Believe His Prophets

The Greater Light and the Lesser Light

In order that there may be no mistake in the relation of the writings of Ellen G. White to the Bible, God impressed this fact upon her mind by a dream that she had on April 3, 1871. Concerning it she wrote: BHP 169.1

“I seemed to be attending an important meeting, at which a large company were assembled…. BHP 169.2

“I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with several Testimonies for the Church, given for the people of God. Here, said I, the cases of nearly all are met. The sins they are to shun are pointed out. The counsel that they desire can be found here, given for other cases situated similarly to themselves. God has been pleased to give you line upon line and precept upon precept. But there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the Testimonies. You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies…. BHP 169.3

“The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all.” Testimonies for the Church 5:664, 665. BHP 170.1

There is one other statement that seems to set forth Mrs. White’s own attitude and certainly leaves no room for doubt or uncertainty in the matter: BHP 170.2

“Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.”—The Review and Herald, January 20, 1903, p. 15. (Italic’s supplied.) BHP 170.3

We should close this section with the most solemn words she ever wrote on the subject: BHP 170.4

“In the Bible the will of God is revealed to His children. Wherever it is read, in the family circle, the school, or the church, all should give quiet and devout attention as if God were really present and speaking to them.” Testimonies for the Church 5:84. BHP 170.5