Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

Chapter 3—Relationship to Development of Doctrine

The doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists did not come to us initially through the Spirit of prophecy in the remnant church, as some apparently have supposed, but rather by earnest individual and group Bible study. The Spirit of prophecy had a vital place in bringing light when difficulties confronted the pioneers, and the conclusions reached by earnest study were sometimes later confirmed by revelation. There is perhaps no better way to deal with this topic than to give in outline form the documented story in two outstanding illustrations of doctrinal development which indicate the way foundational truths were established. EGWMR 34.1