said: “I have found that close association with others who love Jehovah helps me to stay close to him.”

The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 2001, page 21

Such congregations are a protection even now, a place where Christians find safety among their brothers, under the loving care of the elders.

The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 2003, page 17

In addition, trusting in Jehovah means trusting those whom he trusts. For example, Jehovah has arranged for “the faithful and discreet slave” to care for the earthly Kingdom interests. (Matthew 24:45-47) We do not try to go it alone, and we do not ignore that appointment, for we trust in Jehovah’s arrangement. Further, elders serve in the local Christian congregation and, according to the apostle Paul, are appointed by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) By cooperating with the elder arrangement in the congregation, we also show that we trust in Jehovah.

The Watchtower magazine, April 15, 2008, page 11

especially the elders, who are qualified to give personal help and Scriptural counsel.

“Bearing Thorough Witness” About God’s Kingdom (2009), page 103

One valuable lesson we learn is that we need to trust God’s organization. Consider: The brothers in Antioch knew that the governing body was made up entirely of Christians of Jewish background. Yet, they trusted that body to settle the question of circumcision in harmony with the Scriptures. Why? The congregation was confident that Jehovah would direct matters by means of his holy spirit and the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:18, 20; Eph. 1:22, 23) When serious issues arise today, let us imitate the fine example of the believers in Antioch by trusting God’s organization and its Governing Body of anointed Christians.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 2009, page 27 (full article)

Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?

The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 2009, page 6

Can you older ones share with them in the ministry and make friends with them? Spend leisure time with young ones, creating an atmosphere of trust and friendship.

The Watchtower magazine, August 15, 2012, page 18

Brother Herd referred to Psalm 92:12-14 and asked, “How does Jehovah enable us to flourish?” He answered: “In the spiritual paradise, God keeps us warm, protects us, and gives us refreshing waters of truth. Let us thank him for that.”

Draw Close to Jehovah (2014), page 227

Our affection must be genuine, heartfelt. If it is, we will earn the trust of our fellow believers, for they will know that we are what we appear to be. Such sincerity paves the way for open and honest relationships between Christians and helps to create a trusting atmosphere in the congregation.

The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 2014, page 21

Once you understand your employment options, you need sound advice… Also, the elders in your congregation are spiritually qualified men who can guide you.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 2014, page 20

In the safe haven of our congregations, we find needed guidance and protection, for it is there that faithful men who serve as elders provide Scriptural help and counsel. (Gal. 6:1) Much of Jehovah’s tender care reaches us through these “gifts in men.” (Eph. 4:7, 8) How should we respond? Willing submission and obedience result in God’s blessing.

The Watchtower magazine, May 15, 2015, page 8

When we reflect on those words, we cannot fail to appreciate a vital source of refreshment—association with our spiritual brothers and sisters at Christian meetings. We certainly agree with the psalmist who sang: “How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”—Psalm 133:1.

Indeed, our associates at those gatherings for worship are the best, and the spiritual atmosphere is safe and pleasant. For good reason, then, one young Christian said: “I go to school all day long, and it tears me down. But the meetings are like an oasis in the desert, where I am refreshed to make it through the next school day.” A Nigerian youth remarked: “I have found that close association with others who love Jehovah helps me to stay close to him.”

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2015, page 17

“CALL THE ELDERS” – If we are struggling with wrong sexual desires, fellow Christians are another source of help that we can turn to. Of course, discussing with others problems of such a personal nature is not easy. But courageously placing ourselves under the kindly scrutiny of a mature Christian may prevent us from rationalizing any wrong desires. (Prov. 18:1; Heb. 3:12, 13) Talking about our weakness with a mature, spiritually qualified Christian may help us to identify blind spots. This can help us to make the necessary adjustments in order to remain in Jehovah’s love.

Christian elders are especially qualified to help us.

Next: Never Without Parents