What were Ellen White's visions like? Are there any eye-witness accounts?
The work of anyone who claims to bear God's message must meet the sure
tests of the Word of God, such as, "by their fruits ye shall know them," "to
the law and to the testimony," the fulfillment of predictions, etc. While the
physical phenomena that sometimes accompanied the visions do not rightfully
form a test, they did supply, in the minds of most eyewitnesses, confirmatory
evidence of the working of divine power. Those who personally witnessed Ellen
White in vision observed very carefully what took place. From the
eyewitness
accounts available, we can build the following summary:
- 1. Immediately preceding a vision, both Mrs. White and others in the
room experienced a deep sense of the presence of God .
- 2. As the vision began, Ellen White would exclaim "Glory!" or "Glory
to God!", at times repeated.
- 3. She experienced a loss of physical strength.
- 4. Subsequently, she often manifested supernatural strength.
- 5. She did not breathe, but her heartbeat continued normally, and the
color in her cheeks was natural.
- 6. Occasionally she gave exclamations indicative of the scene being
presented to her.
- 7. Her eyes were open, not with vacant stare, but as if she were
intently watching something.
- 8. Her position might vary. At times she was seated; at times
reclining; at times she walked about the room and made graceful gestures as she
spoke of matters presented.
- 9. She was absolutely unconscious of what was occurring about her.
She neither saw, heard, felt, nor perceived in any way her immediate
surroundings or happenings.
- 10. The close of the vision was indicated by a deep inhalation,
followed in about a minute by another, and very soon her natural breathing
resumed.
- 11. Immediately after the vision all seemed very dark to her.
- 12. Within a short time she regained her natural strength and
abilities.