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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Short description|American Jehovah's Witness (1925–2019)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Don Alden Adams
| image = DonAdams_200907.png
| caption = Adams in 2009
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|1|16}}<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=hi6NDwAAQBAJ&dq=don+alden+adams+1925&pg=PA54 Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses (2019), pg. 54]</ref><ref>[https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/300040380:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=04540844aa05a113bee404d1552664a3&_phsrc=Dqh254&_phstart=successSource Don Alden Adams in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947]</ref>
| birth_place = [[Oak Park, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|12|30|1925|1|16}}
| death_place =
| occupation = President of the [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania]] (2000–2014)<ref name="Ciranko">{{cite book|author=George D. Chryssides|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Continuity and Change|page=143}}</ref>
| signature = Signature of Don Alden Adams.png
| movement = [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
| spouse = Dolores Adams
| alma_mater =
| education =
| known_for =
}}
{{Jehovah's Witnesses}}
{{Jehovah's Witnesses}}
'''Don Alden Adams''' (January 16, 1925 – December 30, 2019) was president of the [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania]] (2000–2014),<ref>''The World Almanac and Book of Facts, Volume 2003'' by World Almanac Education Group, Inc., Press Pub. Co. (The New York World)</ref><ref>''Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2009, Volume 2009'' by Eileen W. Lindner, Abingdon Press, p. 131</ref><ref name="Ciranko" /> the principal [[corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses|corporation of Jehovah's Witnesses]].


== Biography ==
'''Don A. Adams''' is the current president of the [[Watch Tower Society]], the most important of the [[Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses]].
Born in January 16, 1925 in [[Oak Park, Illinois]],<ref name="Charles W. Bell 2000, page 24">"Changing the Watch At the Watchtower" by Charles W. Bell, ''New York Daily News'', October 14, 2000, p. 24</ref> Adams grew up in a big family, which originally had connections to the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopal church]]. His mother showed interest in [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and gradually the children also became interested. His father initially showed no interest, but involved himself in a legal case when one of Don's younger brothers was not exempted from military service, and eventually became a member.<ref>''Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses'' by George D. Chryssides, 2008, Rowman & Littlefield, p. 5, "[Don Adams'] father, William Karl Adams, was baptized in 1952."</ref><ref>"Seeking First the Kingdom – A Secure and Happy Life", ''The Watchtower'', March 1, 2003, p. 29</ref>


After serving as a full-time preacher, Adams was invited in late 1944 to serve at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York,<ref>''The Watchtower'', June 1, 1985, p. 28</ref><ref>''The Watchtower'', December 15, 2000</ref><ref>''The Watchtower'', April 1, 1957, p. 200</ref><ref>''The Watchtower'', March 1, 2003, p. 23, "Seeking First the Kingdom{{snd}}A Secure and Happy Life"</ref> where he was secretary to Society president, [[Nathan H. Knorr]]. By the 1960s, Adams served directly under the [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses|Governing Body]] as a zone overseer, visiting various countries to audit branch offices and meet with Witness missionaries.<ref>"Ivory Coast", ''1981 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses'', p. 174</ref><ref>''The King's Highway: El Cannino Real : God's Highway to Peace and Happiness'' by Kenneth R. Guindon, 1996, Ignatius Press, p. 89</ref> Later, Adams directed world missionary activities,<ref>"Changing the Watch At the Watchtower" by Charles W. Bell, ''New York Daily News'', October 14, 2000, p. 24, "Among his previous assignments, Adams...directed world missionary activities"</ref> and served on the "Bethel Home Committee".<ref>"New Missionaries Urged: "Stay Loyal!"", ''The Watchtower'', November 15, 1982, p. 27</ref>
Born about [[1925]] in [[Illinois]], [[United States|U.S.]], he grew up in a big family. His family originally had connections to the [[Episcopal]] church. His mother showed interest in [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] from one point and gradually got the children interested. His father, in the beginning, did not show any real interest. Don began as a full time preacher and hence was exempted from any country military service. One younger brother was not exempted. This led to the father involving himself in a legal case for the son against the government. He later also helped other Jehovah's Witnesses. Having become interested partially because of this, he became baptized as a Witness some years thereafter.


