Why Did Ellen G. White Borrow?

Paul A Gordon
Ellen White Estate

Every human being has certain powers of observation. The five physical senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell enable us to understand the world around us. Prophets are people with these senses. But God also spoke to them in dreams and visions. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen White had the prophetic gift. It can also be demonstrated that she had more than average ability to observe and record what she saw and heard. Frequent illustrations in her speaking and writing show this fact. WDEGWB 1.1

Because Ellen White quoted not only heavenly messengers, but human writers, some questions have been frequently raised. Why did she occasionally borrow thoughts and words from others? Was it literary dependence? Were they her source, or only convenient aids? How does her use of these and other things such as literary helpers affect her claim to divine inspiration? These questions deserve reasonable answers. We examine a few evidences from her life. WDEGWB 1.2