Messenger of the Lord

Convincing Integrity

Her associates would never have been convinced that her visions and counsel were of divine origin if she had been accused of immoral living. ¹⁸ MOL 516.2

Ellen White’s contemporaries on several continents came to the place in their institutional planning and various crises that they sought her counsel before making their decisions. Proven men and women, experienced in their several fields, learned to trust her judgment as she led her colleagues to principles that would help them solve their problems and enlarge their worldview. MOL 516.3

This confidence was not a creedal belief imposed by church leaders. The leaders themselves were led to this confidence not by argument but by experience. At an 1857 Battle Creek conference of about two hundred and fifty Sabbath keepers, the “subject of the unity and gifts of the church ... [was] presented which seemed to have a place in the hearts of the people. Many expressed themselves happy to see this subject taking its proper place in the church.” MOL 516.4

During this meeting, Ellen White read “a testimony for the church which was received as the voice of the Lord to His people.” Someone proposed that the testimony be published and there was no opposition. ¹⁹ Mrs. White earned the confidence of her contemporaries by the integrity of her personal relationships as well as through the relevance of her messages. MOL 516.5