Spiritual Gifts and Church Membership

Regarding this phase of the question, the messenger of the Lord, writing in 1862, gives this guiding counsel:TOJ 138.3

“In the last vision given at Battle Creek I was shown that an unwise course was taken at ----- in regard to the visions at the time of the organization of the church there. There were some in ----- who were God’s children, and yet doubted the visions. Others had no opposition, yet dared not take a decided stand in regard to them. Some were skeptical, and they had sufficient cause to make them so. The false visions and fanatical exercises and the wretched fruits following, had an influence upon the cause in Wisconsin, to make minds jealous of everything bearing the name of visions. All these things should have been taken into consideration, and wisdom exercised. There should be no trial or labor with those who have never seen the individual having visions, and who have had no personal knowledge of the influence of the visions. Such should not be deprived of the benefits and privileges of the church, if their Christian course is otherwise correct, and they have formed a good Christian character.TOJ 138.4

“Some, I was shown, could receive the published visions, ^{1The “published visions” at this time consisted of two small books and a few pamphlets.} judging of the tree by its fruits. Others are like doubting Thomas; they cannot believe the published Testimonies, nor receive evidence through the testimony of others, but must see and have the experience for themselves. Such must not be set aside, but long patience and brotherly love should be exercised toward them until they find their position and become established for or against. If they fight against the visions, of which they have no knowledge; if they carry their opposition so far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience, and feel annoyed when those who believe that the visions are of God speak of them in meeting, and comfort themselves with the instruction given through vision, the church may know that they are not right.TOJ 138.5

“God’s people should not cringe and yield and give up their liberty to such disaffected ones. God has placed the gifts in the church that the church may be benefited by them; and when professed believers in the truth oppose these gifts, and fight against the visions, souls are in danger through their influence, and it is time then to labor with them, that the weak may not be led astray by their influence.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:327-329.TOJ 139.1