Across cultures and religious systems, there have been people who claim communication with spiritual beings. These individuals include mediums, shamans, medicine persons, spirit workers, channelers, mystics, occultists, diviners, seers, visionaries, sorcerers, witches, conjurers, etc. Terms used for the entities they interact with include spirit beings, spirit guides, ascended masters, light beings, angels, guardian spirits, familiar spirits, guides, controls, communicators, helping spirits, ancestor spirits, animal spirits, totems, power animals, star beings, cosmic masters, etc.

God is explicit in scripture that these beings exist and interact with and through people. He commands his followers to test the spirits, and not to interact with the demonic. 

If one is to listen to the vast number of testimonies from those who have left the occult in order to follow Jesus, they will hear countless testimonies of supernatural experiences and astral projections (a medium being gifted, by a vision, the experience of seeing others through the movement and vision of demons). It is evident that Ellen was spoken to and at times inhabited by spiritual entities. Ellen believed that her "guides" were angels of God, but she accepted revelations from them that were contrary to scripture; so did she herself adequately test the spirits that came to her?  Was Ellen deceived by demons because she failed to test their messages against the word of God?

As the reader examines the supernatural manifestations of Ellen while in vision, they are encouraged to ask themselves whether or not they would have listened to the spirit operating behind Ellen’s testimonies if they were to witness her visions first hand. Being that her supernatural manifestations were near-identical to many of the other visionaries in her era, how would the reader have tested her spirit to see whether or not it was from God?

 

Scripture:

• “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:31

 

• “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people."... "A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads." Leviticus 20:6, 27

 

• "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you." Deuteronomy 18:10-12

 

Ellen G. White:

 

Evidence of Spirit Guides and Possible Astral Projection (Utilized in the Occult/witchcraft)

 

• “Several speakers had addressed large and attentive congregations at the camp meeting at Rome, N. Y., on first-day, September 12, 1875. The following night I dreamed that a young man of noble appearance came into the room where I was, immediately after I had been speaking. This same person has appeared before me in important dreams to instruct me from time to time during the past twenty-six years. Said he, You have called the attention of the people to important subjects, which, to a large number, are strange and new…” White, E. G. (1875, November 4). A remarkable dream. The Review snd Herald, 46(18). https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/821.2230#2233 

 

• "Said my Instructor..." Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 249  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/23.1199#1200  

 

• "The Spirit of the Lord came into the meeting, and my guide addressed words to different ones who were present. He said..." Letter 14, 1981 https://text.egwwritings.org/read/14057.7045001 

 

• “Again and again I have been taken by my guide to hear words and assertions which were untrue, but which were spoken with great earnestness in order to captivate the minds of men with reference to authors and their books, and in regard to money and how it should be used.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, p. 188 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/63.974#1010 

 

• “Dear Brother Church: In the night season I was visited by a heavenly messenger who said, “Follow me.” …”Your case was also presented before me, and I saw that you were not walking in the light.” Letters and Manuscripts, Vol 6, Letter 8 (1890) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14056.5046001#5046001 

 

• "While in Europe the things that transpired in _____ were opened before me. A voice said, “Follow me, and I will show you the sins that are practiced by those who stand in responsible positions.” I went through the rooms, and I saw you, a watchman upon the walls of Zion, were very intimate with another man’s wife, betraying sacred trusts, crucifying your Lord afresh. Did you consider that there was a Watcher, the Holy One, who was witnessing your evil work, seeing your actions and hearing your words, and these are also registered in the books of heaven? She was sitting on your lap; you were kissing her, and she was kissing you. Other scenes of fondness, sensual looks and deportment, were presented before me, which sent a thrill of horror through my soul. Your arm encircled her waist, and the fondness expressed was having a bewitching influence. Then a curtain was lifted, and I was shown you in bed with ______. My Guide said, “Iniquity, adultery.” Letters and Manuscripts, Vol. 5, Letter 16 (1888) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14055.4231001#4231019 

 

• "In a vision last night I saw you writing. One looked over your shoulder, and said, “You, my friend, are in danger.”...   Let me tell you of a scene that I witnessed while in Oakland. Angels clothed with beautiful garments, like angels of light, were escorting Dr. Kellogg from place to place and inspiring him to speak words of pompous boasting that were offensive to God....   Soon after the Oakland Conference, in the night season the Lord portrayed before me a scene in which Satan, clothed in a most attractive disguise, was earnestly pressing close to the side of Dr. Kellogg. I saw and heard much. Night after night I was bowed down in agony of soul, as I saw this personage talking with our brother…” Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, p. 190 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/73.1851#992 

