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2) What about the claim and belief that the writings of Ellen White have been altered, or manipulated, or tampered with, or changed or that she has been influenced to state what she writes?

“I have a statement to make. When the Lord presents before me any matter and instruction and I have a message to bear concerning the said matter, then I shall, to the best of my God-given ability, make known the matter, presenting the mind and will of God just as clearly as my human capabilities, guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, shall bring all the matter before me to present to others. In regard to the serious matters given me I have not given anyone--man or woman--any right to have the least control over my work the Lord has given me to do.

“Since twenty-one years ago, when I was deprived of my husband by death, I have not had the slightest idea of ever marrying again. Why? Not because God forbade it. No. But to stand alone was the best for me, that no one should suffer with me in carrying forward my work entrusted to me of God. And no one should have a right to influence me in any way in reference to my responsibility and my work in bearing my testimony of encouragement and reproof.

“My husband never stood in my way to do this, although I had help and encouragement from him and oft his pity. His sympathy and prayers and tears I have missed so much, so very much. No one can understand this as myself. But my work has to be done. No human power should give the least supposition that I would be influenced in the work God has given me to do in bearing my testimony to those for whom He has given me reproof or encouragement.

“I have been alone in this matter, severely alone with all the difficulties and all the trials connected with the work. God alone could help me. The last work that is to be done by me in this world will soon be finished. I must express myself plainly, in a manner, if possible, not to be misunderstood.

“I have not one person in the world who shall put any message in my mind or lay one duty upon me. I am now to say to you, Brother F, when the Lord gives me a burden for you or for anyone, you shall have it in the way and manner the Lord gives it to me.--Manuscript 227, 1902.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 66-67.

This inspired passage reveals that sister White allowed no one, not even her husband James White, to influence her to write what she did. This then clearly destroys the claim that some put forth that James White was the protector of the Testimonies, and after his death in 1881 you cannot trust anything written by sister White. Which then means that you can trust what sister White has written to be all inspired truth of God even after the death of her husband in 1881.

3) What about claims that someone, from her copyists all the way up to the General Conference, has altered, or manipulated, or tampered with, or changed sister White’s writings?

“There are those who say, "Someone manipulates her writings." I acknowledge the charge. It is One who is mighty in counsel, One who presents before me the condition of things.--Letter 52, 1906.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 64.

These inspired passages reveal that when the copyist took sister White’s words and then typed these out on paper that sister White would then “read over all that is copied, to see that everything is as it should be”. These inspired passages also reveals that the only One who sister White allowed to manipulate her writings was the Lord God Jesus Christ Himself. This then destroys the claim that some non-inspired people have altered, or manipulated, or tampered with, or changed sister White’s writings. Which then means that you can indeed trust what sister White has written to be the inspired truth of God.

4) What about the claim that when sister White’s original books were enlarged and published, that all the changes could not have been approved by sister White and therefore you cannot trust these later editions to be the inspired truth of God?

“I read all the book manuscript before it is sent to the printer. So you can see that my time must be fully occupied. Besides writing, I am called upon to speak to the different churches and to attend important meetings. I could not do this work unless the Lord helped me.--Letter 133, 1902.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 90-91.

This inspired passage reveals that when any books were being compiled from her writings, or were being enlarged from an earlier publication, sister White would “read all the book manuscript before it is sent to the printer” to make sure it was all the truth. Now in 1902 there were almost 80 publications of her writings, which then meant that all of these publications had been personally read through by sister White before they were published. This then destroys the claim that any changes made between earlier and later editions could not have been all approved by sister White and therefore could not be trusted to be the inspired truth of God. Which then means that all of these later publications could be trusted to be all truth by sister White herself.

5) What about the claim that only the original writings of sister White, or only the first editions of her publications and books, can be trusted to teach truth from God, and any compilations of her writings, or any later enlarged editions of her books, cannot be trusted to teach only truth from God?

In order to try and prove this claim, the differences between her first published materials verses later enlarged editions are brought forth as “changes”, with the inference that none of these changes can be trusted to be 100% truth.

For instance: They refer to the 9 volumes of Testimonies for the Church were mainly derived from earlier publications titled “Testimonies for the Church” numbers 1-33. They then call these earlier publications as the “Original Writings”, which they state can be trusted to teach 100% truth, while the later 9 volumes are referred to as the changed writings, which cannot be trusted to be the truth.

