Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 120, 1906

Those Who Are Perplexed Regarding the Testimonies Relating to the Medical Missionary Work

St. Helena, California

March 30, 1906

Portions of this letter are published in 6Bio 90.

To Those Who Are Perplexed Regarding the Testimonies Relating to the Medical Missionary Work: 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 1

Recently in the visions of the night I stood in a large company of people. There were present Dr. Kellogg, Elders Jones, Tenney, and Taylor, Dr. Paulson, Elder Sadler, Judge Arthur, and many of their associates. I was directed by the Lord to request them, and any others who have perplexities and grievous things in their minds regarding the testimonies that I have borne, to specify what their objections and criticisms are. The Lord will help me to answer these objections and to make plain that which seems to be intricate. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 2

Let those who are troubled now place upon paper a statement of the difficulties that perplex their minds, and let us see if we cannot throw some light upon the matter that will relieve their perplexities. The time has come for the leaders to state to us the perplexities of which they have spoken to the nurses and to their associate physicians. Let us now have their reasons for talking with the students in a way that would destroy their faith in the messages that God sends His people. Let it all be written out and submitted to those who desire to remove the perplexities. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 3

If statements have been made that there are contradictions in the testimonies, should I not be acquainted with the charges and accusations? Should I not know the reasons of this sowing tares of unbelief? Some who have gone to Battle Creek have spent many hours with nurses, presenting objections to the testimonies. Such ones would be able to spend more of their precious, God-given time in the study of the Word of God if with humble hearts they would follow the directions Christ has given and present to me their grievances before they tell them to others. Men do not glorify God in spending so much time in long talks, which sometimes extend late into the night in an effort to weaken the faith of those who are called to Battle Creek supposedly to be educated in medical missionary lines and fitted to go forth into any place where duty may call them. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 4

I am praying for you all and praying for our youth. It is time that we understood who is on the Lord’s side. I ask that the leaders in the medical work at Battle Creek, and those who have been associated with them in gathering together criticisms and objections to the testimonies that I have borne, shall open to me the things that they have been opening to others. They should certainly do this, if they are loyal to the directions God has given. We should also have a clear statement of facts from those with whom physicians and ministers have been at work, to undermine their confidence in the Bible, the messages, and the testimonies. If there is in your minds the thought that Sister White’s work can no longer be trusted, we would be glad to know when and why you came to this decision. It may be that some matters that seem to you very objectionable can be explained. This will be better than to leave these matters until the great future investigation, when every man’s work will appear as it is, with the reasons that underlay their course of action. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 5

I am now charged to request those who are in difficulty in regard to Sister White’s work to let their questions appear now, before the great day of judgment comes, when every work shall be made to appear with the motive underlying it, when the secrets of all hearts shall be made known, and every thought, word, and deed shall be tested by the Judge of the whole world, and each one will receive sentence according as his works have been. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 6

I present this before you all. I am still praying for the physicians, the ministers, and the church in Battle Creek. If any are framing excuses that have deceived their own minds, I plead with them to put these excuses away before the final judgment, the great execution of the sentence that shall be passed upon all upon the earth. In the judgment there will be tried the cases of those who have been exalted to high positions of influence, those who have had great opportunities and great light, but who have refused to heed that light, because it did not agree with the desires of their own hearts. They have turned aside the counsel of the Lord to open the door to seductive influence and are repeating the very experience that was set in operation in the heavenly courts. 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 7

There is a class who need to look well to the course of action they are pursuing and to do the diligent work that is essential. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” [Revelation 3:17-21.] 21LtMs, Lt 120, 1906, par. 8