 

• "I was shown that neither of you really know yourselves. If God should let the enemy loose upon you, as He did upon His servant Job, He would not find in you that spirit of steadfast integrity that He found in Job, but a spirit of murmuring and of unbelief.”... “I saw you listening to the conversation of men and women, and saw that you were only too pleased to gather up their views and impressions that were detrimental to our labors." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 311 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/119.1436#1437 

 

Evidence of Possession

 

Complete Dissociation, Falling to Floor, Supernatural Strength, Absence of Breathing

• J. N. Loughborough: “I will state some facts relative to the visions. The first time I saw Mrs. E. G. White (formerly Miss Harmon) was in October, 1852. On that day I saw her in a vision that lasted over one hour. Since that time I have had the privilege of seeing her in vision about fifty times. I have been present when physicians have examined her while in this state, and I esteem it a pleasure to bear testimony to what I have seen and know. I trust a narration of the facts in the case may not be carelessly cast aside for the random suppositions of those who have never seen her in this condition.  In passing into vision she gives three enrapturing shouts of "Glory!" which echo and re-echo, the second, and especially the third, fainter, but more thrilling than the first, the voice resembling that of one quite a distance from you, and just going out of hearing. For about four or five seconds she seems to drop down like a person in a swoon, or one having lost his strength; she then seems to be instantly filled with superhuman strength, sometimes rising at once to her feet and walking about the room. There are frequent movements of the hands and arms, pointing to the right or left as her head turns. All these movements are made in a most graceful manner. In whatever position the hand or arm may be placed, it is impossible for anyone to move it. Her eyes are always open, but she does not wink; her head is raised, and she is looking upward, not with a vacant stare, but with a pleasant expression, only differing from the normal in that she appears to be looking intently at some distant object. She does not breathe, yet her pulse beats regularly. Her countenance is pleasant, and the color of her face as florid as in her natural state. Her condition as to breathing, loss of strength, and being made strong as the angel of God touches her, all agree perfectly with the description given by the prophet Daniel of his own experience in vision when he says: "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." "For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 
  • If just one person saw Ellen in vision fifty times, and she is said to have had thousands of visions, there is evidence Ellen was in vision more often than any of the biblical prophets. This is something to consider, since this is not consistent with the way in which God gave visions to anyone beforehand.
  • It should also be noted that just because someone has supernatural manifestations similar to the prophet Daniel, this is not the test that the spirit inhabiting the person is from God; as demons can also cause someone to drop to the floor, give them supernatural strength, and cease them from breathing. 

 

