The Truth About The White Lie

Did Uriah Smith have some periods of doubt concerning Ellen White’s prophetic gift?

Yes, he did. One of those is reflected in his letter to D. M. Canright. ⁴ But although Smith had some struggles when he was reproved, he took the reproof to heart and soon stood firmly on the integrity and value of Mrs. White’s writings. On one occasion he explained to Adventists everywhere how he almost slipped but didn’t: TAWL 5.5

Considerable handle, I understand, has been made in some directions of the fact that the editor of the Review has been troubled over the question of the visions, has been unsound on that question, and at one time came very near giving them up. It strikes me that this is quite a small amount of capital to work up much of a trade on—“came very near giving them up”:—but didn’t! I also, at one time came very near getting run over by the cars, and rolled into jelly; but I didn’t, and so continue to this day. Some have met just such a catastrophe. The difference between them and myself is that they did, and I didn’t. Some have given up the visions. The difference between them and myself is the same—they did, and I didn’t. ⁵

Smith acknowledged that there were times when “circumstances seemed very perplexing” but the weight of evidence in his mind had never “balanced on the side of surrender,” and he affirmed his position of trust and confidence. TAWL 5.6