The Voice of The Spirit

Fourth Surprise: An Additional Chapter Exists In The Spanish Editions

How many surprises are there yet to come? someone may ask. I guarantee you that this is the last one that we will analyze in this chapter. As the reader will understand, the author’s only objective is to reconfirm the faith of the believers as to the way in which the Lord has lead His church through the prophetic gift. The author is conscious that some of these “surprises” have disillusioned some believers. That is why an attempt is made to try to respond to these surprises with all the sincerity and honesty that they deserve, with the goal of preventing further disillusionment. VOTS 92.2

It is true that the chapter titled “The Awakening of Spain” is an addition in the Spanish version of The Great Controversy. It is not in the original version produced by the author. How is it possible, some believers will wonder, that a complete chapter has been added when it was not written by Ellen White? Is that chapter inspired? In the Spanish version a footnote refers to the chapter as “a contribution... included with the approval of the author.” The fact that Ellen White selected and approved its insertion makes that material part of a book with an inspired message. And the inclusion of this chapter is one of the best illustrations that can be used to understand the freedom God gives to prophets to choose the material that will be included in their writings. VOTS 92.3

This particular story begins around the year 1911, when the Spanish translation of The Great Controversy was being done. Eduardo Forga, a Peruvian writer who was affiliated with the publishing work in England, was in charge of the translation. This task brought him into contact, not only with Ellen White but with William White and Clarence Crisler, the author’s assistants. Apparently, it was the latter who suggested the idea of including some material on the Reformation in Spain. At least, this is the implication of one of his letters to Mrs. White: VOTS 93.1

I came down unexpectedly a few days ago, to help gather some material together for a story of the Reformation in Spain. This is the material that should be included in the Spanish “Great Controversy,” for the encouragement of our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters in Spain, in the West Indies, in the Philippine Islands, in Old Mexico, and in all South America. ²⁰ VOTS 93.2

It seems certain that Ellen White agreed with the suggestion, since a few months later, both Elder Crisler ²¹ and Elder White ²² requested that Eduardo Forga complete as quickly as possible the translation of the material on the Reformation in Spain because the publication of the book was in progress in the editorial office. VOTS 93.3

The inclusion of a complete chapter within the text of a book affords us an important illustration about the use of other authors by inspired writers. The prophet receives from God a message to share with His people or with the world in general. When writing the message the prophets use either their own words or any other material they consider capable of expressing the divine message. In this specific case, the material on the Reformation in Spain prepared by Ellen White’s assistants was considered by the messenger of the Lord as an excellent contribution, and it ended up being part of the text (not inspired) of a book that contains the message (inspired) of God. VOTS 93.4