Summary and Conclusions

A careful study of Ellen White's letters and manuscripts will pay special attention to their thematic scope and focus, inspiration and authority, context, interpretation, and practical application. While covering a broad thematic scope, they continually uplift Christ and His atoning work. From the perspective of divine authorship, her prophetic writings bear the same authority as the noncanonical biblical prophets, but from the perspective of practical function, they are “a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light”^{18Ellen G. White, “An Open Letter From Mrs. E. G. White to All Who Love the Blessed Hope,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Jan. 20, 1903, p. 15. An insightful discussion on the “greater light” / “lesser light” analogy is provided in Coon, pp. 21-24.} of the Bible. Basic for their interpretation is the understanding of both the authorial contexts and the original readers’ contexts. The interpretation should take into consideration the historical, grammatical, and thematic levels. Yet the whole hermeneutical process should culminate in an adequate practical application of those writings in the daily life of the reader.1EGWLM 39.4

Within this treasure of counsel and instruction from Ellen White's personal writings the reader will find principles related to almost every circumstance in life. While time has changed life in form, it has not changed in essence. All human beings continue to be sinners in need of the saving grace of God. Therefore, the reader should see this wonderful collection as a valuable tool to help “make Christ first and last and best in everything.”^{19Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 46.}1EGWLM 40.1