Another example: They refer to the 1911 edition of the Great Controversy which was derived from the 1888 edition of the Great Controversy, and which are both derived from the 1884 edition of the Great Controversy. This 1884 edition is then referred to as the original writing of sister White which they state can be trusted to teach 100% truth, while these 2 later editions are referred to as the changed writings, which cannot be trusted to be the truth.

But this whole claim is based upon a big and glaring flaw. These so-called "Original Writings" are not actually original writings at all. These 33 earlier publications, and even the 1884 Great Controversy book, were themselves compilations from even earlier writings!

6) God revealed His truth to sister White through visions and dreams, and she would write down all that the Lord had revealed to her. If the Lord revealed to her 5 different subjects in one vision/dream, she would write down all that she could remember on those 5 subjects. This writing was then considered to be a Manuscript, it was given its own number and the day, month and year it was written. If she remembered, or if God revealed to her, more details of that particular vision/dream at a later date, she would then write down this additional information and it was then given a different Manuscript number with its own date. If some of these subjects dealt with a particular individual, she would write that individual a personal letter with what the Lord had revealed to her, and would then retain a copy of this letter for her own records, which was then given a Letter number with the date it was written.

When the book of the Great Controversy was being written, sister White did not just write it all through from the first word to the last word, but she would have material gathered from these Manuscripts and Letters on file that happened to be dealing with this subject. These passages were then placed in the proper section/chapter areas in the book manuscript. This meant that publications/books, like these 33 numbers of the Testimonies to the Church and even the Great Controversy, were actually compilations made from passages obtained from her original Manuscripts and Letters on file.

“How are my books made?...She (Marian Davis) does her work in this way. She takes my articles which are published in the papers, and pastes them in blank books. She also has a copy of all the letters I write. In preparing a chapter for a book, Marian remembers that I have written something on that special point, which may make the matter more forcible. She begins to search for this, and if, when she finds it, she sees that it will make the chapter more clear, she adds it.

"The books are not Marian's productions, but my own, gathered from all my writings. Marian has a large field from which to draw, and her ability to arrange the matter is of great value to me. It saves my poring over a mass of matter, which I have no time to do. So you understand that Marian is a most valuable help to me in bringing out my books.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 91, from Letter 61a, 1900.

“We (Marian) have stood side by side in the work, and in perfect harmony in that work. And when she would be gathering up the precious jots and tittles that had come in papers and books and present it to me, 'Now,' she would say, 'there is something wanted. I cannot supply it.' I would look it over, and in one moment I could trace the line right out. We worked together, just worked together in perfect harmony all the time.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 93, from Manuscript 95, 1904.

These facts reveal that these Manuscripts and Letters are the actual “Original Writings”, and it was from these writings that most all of her publications/books have been compiled, including the 33 numbers of the Testimonies to the Church, as well as the 4 volumes of Spiritual Gifts, the 4 volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy, etc. This proves that none of these publications are the so-called “Original Writings” at all, and any who try and convince you otherwise do not know what they are talking about.

The first Great Controversy book is titled: “The Great Controversy, Between Christ and His Angels, and Satan and His Angels”, and was published in 1858, which is commonly known as Spiritual Gifts, vol 1.

- Part of Volume 3 was enlarged and combined with “Sketches from the Life of Paul” (published in 1883) which became the foundation for the book titled “The Acts of the Apostles”, published in 1911.

- Volume 4 was enlarged and became the foundation for the book titled “The Great Controversy During the Christian Dispensation”, published in 1888, and it was again sightly revised and published in 1911 and titled: “The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan”.

When you compare these greatly enlarged editions with the original 1858 book, you will notice that there are big differences and significant changes between them. Since there are all these changes from the original edition, should these changes make you suspect that these later editions are no longer from sister White and are therefore teaching error? No, because we read earlier that sister White read through and approved these enlarged areas in the book manuscripts before they were published. But many people want you to doubt all these enlarged editions, especially the Devil and his agents!

"I am writing out more fully the volume of Great Controversy (1888 edition) containing the history of the fall of Satan and the introduction of sin into our world; and I can have a more vivid sense of this great controversy between Christ, the Prince of light, and Satan, the prince of darkness, than I have ever had before.“ Testimonies, vol 5, p 625-626, from Letter April 20, 1888.