• M. G. Kellogg: "Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision every one present seemed to feel the power and presence of God, and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about nine o'clock. Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed, and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that He would bless the meeting with His presence, and that He would bless the work in Michigan. As Sister White gave that triumphant shout of 'Glory! g-l-o-r-y! g-l-o-r-y!' which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision, Brother White arose and informed the audience that his wife was in vision. After stating the manner of her visions, and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited any one who wished to do so to come forward and examine her. Dr. Drummond, a physician, who was also a First-day Adventist preacher, who (before he saw her in vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric origin, and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward, and after a thorough examination, turned very pale, and remarked, 'She doesn't breathe!' "I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication we had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first; then a pause of two minutes, and a third inhalation, after which the breathing became natural." Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• F. C. Castle: "A physician was present, and made such examination of her as his wisdom and learning dictated, to find the cause of the manifestation. A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration. The result was that he was satisfied that it could not be accounted for on natural or scientific principles." Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• D. H. Lamson: "I was then seventeen years old. It seems to me I can almost hear those thrilling shouts of 'G-l-o-r-y!' which she uttered. Then she sank back to the floor, not falling, but sinking gently, and was supported in the arms of an attendant. Two physicans came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking-glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but very soon they gave this up, and said, 'She doesn't breathe.' Then they closely examined her sides, as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the book.  "She had a view of the seven last plagues. Then she saw the triumph of the saints, and her shouts of triumph I can seem to hear even now. To these facts I freely testify." Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Fowler: "We were present when (in February, 1857) Sister E. G. White had a vision in Waldron's Hall, Hillsdale. Dr. Lord made an examination, and said, 'Her heart beats, but there is no breath. There is life, but no action of the lungs; I cannot account for this condition.'" Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• D. T. Bourdeau: "June 28, 1857, I saw Sister Ellen G. White in vision for the first time. I was an unbeliever in the visions; but one circumstance among others that I might mention convinced me that her visions were of God. To satisfy my mind as to whether she breathed or not, I first put my hand on her chest sufficiently long to know that there was no more heaving of the lungs than there would have been had she been a corpse. I then took my hand and placed it over her mouth, pinching her nostrils between my thumb and forefinger, so that it was impossible for her to exhale or inhale air, even if she had desired to do so. I held her thus with my hand about ten minutes, long enough for her to suffocate under ordinary circumstances; she was not in the least affected by this ordeal. Since witnessing this wonderful phenomenon, I have not once been inclined to doubt the divine origin of her visions." Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• James White (Ellen’s husband): "1. She is utterly unconscious of everything transpiring around her, as has been proved by the most rigid tests, but views herself as removed from this world, and in the presence of heavenly beings.  2. She does not breathe. During the entire period of her continuance in vision, which has at different times ranged from fifteen minutes to three hours, there is no breath, as has been repeatedly proved by pressing upon the chest, and by closing the mouth and nostrils.  3. Immediately on entering vision, her muscles become rigid, and joints fixed, so far as any external force can influence them. At the same time her movements and gestures, which are frequent, are free and graceful, and cannot be hindered nor controlled by the strongest person.  4. On coming out of vision, whether in the daytime or a well-lighted room at night, all is total darkness. Her power to distinguish even the most brilliant objects, held within a few inches of the eyes, returns but gradually.” Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/ 

 

• George I. Butler: “For nearly thirty years past these visions have been given with greater or less frequency, and have been witnessed by many, oftentimes by unbelievers as well as those believing them. They generally, but not always, occur in the midst of earnest seasons of religious interest while the Spirit of God is specially present, if those can tell who are in attendance. The time Mrs. White is in this condition has varied from fifteen minutes to one hundred and eighty. During this time the heart and pulse continue to beat, the eyes are always wide open, and seem to be gazing at some far-distant object, and are never fixed on any person or thing in the room. They are always directed upward. They exhibit a pleasant expression. There is no ghastly look or any resemblance of fainting. The brightest light may be suddenly brought near her eyes, or feints made as if to thrust something into the eye, and there is never the slightest wink or change of expression on that account; and it is sometimes hours and even days after she comes out of this condition before she recovers her natural sight. She says it seems to her that she comes back into a dark world, yet her eyesight is in nowise injured by her visions. While she is in vision, her breathing entirely ceases. No breath ever escapes her nostrils or lips when in this condition. This has been proved by many witnesses, among them physicians of skill, and themselves unbelievers in the visions, on some occasions being appointed by a public congregation for the purpose. It has been proved many times by tightly holding the nostrils and mouth with the hand, and by putting a looking glass before them so close that any escape of the moisture of the breath would be detected. In this condition she often speaks words and short sentences, yet not the slightest breath escapes. When she goes into this condition, there is no appearance of swooning or faintness, her face retains its natural color, and the blood circulates as usual. Often she loses her strength temporarily and reclines or sits; but at other times she stands up. She moves her arms gracefully, and often her face is lighted up with radiance as though the glory of heaven rested upon her. She is utterly unconscious of everything going on around her while she is in vision, having no knowledge whatever of what is said and done in her presence. A person may pinch her flesh, and do things which would cause great and sudden pain in her ordinary condition, and she will not notice it by the slightest tremor. There are none of the disgusting grimaces or contortions which usually attend spiritualist mediums, but calm, dignified, and impressive, her very appearance strikes the beholder with reverence and solemnity. There is nothing fanatical in her appearance. When she comes out of this condition she speaks and writes from time to time what she has seen while in vision; and the supernatural character of these visions is seen even more clearly in what she thus reveals than in her appearance and condition while in vision, for many things have thus been related which it was impossible for her to know in any other way. Peculiar circumstances in the lives of individuals, whom she never before had seen in the flesh, and secrets hidden from the nearest acquaintances, have been made known by her when she had no personal knowledge of the parties other than by vision. Often has she been in an audience where she was wholly unacquainted with the individuals composing it, when she would get up and point out person after person whom she never had seen before, in the flesh, and tell them what they had done, and reprove their sins. I might mention many other items of like nature, but space forbids. These things can be proved by any amount of testimony, and we confidently affirm that they are of such a character that they could not be accomplished by deception." Eyewitness accounts of Ellen White in vision. Ellen G. White Estate. https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-eyewitns-html/
  • Besides the supernatural lack of breathing, Ellen was also relaying knowledge given to her by a spiritual entity to human beings regarding their personal lives. If these entities were demons, then she was acting as a medium.