In 2000, the ''New York Daily News'' described Adams as "a longtime insider ... at the world headquarters in Brooklyn Heights."<ref name="Charles W. Bell 2000, page 24"/> ''The Washington Post'' described Adams as "a 50-year veteran of the organization,"<ref>"Jehovah's Witnesses Order Shake-Up" by Richard N. Ostling, ''The Washington Post'', October 9, 2000, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080905195000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20001009/aponline235956_000.htm As Retrieved 2009-09-01]</ref> which has been restated in subsequent publications.<ref>''The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions'' by Ron Rhodes, Zondervan, 2001, pp. 85–86</ref><ref>''A Guide to New Religious Movements'' by Ronald M. Enroth, InterVarsity Press, 2005, p. 31</ref> Adams also served on the Publishing Committee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20151015/helpers-governing-body-committees/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627205008/http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20151015/helpers-governing-body-committees |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |title=Helpers to the Governing Body Committees {{!}} Study}}</ref>
Don and two brothers began at the headquarters in [[New York]]. He filled various offices in the organization in the following years. Some of the siblings were missionaries and served for a period in [[Dominican Republic]]. Among his previous assignments, Don was secretary to [[Nathan H. Knorr]], the society's third president, and directed world missionary activities. He also participated in administrative works and visited places around the world together with his wife.


==Watch Tower Society presidency==
In late [[2000]], he was called to be the president of the society after [[Milton G. Henschel]] as the first of the presidents after the major organizational changes which took place at that point of time.
Adams, a Governing Body "helper",<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=October 15, 2015|page=3|title=Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear|quote=The Governing Body members make the final decisions, but the helpers implement the committee's direction and carry out whatever assignments they are given. The helpers accompany Governing Body members to special and international conventions. They may also be assigned to visit branch offices as headquarters representatives. ... Helpers to Governing Body Committees ... Publishing Committee – Don Adams}}</ref> became president of the Watch Tower Society after Governing Body member [[Milton G. Henschel]] stepped down from the position in 2000.<ref>"Jehovah's Witnesses Order Changes at Top", ''Grand Rapids Press'', Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 14, 2000, p. B5</ref><ref>"New Leadership Structure for Jehovah's Witnesses", ''Deseret News'', Salt Lake City, Utah, October 10, 2000, p. A02</ref> In that year, members of the Governing Body resigned from their executive positions of the corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses, although the periodical ''[[Christianity Today]]'' reported that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses would continue its "oversight" role.<ref>''Christianity Today'', March 5, 2001, [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/march5/12.25.html As Retrieved 2009-09-01]</ref><ref name=WP>"Jehovah's Witnesses Order Shake-Up" by Richard N. Ostling, ''The Washington Post'', October 9, 2000, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080905195000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20001009/aponline235956_000.htm As Retrieved 2009-09-01], "The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, as the group is officially known, had been run by a so-called Governing Body. Now, religious and administrative duties will be divided, with three newly formed corporations running the group's U.S. operations. President Milton Henschel, 80, and the group's six other board members resigned their posts on Saturday. ... Don Adams, a 50-year veteran of the organization, has been named president of the organization, and seven lower-ranking members will make up the new board. Henschel will remain a member of the Governing Body."</ref>


Adams' presidency was administrative, and he is not considered to have impacted the organization's ministry as have past Watch Tower Society presidents.<ref>''A Humble Defense: Evidence for the Christian Faith'' by Mark E. Moore, Mark Scott, 2004, College Press, p. 247, "Joseph F. Rutherford ... outdid Russell in writing numerous books, but his greatest strength was in the area of organization. ... During Knorr's presidency, membership grew to well over two million. ... Jehovah's Witnesses experienced some serious crises during the presidency of Frederick Franz. ... Milton Henschel served only eight years. The organization experienced a time of great restructuring. ... Don Adams, the present president, has not had enough time to impact the Society's ministry."</ref> Adams' brother, Joel Adams,<ref>"Seeking First the Kingdom{{snd}}A Secure and Happy Life", ''The Watchtower'', March 1, 2003, p. 23</ref> was a vice-president of the [[Corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses#Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc.|Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc.]], a related corporation.<ref>''Dun&Bradstreet Corporate Reports, 2011'', [http://dnb.com Retrieved 2012-03-23], {{subscription required}}</ref>
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[[Category:Watchtower Society presidents|Adams, Don A.]]


