The Ellen G. White Writings

What the Church Claims for Ellen G. White

At the General Conference held in November, 1855, the Sabbathkeeping Adventist faced a major problem. As the way had opened in the early 1850’s for the distribution of their one journal, the Review and Herald, beyond their ranks, it took on overtones of a missionary paper, and it was thought best, because of the possibility of their prejudicial nature, to leave out all visions from its pages. Plans were announced to reach the believers through other means. This step, however, resulted in a lessened appreciation of the visions on the part of the believers, and the church suffered. This the leaders sensed, and at the 1855 conference action was taken “that Joseph Bates, J. H. Waggoner, and M. E. Cornell be appointed to address the saints in behalf of the conference on the gifts of the church” (The Review and Herald, December 4, 1855). EGWW 52.5

The position taken appears in the heart of the address in these words: EGWW 52.6

While we hold these views [as presented in the visions] as emanating from the divine mind, we would confess the inconsistency (which we believe has been displeasing to God) of professedly regarding them as messages from God, and really putting them on a level with the inventions of men. We fear that this has resulted from an unwillingness to bear the reproach of Christ (which is indeed greater riches than the treasures of earth), and a desire to conciliate the feelings of our opponents; but the Word and our own experience have taught us that God is not honored, nor His cause advanced, by such a course. EGWW 52.7

While we regard them as coming from God, and entirely harmonizing with His written word, we must acknowledge ourselves under obligation to abide by their teachings, and be corrected by their admonitions. To say that they are of God, and yet we will not be tested by them, is to say that God’s will is not a test of rule for Christians, which is inconsistent and absurd.—The Review and Herald, December 4, 1855. (For the recital of the experience of 1855 see Messenger to the Remnant, pp. 51-53.) EGWW 53.1

Heaven’s recognition and approval of the wholehearted confession and declaration of acceptance of the authority of the Spirit of Prophecy messenger are reflected in the vision given at the close of the conference and in the following words penned by Ellen White shortly afterward: EGWW 53.2

At our late conference at Battle Creek, in November, God wrought for us. The minds of the servants of God were exercised as to the gifts of the church, and if God’s frown had been brought upon His people because the gifts had been slighted and neglected, there was a pleasing prospect that His smiles would again be upon us, and He would graciously and mercifully revive the gifts again, and they would live in the church, to encourage the desponding and fainting soul, and to correct and reprove the erring.—The Review and Herald, January 10, 1856. EGWW 53.3

It became the custom from time to time in the General Conference sessions to go on record in regard to the Spirit of Prophecy, its value to the church, and the relation of the church to it. At the session of 1870 this action was taken: EGWW 53.4

Resolved, That we recognize the wisdom of God in the “Testimonies to the Church,” and that it is dangerous and destructive to disregard or neglect their instructions.—The Review and Herald, March 22, 1870. EGWW 53.5

And three years later, the resolution was worded in this manner: EGWW 53.6

We hereby request our Executive Committee to prepare or cause to be prepared a work giving our reasons for believing the testimonies of Sister White to be the teachings of the Holy Spirit.—The Review and Herald, November 25, 1873. EGWW 54.1