 

The Big Bible - Supernatural Strength, Speaking without Breathing

• “Sister Ellen was taken off in vision with extraordinary manifestations, and continued talking in vision with a clear voice, which could be distinctly understood by all present, until about sundown. Sargent, Robbins, and French were much exasperated, as well as excited, to hear Sister Ellen talk in vision, which they declared was of the devil; they exhausted all their influence and bodily strength to destroy the effect of the vision. They would unite in singing very loud, and then alternately would talk and read from the Bible in a loud voice, in order that Ellen might not be heard, until their strength was exhausted, and their hands would shake so they could not read from the Bible, but amidst all this confusion and noise, Ellen’s clear and shrill voice, as she talked in vision, was distinctly heard by all present. The opposition of these men continued as long as they could talk and sing, notwithstanding some of their own friends rebuked them, and requested them to stop. But said Robbins, ‘You are bowed to an idol: you are worshiping a golden calf.’  “Mr. Thayer, the owner of the house, was not fully satisfied that her vision was of the devil, as Robbins declared it to be. He wanted it tested in some way. He had heard that visions of Satanic power were arrested by opening the Bible and laying it on the person in vision, and asked Sargent if he would test it in that way, which he declined to do. Then Mr. Thayer took a heavy, large quarto family Bible which was lying on the table, and seldom used, opened it, and laid it open upon the breast of Ellen while in vision, as she was then inclined backward against the wall in the corner of the room. Immediately after the Bible was laid upon her, she arose upon her feet, and walked into the middle of the room, with the Bible open in one hand, and lifted up as high as she could reach, and with her eyes steadily looking upward, declared in a solemn manner, ‘The inspired testimony from God,’ or words of the same import. And then, while the Bible was extended in one hand, and her eyes looking upward, and not on the Bible, she continued for a long time to turn over the leaves with her other hand, and place her finger upon certain passages, and correctly utter their words with a solemn voice. Many present looked at the passages where her finger was pointed, to see if she spoke them correctly, for her eyes at the same time were looking upward. Some of the passages referred to were judgments against the wicked and blasphemers; and others were admonitions and instructions relative to our present condition.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 242 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1498#1499 

 

• "I will here state some facts respecting her third vision, the one given in her father’s house, mentioned in Chapter XIII, page 212, as related to me by Mrs. White’s father and mother, by her sister, Mrs. Sarah Belden, and others.  In the room where the vision was given, there was lying on the bureau a very large family Bible. It was one of an edition printed in Boston by Joseph Teale, in the year 1822. The book is eighteen by eleven inches, four inches in thickness, and weighs a little over eighteen pounds. While in vision, she arose, and took this heavy Bible on her left arm, the book lying open, and held it out at right angles with her body; and then for over half an hour, with her right hand, turned from place to place, and pointed to different texts of Scriptures, which she repeated while her eyes were looking upward, and in an opposite direction from the book. Her sister Sarah (afterward the wife of Stephen Belden), or, at times, some other person present, looked at every text to which her finger pointed, and saw clearly that in every instance she was repeating the scripture upon which her finger was resting. Mother Harmon said her daughter Ellen in her natural condition “was unable, for lack of strength, to lift that heavy Bible from the bureau; but in the vision she held it as easily, apparently, as though it were only a pocket Testament.”   Here, indeed, was a wonder!—a delicate girl, weighing only seventy pounds, holding a heavy Bible for over half an hour in a position in which a strong man could not hold it for two minutes; again, turning from place to place to texts of Scripture which proved in every instance to be the text she repeated, while her eyes were turned upward and in an opposite direction from the book; and lastly, a voice emanating from a person with no movement of the lungs or breath in the body, and repeated correctly the designated texts of Scripture,—this surely is above the charge of being produced by human agency, or as being the effect of disease. Those who saw it regarded it as most clearly a manifestation of the Spirit of Him who spake from the burning bush. Such manifestations as these in Miss Harmon’s third vision, where known, carried convincing proof that a power more than finite was in the visions.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 236 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1462#1463 