In 2014, Adams was replaced as president of the Watch Tower Society by [[Robert Ciranko]].<ref name="Ciranko" /> Adams died in December 2019, at the age of 94.<ref>[https://www.ludwig-neidhart.de/Downloads/AktualisierungenZJ.pdf Aktualisierungen zur 1986 veröffentlichten Dissertation "Die Zeugen Jehovas"]</ref><ref>[http://www.totomorti.com/tmnews-don-alden-adams.htm Don Alden Adams death notice]</ref>
[[el:Ντον Άνταμς]]

[[nl:Don Adams (Jehovah's Getuigen)]]
==References==
[[pt:Don A. Adams]]
{{Reflist|2}}

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{{succession box|title= President of [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania]]|President of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|before=[[Milton G. Henschel]]|after=[[Robert Ciranko]]|years=October 7, 2000 – 2014}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Don A.}}
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:American Jehovah's Witnesses]]
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[[Category:Watch Tower Society presidents]]
[[Category:People from Oak Park, Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 13:02, 25 July 2024

Don Alden Adams
Adams in 2009
Born(1925-01-16)January 16, 1925[1][2]
Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2019(2019-12-30) (aged 94)
OccupationPresident of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2000–2014)[3]
MovementJehovah's Witnesses
SpouseDolores Adams
Signature
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Don Alden Adams (January 16, 1925 – December 30, 2019) was president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2000–2014),[4][5][3] the principal corporation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Biography

[edit]

Born in January 16, 1925 in Oak Park, Illinois,[6] Adams grew up in a big family, which originally had connections to the Episcopal church. His mother showed interest in Jehovah's Witnesses and gradually the children also became interested. His father initially showed no interest, but involved himself in a legal case when one of Don's younger brothers was not exempted from military service, and eventually became a member.[7][8]

After serving as a full-time preacher, Adams was invited in late 1944 to serve at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York,[9][10][11][12] where he was secretary to Society president, Nathan H. Knorr. By the 1960s, Adams served directly under the Governing Body as a zone overseer, visiting various countries to audit branch offices and meet with Witness missionaries.[13][14] Later, Adams directed world missionary activities,[15] and served on the "Bethel Home Committee".[16]

In 2000, the New York Daily News described Adams as "a longtime insider ... at the world headquarters in Brooklyn Heights."[6] The Washington Post described Adams as "a 50-year veteran of the organization,"[17] which has been restated in subsequent publications.[18][19] Adams also served on the Publishing Committee.[20]

Watch Tower Society presidency

[edit]

Adams, a Governing Body "helper",[21] became president of the Watch Tower Society after Governing Body member Milton G. Henschel stepped down from the position in 2000.[22][23] In that year, members of the Governing Body resigned from their executive positions of the corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses, although the periodical Christianity Today reported that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses would continue its "oversight" role.[24][25]

Adams' presidency was administrative, and he is not considered to have impacted the organization's ministry as have past Watch Tower Society presidents.[26] Adams' brother, Joel Adams,[27] was a vice-president of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc., a related corporation.[28]

