Journey to God's House: An Inside Story of Life at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 1980s

by Brock Talon

A naive young man named Brock Talon journeys to the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York City, seeking a spiritual paradise. But things are not at all what he expects.

Once there, he encounters a creature called The Hanger Man, a blubbery dude named Big Tex and a cute girl with epic breasts. He also chances upon the music icon Michael Jackson, an oddball named Mr. Coffee and various other denizens of that unique place called Bethel.

Join Brock as he rubs shoulders with the powerful leaders of the faith, explores the mysteries of Armageddon, investigates the secrets of paradise and wrestles with the conundrum of sex, romance, drinking and sin.

This nostalgic tell-all from the 1980s is an adventure that will keep you laughing and crying, as well as inspire you to reflect upon your own personal journey to God's House.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2013

About the author

Brock Talon is an author with a distinct voice and style all his own. He writes from his personal experiences in a way that makes it seem as if you are living them yourself.

He has written two memoirs about his time as a Jehovah's Witness and his years in the world headquarters of that religion, a place called Bethel. Both have been well received.

Brock then moved on to fiction and has written his first novel, one that he believes people will enjoy as the dark mystery thriller it is.

So pack your bags, make room for inspiration and invention, and take a journey with Brock.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in the shadow of the Watchtower during the same period of time as the author, I could relate to this story. However, I never attended Bethel so it is interesting to read his story of this "priviledged" experience. Told from a young man's standpoint fueled by hormones and male bravado. It is entertaining, amusing and sad all at the same time. In hindsight, the author comes to the realization that this was far from what he was expecting from "God's house" which reminds me of Ray Franz saying in his book "Crisis of conscience" that he was expecting that being a member of the Governing Body would be like a spiritual paradise and instead if was a bunch of guys making up rules as they went along. Sadly most Jehovah's Witnesses don't read books like this and Franz's book but if they did it would really be an eye opener to what is really going on at the Watchtower headquarters. This is pure and simple, a book publishing cult masquerading as a religion which unfortunately traps its followers by the use of fear... fear of Armageddon, fear of death, fear of being disfellowshipped, fear of being shunned and the accompanying guilt. Funny, after reading Brock's book, I started reading Steven Hassan's "Freedom of mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs" and I kept thinking how his inside story was a text book case example for Hassan's BITE model. Brock overcame his wasted youth and hopefully a lot more will do that same.

[Casey Mondle]

A good collection of memories. Having grown up as a JW I can say everything he mentions about the faith is accurate.

[Marjorie Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not completely accurate

When I first started reading this book, I enjoyed it. it was funny, and seemed to be the life experience of someone who served at Bethel. However as the book progressed, it seemed to be a constant jab at the religion and their teachings. I had to remind myself "this is from a guys point of view" or "this was weak person who didn't appreciate the opportunity that he volunteered for!" Halfway thru it was harder and harder to read and finish the book .

Brock why would you write a book about your life, and use a fictitious name? Jw's will not hunt you down! After all you left the religion so why the fear? So many questions I have. As a former witness, I am very proud of the. values I was raised with, and it has made me the person I am today! I suppose I was looking for more of a book that told of someone's life experience and not a beat down of everything" the religion teaches.

[Dallas Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of this book was great, a real eye-opener about a young man’s firsthand experience working at Bethel in New York, the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses from 1981-1985. Having grown up as a Witness in Australia, with dreams of working in Australia’s Bethel, I was shocked to discover the author’s experience as feeling like a drone, a faceless and under-appreciated worker bee, who survived on poverty wages, ate free but bland food, had to share a room with three other young guys, and who was judged constantly by other ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ according to their own particular take on various issues. It seems like I avoided a similar fate, which would have left me uneducated, broke, and probably sex starved. The second half of the book wandered a little, where the author strained for interesting stories. Still, an educating and entertaining read from someone who eventually broke free and could write about such an experience, destroying any mystery the Witnesses build around the centre of their literature production.

[Robert Baran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrote in humorous and engaging way I can confirm it’s whole truth, only truth, and nothing beyond the truth. Everyone who was within share similar experiences and outcomes. Refreshing that people aren’t blind and stupid, but move on with their life towards true happiness and love.

It is not an apostate’s misleading statement, but rather a journal of a honest young man- recommended to anybody who entered in close contact with the Witnesses- there is many honest and good people too, but enough to say, they were terribly misled by the leaders...

[deanna muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

The only real problems were editing error, though there weren't enough to impede my interest.
As a medical professional, I was amused when he claimed to have a temperature of 110+. That's just not realistic. If someone had one that high, and survived, that person would (most likely) be brain dead or severely mentally and/or physically impaired.
Other than that, I strongly recommend this book as well as the sequel.

[Paul Kan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average story but not bad

Not a bad book but he comes off a little spoiled and repeated mentions of his own good looks how fir he is etc etc.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing tale!

To me this is like an Oliver Twist scenario, only set in a religious order of the really bizarre nature.

[ANTHONY THOMPSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard these stories before.

A very good truthful read of what things are really like being a Jehovah's Witness assigned to Bethel. Totally Riveting

[Mastershake80 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. The title of this book is what first caught my attention. I've always been interested in different religions and what goes on behind closed doors. That's definitely something the author got right with this book. I enjoyed the different stories and explanations of what goes on not only in the headquarters,but also in the JW community as a whole.

But, I was left feeling like there could have been more. More details and more info on the details of working at the HQ. I hope he writes a followup with more of what happened to him after he left.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Brock and I liked the way he told his story of the time he spent at Bethel. An entertaining read and an interesting insight into life as a Jehovah.

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Brock Talon's first book I was looking forward to this one. He writes with wit and humour and his anecdotes make for an interesting read about his life as a Jehovah's Witness.