A fair number of statements are in circulation that apparently have been
falsely attributed to Ellen White. How can we identify such statements? The
first clue that they are apocryphal for those who are familiar with Ellen
White's writings is that such statements are often out of harmony with the
general tenor of her thought. That is, they seem strange when compared to the
bulk of her ideas, appear to be out of place in her mouth. Strangeness, of
course, is not proof that we are dealing with an apocryphal statement. It is
merely an indication.
The safest way to test the authenticity of an Ellen White statement is to
ask for the reference to its source. Once we know where it is found, we can
check to see if Ellen White said it and also examine the wording and context to
determine if it has been interpreted correctly.
The issue of supposed statements also came up in Mrs. White's lifetime. Her
fullest treatment of the problem appears in volume 5 of Testimonies for the
Church, pages 692 through 696. It can be examined profitably by all readers
of Ellen White's writings:
"Beware," she says, "how you give credence to such reports"
(p. 694). She concludes her discussion of the topic with the following words: "To
all who have a desire for truth I would say: Do not give credence to
unauthenticated reports as to what Sister White has done or said or written. If
you desire to know what the Lord has revealed through her, read her published
works. . . . Do not eagerly catch up and report rumors as to what she has said"
(p. 696).
While we can no longer send supposed statements to Ellen White for her
verification, we can contact the White Estate office at the General Conference
headquarters or visit the nearest SDA-Ellen G. White Research Center to verify
the authenticity of a statement or to inquire about other questions we might
have.
[Condensed and adapted from George R. Knight, Reading Ellen White
(Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1997), pp.
43-123. Available from Adventist Book Centers: 1-800-765-6955 or Review and
Herald Publishing Association: http://www.rhpa.org]