“I was moved by the Spirit of the Lord to write that book (1888 edition of the Great Controversy), and while working upon it, I felt a great burden upon my soul. I knew that time was short, that the scenes which are soon to crowd upon us would at the last come very suddenly and swiftly, as represented in the words of Scripture: "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

“The Lord has set before me matters which are of urgent importance for the present time, and which reach into the future. The words have been spoken in a charge to me, "Write in a book the things which thou hast seen and heard, and let it go to all people; for the time is at hand when past history will be repeated." I have been aroused at one, two, or three o'clock in the morning, with some point forcibly impressed upon my mind, as if spoken by the voice of God.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 113, from Letter 1, 1890.

“In the preparation of this book (1888 Great Controversy), competent workers were employed and much money was invested in order that the volume might come before the world in the best style possible....

“The Lord impressed me to write this book, in order that without delay it might be circulated in every part of the world, because the warnings it contains are necessary for preparing a people to stand in the day of the Lord.--Manuscript 24, 1891.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 113.

"While writing the manuscript of "Great Controversy," (1888 edition) I was often conscious of the presence of the angels of God. And many times the scenes about which I was writing were presented to me anew in visions of the night, so that they were fresh and vivid in my mind.--Letter 56, 1911.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 112.

“Recently it was necessary for this book (1888 edition) to be reset, because the electrotype plates were badly worn. It has cost me much to have this done, but I do not complain; for whatever the cost may be, I regard this new edition with great satisfaction....

“When I learned that Great Controversy must be reset, I determined that we would have everything closely examined, to see if the truths it contained were stated in the very best manner, to convince those not of our faith that the Lord had guided and sustained me in the writing of its pages.

“As a result of the thorough examination by our most experienced workers, some changing in the wording has been proposed. These changes I have carefully examined, and approved. I am thankful that my life has been spared, and that I have strength and clearness of mind for this and other literary work.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 123-124, from Letter 56, 1911, To F.M. Wilcox, July 25, 1911, from Sanitarium, California.

These statements from sister White reveal that she was closely involved in both the enlarged 1888 edition, as well as the 1911 edition, and that she approved all the changes which were made in both these editions.

9) If enlarging an inspired book by an inspired author makes the newly enlarged book suspect of teaching error and thus should be avoided, then the entire New Testament of the Bible should no longer be trusted to be truth from God when it was added with the Old Testament to make up the complete Bible!

Also, if enlarging an inspired book by the inspired author themselves makes the new enlarged book suspect of teaching error and thus should be avoided, then the entire book of Jeremiah should no longer be trusted to be truth from God!

“And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day....And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying...go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities....

“Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people....Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words....

“So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king....And it came to pass, [that] when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast [it] into the fire that [was] on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that [was] on the hearth....

“Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.” Jeremiah 36:1-2, 5-6, 10, 16, 21, 23, 32.

These verses reveal that after the original book of Jeremiah had been written, it was destroyed by the king, and when it was re-written it was enlarged to include “many like words” inspired by God. This meant that this enlarged book of Jeremiah was actually the second edition, and yet it was all inspired by God, just like the first edition had been. All the differences and changes appearing in the second edition of the book of Jeremiah could be trusted to teach the truth just like the first edition, because all these changes were inspired by God through His prophet. In fact, this second edition was better than the original edition because of all the greater light that was added! It is the same with the enlarging of some of the books of sister White.

“My work has been in the field since 1845. Ever since then I have labored with pen and voice. Increased light has come to me as I have imparted the light given me. I have very much more light on the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which I shall present to our people.-- Letter 61a, 1900.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 90.

This inspired passage reveals that even though sister White had already shared many truths she had received from God, she still had “very much more light” to “present to our people”. This greater light from God could shed deeper and significant insights into subject matter which had already been published, which would then justify enlarging these publications with this greater light so that more people could be benefitted. But the Devil would try and prevent that, and would lead people to believe that these changes to sister White’s original book were something to be feared and to be avoided at all costs. This is exactly what many of us see and hear happening among our separated people, showing that this Great Controversy between Christ and Satan is continuing on.

11) Regardless of how much truth is shared, some will still not be convinced. How can we then reach these individuals and show them their misunderstanding, unreasonable and extreme erroneous beliefs?

“I was directed by a messenger from heaven not to take the burden of picking up and answering all the sayings and doubts that are being put into many minds. "Stand as the messenger of God anywhere, in any place," I was bidden "and bear the testimony I shall give you. Be free. Bear the testimonies that the Lord has for you to bear in reproof, in rebuke, in the work of encouraging and lifting up the soul; 'teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'" Ms 61, 1906, p. 1. ("Hold Fast the Beginning of Your Confidence," June 3, 1906.)” Manuscript Releases, vol 1, p 35.