Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

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2. The Authority by Which New Books Are Printed

Mrs. White herself authorized the posthumous issuance of new E. G. White books. This she did in her last will and testament dated February 9, 1912. This legal document created the Board of Trustees with whom Mrs. White left the responsibility of the care and publishing of her writings. Her instructions in this will are specific. To the five Trustees of her choice and their successors she left in trust: EGWMR 92.12

“All of my right, title, and interest in the copyrights and book plates in all languages, of the following publications [here follows a list of her current books]: also, my general manuscript file and all indexes pertaining thereto.”—E. G. White Will, Clause numbered 5. EGWMR 92.13

And this Board was charged with the responsibility of: EGWMR 92.14

“Administering, preserving, and protecting the said ... property, and publishing and selling said books and manuscripts and conducting the business thereof.”—Ibid. EGWMR 92.15

The Trustees were further charged in a more specific way with the responsibility of fostering: EGWMR 92.16

“The improvement of the books and manuscripts held in trust by them,” “the securing and printing of new translations thereof,” and “the printing of compilations from my manuscripts.”—Ibid. EGWMR 92.17

That Mrs. White had full expectation that the manuscripts and articles preserved in the manuscript vault would be used to serve the denomination following her death is made clear by a declaration which was published in a tract shortly before her death: EGWMR 92.18

“Abundant light has been given to our people in these last days. Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last. My writings are kept on file in the office, and even though I should not live, these words that have been given to me by the Lord will still have life and will speak to the people.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 13, 14. (Written Oct. 23, 1907.) EGWMR 92.19

In the issuance of new books the Trustees are but carrying out the instruction Mrs. White gave them when the Board was appointed. EGWMR 93.1