 

• “The Adventist meetings at that time were held in the house of Mr. Curtiss. Mrs. Frances Lunt (formerly Miss Frances Howland), of Oakland, Cal., gave me the following statement, dated Jan. 19, 1890:—   “I, with my father’s family, attended the meetings of Sister Harmon in Topsham, in 1845, and during these meetings she had a vision. It was the first time we ever saw her in vision. One of those old-fashioned Bibles [the Teale Family Bible, weighing eighteen pounds] was owned by Brother Curtiss. This big Bible was taken from the bureau by Sister Harmon while in vision, and texts of Scripture were pointed out by her as she turned from leaf to leaf, while her eyes were looking upward, and away from the book. The texts she repeated were either words of instruction, encouragement, or reproof. Another peculiarity of the manifestation at that time was the position of the book. It was held on her open hand at an angle of forty-five degrees, and no one else was able to hold any book at a similar angle without its slipping at once from the hands; but Sister Harmon held this Bible at that angle for several minutes, as firmly as though it was stuck to her hand, she passing meanwhile from one to another in the room.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 237 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1468#1468 

 

• "Mrs. M. C. Truesdail, of Trenton, Mo., dated Jan. 27, 1891. She says:  'I was fifteen years old in 1845, and was present at the time of Sister Harmon’s first visit to Topsham, when she had the vision at the house of Brother Curtiss, where she took up the great family Bible and held it up in a position in which none of the others could hold a book on the hands without its slipping off at once. Sister Harmon was in vision over two hours. It was the most wonderful manifestation of the power of God I ever witnessed, and I have seen her in vision more than one dozen times. These were always occasions of deep solemnity and self-examination, but this exceeded them all. O! how we trembled as the Majesty of heaven instructed us through his feeble instrument; as she read to us passages so comforting and appropriate in our trying position; such as Hebrews 2:2, 3; James 5:7, 8; Hebrews 10:35, 39; 1 Peter 1:7; Luke 12:32-37, besides many others, holding the large family Bible so high that I was obliged to stand on a chair to read where she was pointing. I do not think Sister Harmon was over two inches the taller.'  Such manifestations convinced the candid that some power more than human was controlling the humble instrument, and calls come from various parts of New England for her to come and deliver her testimony.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 238 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1473#1473  

 

Supernaturally Reciting Scripture:

• “Mrs. Frances Lunt (daughter of S. Howland), on the 19th of January, 1890, said to me: “There was at the side of the room where the meetings were held, a table upon which were a number of books of various kinds, among which were several Bibles of ordinary size. While in vision, Mrs. White rose to her feet, went to the table, picked up a Bible without touching another book, and holding it open above her head with her left hand, with the index finger of the right hand pointed to the text of Scripture she was repeating as she stood before the person for whom it was designed, and then placed the open book on the chest of the person before whom she repeated the scripture. Returning to the table, she took another Bible, and in the same manner repeated another text of Scripture and placed the open Bible on the chest of the individual she was addressing. This act was repeated to about half a dozen persons; after which in a graceful manner, she took her seat in a chair, while her eyes were all the while looking upward and away from the book.” Of this Mrs. Truesdail says: “I was present [April, 1847] when Sister White went to the table and picked up one Bible after another from among the books that were on the table, laying the Bible on the breast of the one for whom she had a text of Scripture. This was done while her eyes were uplifted toward heaven. On this occasion she held the Bible above her head while speaking to me; and then she placed it upon my breast. The passage given me was 2 Corinthians 6:17.”  In a letter from Mrs. Frances Lunt, she gives the names of three persons who were present on this occasion, and on whom the Bibles were laid while Mrs. White talked to them on the text for each, and among the names was that of Mrs. Truesdail.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 244 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1510#1511 

 

A Vicious Horse Supernaturally Tamed:

