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Doctrine changes · Claim record

In June 1988 The Watchtower reversed the 1965 answer, saying a 'recent review' showed Jesus' words 'need not be taken as statements about the future for the people of Sodom/Gomorrah' and that they suffered 'irreversible destruction'; a 2005 answer repeated that they will not be resurrected.

Claim ID claim-doctrine-sodom-1988-no-resurrectionConcerns 1 June 1988Explicit statement
Explicit statement · 1 June 1988 Verified

In June 1988 The Watchtower reversed the 1965 answer, saying a 'recent review' showed Jesus' words 'need not be taken as statements about the future for the people of Sodom/Gomorrah' and that they suffered 'irreversible destruction'; a 2005 answer repeated that they will not be resurrected. The Watchtower, 1 June 1988The Watchtower, 15 July 2005Watch Tower Publications Index (Research Guide) — 'Beliefs Clarified' entry, 2026

The organisation’s position or later explanation: 'Beliefs Clarified' lists 1988 'no resurrection for dead in Sodom and Gomorrah'.

Show the evidence (3 sources)
Primary JW publication Verified

The Watchtower, “Questions From Readers — Do Jesus' words at Matthew 11:24 mean that those whom Jehovah destroyed by fire in Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected?”

1 June 1988 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“A recent review of this suggests that these verses need not be taken as statements about the future for the people of Sodom/Gomorrah … irreversible destruction.”

Reverses the 1965 answer; reads Jesus' 'more endurable for Sodom' as hyperbole and concludes from Jude 7 and 2 Peter 2 that the inhabitants suffered irreversible destruction.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording and pages confirmed.

Corroborated by. src-idx-beliefs-clarified

Notes. Listed in 'Beliefs Clarified' as the 1988 change.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-1988-0601-qfr-sodom

Primary JW publication Verified

The Watchtower, “Questions From Readers (will Solomon be resurrected?)”

15 July 2005 · p.31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“Among these would be the first human pair, Adam and Eve, the betrayer Judas Iscariot, and certain ones who died when God executed judgment upon them, such as the people in Noah's day and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Listing those judged unworthy of a resurrection.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording and page confirmed.

Corroborated by. src-w-1988-0601-qfr-sodom

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-2005-0715-qfr-solomon-sodom

Primary JW publication Verified

Watch Tower Publications Index (Research Guide) — 'Beliefs Clarified' entry, “Beliefs Clarified”

2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“1988 … no resurrection for dead in Sodom and Gomorrah: w88 6/1 30-31 … 1996 … civilian service in lieu of military service: yb97 16; w96 5/1 19-20 … 2024 … help for ones removed from the congregation: w24.08 27-28”

The organisation's own dated list of adjusted beliefs, with references; also lists 1929/1962 'superior authorities', 1927/2013 'faithful and discreet slave', 1995 and 2008-2010 'this generation', 2024 Sodom and great-tribulation entries. No lines match 'transplant', 'vaccin' or 'beard'.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org and full text searched locally.

Notes. Referenced by the jw.org FAQ as the place where changes are 'recorded and published'.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-idx-beliefs-clarified

Claim page

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