In 2014, Adams was replaced as president of the Watch Tower Society by Robert Ciranko.[3] Adams died in December 2019, at the age of 94.[29][30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses (2019), pg. 54
  2. ^ Don Alden Adams in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947
  3. ^ a b c George D. Chryssides. Jehovah's Witnesses: Continuity and Change. p. 143.
  4. ^ The World Almanac and Book of Facts, Volume 2003 by World Almanac Education Group, Inc., Press Pub. Co. (The New York World)
  5. ^ Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2009, Volume 2009 by Eileen W. Lindner, Abingdon Press, p. 131
  6. ^ a b "Changing the Watch At the Watchtower" by Charles W. Bell, New York Daily News, October 14, 2000, p. 24
  7. ^ Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses by George D. Chryssides, 2008, Rowman & Littlefield, p. 5, "[Don Adams'] father, William Karl Adams, was baptized in 1952."
  8. ^ "Seeking First the Kingdom – A Secure and Happy Life", The Watchtower, March 1, 2003, p. 29
  9. ^ The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, p. 28
  10. ^ The Watchtower, December 15, 2000
  11. ^ The Watchtower, April 1, 1957, p. 200
  12. ^ The Watchtower, March 1, 2003, p. 23, "Seeking First the Kingdom – A Secure and Happy Life"
  13. ^ "Ivory Coast", 1981 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 174
  14. ^ The King's Highway: El Cannino Real : God's Highway to Peace and Happiness by Kenneth R. Guindon, 1996, Ignatius Press, p. 89
  15. ^ "Changing the Watch At the Watchtower" by Charles W. Bell, New York Daily News, October 14, 2000, p. 24, "Among his previous assignments, Adams...directed world missionary activities"
  16. ^ "New Missionaries Urged: "Stay Loyal!"", The Watchtower, November 15, 1982, p. 27
  17. ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses Order Shake-Up" by Richard N. Ostling, The Washington Post, October 9, 2000, As Retrieved 2009-09-01
  18. ^ The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions by Ron Rhodes, Zondervan, 2001, pp. 85–86
  19. ^ A Guide to New Religious Movements by Ronald M. Enroth, InterVarsity Press, 2005, p. 31
  20. ^ "Helpers to the Governing Body Committees | Study". Archived from the original on June 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear". The Watchtower. October 15, 2015. p. 3. The Governing Body members make the final decisions, but the helpers implement the committee's direction and carry out whatever assignments they are given. The helpers accompany Governing Body members to special and international conventions. They may also be assigned to visit branch offices as headquarters representatives. ... Helpers to Governing Body Committees ... Publishing Committee – Don Adams
  22. ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses Order Changes at Top", Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 14, 2000, p. B5
  23. ^ "New Leadership Structure for Jehovah's Witnesses", Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 10, 2000, p. A02
  24. ^ Christianity Today, March 5, 2001, As Retrieved 2009-09-01
  25. ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses Order Shake-Up" by Richard N. Ostling, The Washington Post, October 9, 2000, As Retrieved 2009-09-01, "The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, as the group is officially known, had been run by a so-called Governing Body. Now, religious and administrative duties will be divided, with three newly formed corporations running the group's U.S. operations. President Milton Henschel, 80, and the group's six other board members resigned their posts on Saturday. ... Don Adams, a 50-year veteran of the organization, has been named president of the organization, and seven lower-ranking members will make up the new board. Henschel will remain a member of the Governing Body."
  26. ^ A Humble Defense: Evidence for the Christian Faith by Mark E. Moore, Mark Scott, 2004, College Press, p. 247, "Joseph F. Rutherford ... outdid Russell in writing numerous books, but his greatest strength was in the area of organization. ... During Knorr's presidency, membership grew to well over two million. ... Jehovah's Witnesses experienced some serious crises during the presidency of Frederick Franz. ... Milton Henschel served only eight years. The organization experienced a time of great restructuring. ... Don Adams, the present president, has not had enough time to impact the Society's ministry."
  27. ^ "Seeking First the Kingdom – A Secure and Happy Life", The Watchtower, March 1, 2003, p. 23
  28. ^ Dun&Bradstreet Corporate Reports, 2011, Retrieved 2012-03-23, (subscription required)
  29. ^ Aktualisierungen zur 1986 veröffentlichten Dissertation "Die Zeugen Jehovas"
  30. ^ Don Alden Adams death notice
Preceded by President of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
October 7, 2000 – 2014 		Succeeded by
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