Herbert W Armstrong

From time to time, you may be asked about the purpose of the file index number which appears on the top line of labels for The PLAIN TRUTH and other Church publications. For your information, we'd like to review just how this number is used and why it is critical to our mail processing operations.

An index number is given to each person who is added to our files. Each individual is assigned his own unique number, and it will never be assigned to anyone else. This number is used in the following ways:

• It allows our employees to immediately identify an individual when handling transactions such as literature requests, Feast registration, address changes, etc.

• It prevents errors that might occur when two people have the same name or address.

• It helps us to make sure that literature is sent to the person who requested it.

• It enables us to quickly and accurately check a person's record when he inquires about such matters as to why his literature may be late, never arrived, etc.

• It ensures that all contributions are properly credited to the right person.

With the above in mind, we would appreciate very much your encouragement of the members to always use prelabeled envelopes when writing to Headquarters. Additional envelopes will be sent upon request. Also, it is helpful to us for members to use their index number when calling on the WATS line for literature, changes of address, etc.

Although the index number is a vital processing tool, we want to assure you and our members that they are never considered "just a number" to God's Church or the employees at Headquarters. The use of these numbers simply helps us give better, more personal service by avoiding errors and handling requests more efficiently.

Annual Receipts and Tax Information for U.S. Contributors

Annual receipts for all contributions made in 1984 were mailed in late January. If any members in your congregation have not received their receipts and need one, please ask them to call our toll-free number (1-800-423-4444). These receipts are sent as a courtesy to contributors and contain the total amount they have donated to God's Church during the previous year. (Contributions given at an international Feast site would not be included on the receipt.)

Members should always verify the amounts on their receipts by checking their personal records, especially when they claim their donations as a tax deduction. It is advisable for members to save these records for at least three years.

Members occasionally ask whether they can include the donations of their children as a deduction on their personal tax form. According to U.S. tax regulations, children's donations that have been recorded separately cannot be included with the parents' contributions as a deduction on the parents' tax form.

We hope this information will be of value should questions arise.

Severe Weather Affects Many Subscribers

The severe weather we've had across the U.S. this winter has impacted the lives of many individuals writing in to God's Church. Some view the changing weather patterns as yet another sign that the end of this present age is near. Following is a sampling of the many comments we've received:

We are seeing changes in the weather as the Lord said we would see them. The whole weather pattern has changed, not only here, but in other parts of the world as well. I pray that it won't be long before the Lord returns. Meanwhile His work is growing by leaps and bounds. I am very excited about it and thankful for the little part I have in it.
M.O. (Brooklyn, NY)

We have really had some cold weather. I will soon be 86 years old. I've never seen it this cold here in Georgia before. I had never seen it as hot as it was this past summer. Everything is really changing. May God continue to bless you and His work.
Mrs. G.S. (Sparta, GA)

Well, 16 inches of snow came to Cleveland a week ago Tuesday. Then we got another eight inches yesterday. So we are up to our knees in snow — that is if your knees are high. Well, spring is not far so I guess we have that to look forward to.
T.P. (Strongsville, OH)

We have been having some very cold weather here. Sabbath services were canceled and also Bible study. We certainly missed both and everyone was happy to be together again this Sabbath.
Mr. & Mrs. R.W. (Crete, IL)

We just had a killing freeze here in Florida. Although my husband's work is not directly tied to agriculture, it will be felt in all areas of our economy. Florida has truly been blessed and protected for some time now. We were wondering how long it would continue, as we watched the terrible conditions in the rest of the U.S.
R.R. (Lakeland, FL)

Here in central Texas we are having one of the coldest winters I've ever seen in my 56 years on earth. I know this is something we people have brought on ourselves. May God have mercy on us.
M.R. (Temple, TX)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center