Introduction

Light—how important it is for us! In the beginning God said, “Let there be light.” ^{1Endnotes Genesis 1:3.} A few days later He created Adam and Eve, “cloth[ing] them with a covering of light and glory.” ^{2. Patriarchs and Prophets, 45.} Many years later in the wilderness He led Israel by the pillar of cloud by day and light by night. ^{3. Exodus 14:19, 20.} God has employed light in its many forms—real and symbolic—for the benefit of His people.LSS 1.1

Ellen White unhesitatingly declared that “Christ loves His church.” (Sons and Daughters of God, 13) ^{4Sons and Daughters of God, 13, Manuscript 52, 1901.} Is it any wonder then that exactly as foretold—at the same time as God called our church into existence—in His love and wisdom He gave us another special gift of light by renewing the gift of prophecy in our midst? As Revelation 19:10 so beautifully describes it,LSS 1.2

“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Speaking about that unfathomable love that Jesus has for His church, Ellen White wrote,LSS 1.3

“The church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by his Holy Spirit. Will we, as members of His church, allow Him to impress our minds and to work through us to His glory?”—Sons and Daughters of God, 13. ^{5. Ibid., Manuscript 155, 1902.}

Little wonder then that in His love and concern for us, Jesus would choose to bring light directly to His endtime people. Consequently, since our earliest days, Seventh-day Adventists have believed that Ellen White was the recipient of the gift of prophecy. Our pioneers witnessed for themselves God’s leading in the founding of our movement, experiencing first hand His blessing through the messages He gave Ellen White. They soon learned that when they followed the Spirit of prophecy counsels, they prospered and were blessed; but when they did not, they faltered and stumbled.LSS 1.4

Today, various voices both within and without Adventism are urging that we take another look at Ellen White. Some are now saying that, like eccentric old Uncle Homer and Aunt Hortense who everyone in the family know but all hope will not show up at the next family reunion, it is time for the church to consign Ellen White to the denomination’s attic. She was O. K. in her time, but, they claim, that time has now long passed.LSS 1.5

However, Solomon insightfully stated in Proverbs 29:18,LSS 2.1

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”