“Shortly after this meeting in Topsham, another striking incident occurred in connection with the visions, which I will relate as told me by Elder Bates:  Elder White had the use of a partly broken colt and a two-seated market wagon, which was constructed without a dash-board, but had a step across the front of the wagon, and an iron step from the shafts. It was necessary that extreme care be taken in driving the colt, as in case the lines or anything touched his flanks he would instantly kick furiously, and he had to be held in continually with a taut rein to keep him from running. This colt belonged to a party to whose place they wished to go, and as Elder White had been used to managing unbroken colts, he thought he would have no serious trouble with this one. Had they known, however, that during its frantic demonstrations it had previously killed two men, one by crushing him against the rocks by the roadside, he might have been less confident.   On this occasion there were four persons in the wagon, Elder White and his wife upon the front seat, and Elder Bates and Israel Damon on the back seat. While Elder White was giving his utmost care to keep the horse under control, Mrs. White was conversing about the truth, when the power of God came down upon the company and she was taken off in vision, seated in the wagon. The moment she shouted “Glory!” as she went into vision, the colt suddenly stopped perfectly still, and dropped his head. At the same time Mrs. White arose, while in this state, and with her eyes looking upward, stepped over the front of the wagon, down on to the shafts, with her hands on the colt’s haunches. Elder Bates called out to Elder White, “The colt will kick that woman to death.” Elder White replied, “The Lord has the colt in charge now; I do not wish to interfere.” The colt stood as gentle as an old horse. By the roadside the bank rose up some six feet, and next to the fence was a grassy place. Mrs. White, with her eyes still upward, not once looking down, went up the bank on to the grassy plot, then walked back and forth for a few minutes, talking and describing the beauties of the new earth. Then, with her head in the same posture, she came down the bank, walked up to the wagon, stepped up on to the steps, with her hand on the rump of the colt, and so up on to the shafts, and into the wagon again. The moment she sat down upon the seat she came out of vision, and that instant the horse, without any indication from the driver, started up, and went on his way.   While Mrs. White was out of the wagon, Elder White thought he would test the horse, and see if he was really tame or not. At first he just touched him with the whip; at other times the horse would have responded with a kick, but now there was no motion. He then struck him quite a blow, then harder, and still harder. The colt paid no attention to the blows whatever, but seemed as harmless as the lions whose mouths the angels shut the night Daniel spent in their den. “It was a solemn place,” said Elder Bates, “and it was evident that the same Power that produced the visions, for the time being subdued the wild nature of the colt.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 261  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1619#1620 

 

 

Evidence for Automatic Writing (Used in the Occult/witchcraft)

• “After I received word in regard to the excellent meeting of confession and unity that has been held in Battle Creek, I was writing in my diary, and was about to record the thankfulness I felt because a change had come, when my hand was arrested, and there came to me the words: “Write it not. No change for the better has taken place. The doctor is ensnared in a net of specious deception. He is presenting as of great worth things that are turning souls from the truth into bye and forbidden paths; things that lead human agents to act in harmony with their own inclinations, and to work out their unsanctified purposes; things that result in destroying the dignity and power of God’s people, obscuring the light that would otherwise come to them from God through His appointed agencies.” … “The Lord forbids that every sanitarium and bathhouse established should be brought under one control—bound up with the medical institution at Battle Creek. The managers of the Battle Creek Sanitarium have their hands full now. They should devote their strength to the work of making this Sanitarium what it should be. The light given me of God is that Dr. Kellogg is assuming too much responsibility in these matters. He is not to think that he can be conscience for every one of our medical workers; for men are to look to the Lord God of heaven alone for wisdom and guidance. In establishing and developing medical institutions, our brethren must not be asked to work in accordance with the plans of a ruling, kingly power. A change must be brought about. Dr. Kellogg must see and understand this and bind about his desires to fasten every medical institution to the central organization at Battle Creek. The Lord forbids.” Letter 216 (1903) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/9950.1#9 

 

 

Bizarre Visions

Within the context that Ellen was one of many visionaries of her day, it is relevant for the reader to read some of her most bizarre visions and ask themselves on what basis they believe these visions were of God. 

