Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Last 10 Days: Taxing Problems

At midsession many burdens still rested heavily on Ellen White's heart. Perhaps one of the greatest was that of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and the broad influence of the course of action that he might take. Along with this was the attitude of the ministry toward the medical work of the church, and further, the personal experience of the ministers toward the health reform principles to which God had called His people. Also, she was deeply concerned regarding the development of the work in the southern states, both among the Whites and the Blacks. Up to midsession little had been done along this line. WV 393.2

One disruptive element with which Ellen White had to contend at the 1901 General Conference session was the case of Helge Nelson, who claimed the prophetic gift and insisted that he be given a hearing by the conference. This being denied, he was granted an interview with Mrs. White and the General Conference leaders. His burden was that Mrs. White stood where Moses stood in the typical history of God's people, and he, Helge Nelson, was to stand where Joshua stood, for he claimed special guidance from God. Ellen White met the false claims squarely and in the interview declared, “I know that God never gave mortal man such a message as that which Brother Nelson has borne concerning his brethren. It is not like our God” (The Review and Herald, July 30, 1901). WV 393.3

She was to meet Nelson again at the General Conference session of 1903 in a rather dramatic way. WV 393.4