There were times when institutions or buildings which in the future would constitute a part of our institutions, were shown to Mrs. White before they were erected, and at times before they were planned. She refers to one such instance in a letter written in 1903: EGWMR 10.17
“I have been thinking of how, after we began sanitarium work in Battle Creek, sanitarium buildings all ready for occupation were shown to me in vision. The Lord instructed me as to the way in which the work in these buildings should be conducted in order for it to exert a saving influence on the patients. EGWMR 10.18
“All this seemed very real to me, but when I awoke I found that the work was yet to be done, that there were no buildings erected. EGWMR 10.19
“Another time I was shown a large building going up on the site on which the Battle Creek Sanitarium was afterward erected. The brethren were in great perplexity as to who should take charge of the work. I wept sorely. One of authority stood up among us, and said, ‘Not yet. You are not ready to invest means in that building, or to plan for its future management.’ EGWMR 11.1
“At this time the foundation of the sanitarium had been laid. But we needed to learn the lesson of waiting.”—E. G. White Letter 135, 1903. EGWMR 11.2