The Salamanca Vision and the 1890 Diary

10. Battle Creek, Michigan, March, 1891 ⁵

At Salamanca November 3, 1890, while bowed in earnest prayer, I seemed to be lost to everything around me, and I was bearing a message to an assembly which seemed to be the General Conference. I was moved by the Spirit of God to say many things, to make most earnest appeals, for the truth was urged upon me that great danger lay before those at the heart of the work. SVD 61.2

I had been, and still was, bowed down with distress of body and of mind. It seemed to me that I must bear a message to our people at Battle Creek. The words were to be in earnest. “Speak the words that I shall give thee, to prevent their doing things which would separate God from the publishing house and sacrifice pure and holy principles which must be maintained.”... SVD 61.3

Many things were unfolded to me. The eyes which once wept over impenitent Jerusalem—for their impenitence, their ignorance of God and of Jesus Christ, their Redeemer—were bent upon the great heart of the work in Battle Creek. They were in great peril through forming a confederacy, but they knew it not. They were walking in the sparks of their own kindling. Human impenitence had blinded their eyes, and yet human wisdom was seeking to guide the important interests, especially in the workings and methods of the publishing house. Men’s hands had hold of the work. Men’s human judgment was gathering in finite hands the lines of control, while God and His will, His way and His counsel were not earnestly, humbly sought—not considered indispensable. Men of stubborn, unbending, iron will were exercising their own traits of character to drive things through on their own judgment. SVD 62.1

I said to them, You cannot do this. The power of control of these large interests cannot be vested wholly in men who have so little experience in the things of God as you manifest. You know not the way of the Lord. All through our ranks truth is misrepresented. The people of God must not have their faith disappointed and shaken in their own institution—the publishing house at Battle Creek—because of the mismanagement of human minds that magnify self. SVD 62.2

If you lay your hand upon the work of the great instrumentality of God—to write your superscription upon it and put your mold upon it—it will be dangerous business for you and disastrous to the work of God. It will be as great a sin in the sight of God as when Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the ark of God. All that God requires of you who have entered into other men’s labors, is humbly to do your individual duty. You are to deal justly toward all those employed for the work by the people; you are to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. This you have not done. Your works testify against you. If you fail to do this, whatever may be your position, whatever your responsibility—if you have as much authority as did Ahab—you will find that God is above you and His sovereignty must and will be supreme. SVD 62.3

In everyone connected with the actual management of the Office, there is altogether too little fear and love and reverence for the God of heaven, and too little faith, genuine faith, in God and His providential workings....You need Jesus at every step. This time—1891—is a period when we may expect God to manifest His power to His people.... SVD 62.4

There have been misstatements of messengers and of the messages they bring. How dare you do this? Ridicule and witticisms are poor arguments. Ridicule cheapens the mind of anyone who engages in it, for it separates his soul from God. No confidence should be placed in the judgment of those who do this thing, no weight attached to their advice or resolutions. Caviling and criticism are not in God’s order.... SVD 63.1

I was present in one of your councils. One arose, and in a very earnest, decided manner, held up a paper. I could read the heading plainly—American Sentinel. There were criticisms made upon the articles published therein. It was declared that this must be cut out, and that must be changed. Strong words were uttered and a strong unChristlike spirit prevailed. My guide gave me words to speak to the ones who were present who were not slow to make their accusations. SVD 63.2

In substance I will state the reproof given: That there was a spirit of strife in the midst of the council. The Lord had not presided in their councils and their minds and hearts were not under the controlling influence of the Spirit of God. Let the adversaries of our faith be the ones to instigate and develop the plans which are being formed. While not all the plans are objectionable, principles are being brought in which will dishonor God.... SVD 63.3

I have a warning to give to this body assembled in this house in General Conference. There is danger of our institutions creating plans and ways and means that mean not success, but defeat. I dare not let this Conference close and those assembled return to their homes without telling you to consider carefully every proposition present, every plan laid before you. Give not hastily to these plans your “yea” and “amen,” and be not carried away with propositions that appear innocent, but whose end is disaster and forfeiture of the favor of God.... SVD 63.4

Your strong spirit is not to become a power to rule. Your loud, contentious councils are not in harmony with Christ or His manner and His ways....Do not think that when the latter rain comes you will be a vessel unto honor to receive the showers of blessing—even the glory of God—when you have been lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, secretly cherishing the roots of bitterness you brought to Minneapolis, which you have carefully cultivated and watered ever since.—Ms. 40, 1890, pp. 1-2, 23, 26-30 (Diary 16, pp. 457-459, 500, 504, 506-507, 510-511, 513). ⁶ SVD 63.5