Question
Dear gramps,
Are the writings of Ellen White truly inspired and in harmony with the bible? I see many people accept her teachings but I can see some confusing statements from her. Can you explain whether Ellen G White is truly a prophet?
Anonymous
Answer
Anonymous,
Ellen G. White is one of the founders of the Seventh-Day Adventists. When considering a person a prophet, an individual must take into account of the meaning of a prophet. We can categorize a prophet under three defining terms:
A person who has a testimony of Jesus Christ
A person who has received a revelation from God
A person given keys and priesthood authority to lead and guide
From the perspective of a Latter-day Saint, we would not consider Ms. Ellen G. White as a prophet, meaning, a person who was given priesthood keys to lead, guide, and direct the affairs of the Lord’s kingdom upon this earth.
Her writings speak of her faith in Jesus Christ. Thus we could consider Ms. White a prophetess according to 1 and 2 of the list provided. She has a testimony of Jesus Christ which can only be given through the Holy Spirit.
As a Latter-Day Saint I would look at her words similarly as we look at the Apocrypha. Is there insightful truth to be found in these books, yes. Are all the words within the Apocrypha spoken by the spirit, and are true, no.
Gramps