 

Angels holding Golden Cards, Enoch on another planet, Jerusalem and Orion Nebula: 

Ellen claimed that angels hold a “golden card” to enter Heaven, had a vision of Enoch on another planet, and claimed the New Jerusalem will come to earth through the Orion nebula:

• “Then my attending angel directed me to the City again, where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the City, and were just presenting the golden card to the angel at the gate. ...All the angels that are commissioned to visit the earth, hold a golden card which they present to the angels at the gates of the City, as they pass in and out. Heaven is a good place. …The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the City to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes, they were noble, majestic and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was—“we have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth. There I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the City. The fruit of both looked beautiful; but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me—“none in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat they would fall.” Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. Then I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated…I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said “it is not; but the City is my home, and I have come to visit this place.” He moved about the place as if perfectly at home. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said—“you must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handy work of God…December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said “heaven” (in giving the signs recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke,) he meant heaven, and when he said “earth” he meant earth…Dark, heavy clouds came up, and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back, then we could look up through the open space in Orion, from whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space.” Present Truth, August 1 (1849) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/517.1#18 

 

Vision of Outer Space:

Ellen appeared to have a vision of outer space in front of Joseph Bates, a retired Sea Captain who was extensively interested and knowledgeable in astronomy, but at the time was not yet convinced in Ellen's visions being God-given. It is noteworthy that Ellen herself wrote that she had already known Bates was extensively interested in astronomy, described having the vision in front of him, and then immediately reported that he put faith in her visions. The concern lies in her report of seeing Jupiter having four moons and Saturn having seven. What Ellen reported seeing in vision happened to match the best scientific knowledge available in her time. Consequently, this would have have been the same knowledge Joseph Bates, a sea-captain familiar with astronomy, would have known. It has been since discovered that Jupiter has at least 95 moons and Saturn has at least 146 moons. This illustrates that what she claimed to see in vision from God was not aligned with reality. Although SDA defenders of Ellen have argued that she did not herself name the planets, and if she was actually speaking of Jupiter and Saturn, God does not always reveal things all at once and may have only given her a limited view of the moons. However, it cannot be excluded that Ellen could have easily obtained specific knowledge of a few astronomical findings of her day in order to present a "vision" for Bates, knowing that he might be impressed with the "accuracy" of her visions and believe in her. If this is true, then this is a significant and serious issue of speaking falsely in God's name in order to obtain followers for herself. Readers can pray for discernment, and then determine what they believe may have truly happened here. 

Joseph Bates: 

• “The following statement, abridged from Life Sketches, will show how the gift of prophecy and the Sabbath reform were united:—   While on a visit to New Bedford, Mass., in 1846, Miss Harmon became acquainted with Elder Joseph Bates. He had early embraced the advent faith, and was an active laborer in the cause. He was a true Christian gentleman, courteous and kind. He treated Miss Harmon as tenderly as though she were his own child. The first time he heard her speak, he manifested deep interest, and after she had ceased, he arose and said, “I am a doubting Thomas. I do not believe in visions. But if I could believe that the testimony the sister has related to-night was indeed the voice of God to us, I should be the happiest man alive. My heart is deeply moved. I believe the speaker to be sincere, but I cannot explain in regard to her being shown the wonderful things she has related to us.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 255 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1578#1580 

 

Eye Witnesses to Planet Vision / Bate's conversion to faith in Ellen's visions:

• “In the month of November, 1846, a conference was held in Topsham, Maine, at which Elder Bates was present. At that meeting Mrs. White had a vision which was the cause of Elder Bates’s becoming fully satisfied as to their divine origin. He was a man who had followed the sea for fifty years, filling all positions from cabin-boy up to master and owner of vessels. His understanding of astronomy was such that, as he told me, he could tell very nearly where he was upon the sea, as to latitude and longitude, by his observation of the celestial bodies. Such a one would naturally be interested in talking about astronomy. In conversation with him, he told me how he became convinced of the divine origin of the visions. He said he tried to talk with Mrs. White one day about the stars, but he soon found she knew nothing about astronomy; in fact, as she told him, she did not know as she had ever looked into a book treating on that subject. She had no inclination to converse upon that topic, and turned the conversation by talking about the new earth, and what had been shown her in vision respecting it.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 257 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1592#1592   

 

• “Sister White was in very feeble health, and while prayers were offered in her behalf, the Spirit of God rested upon us. We soon noticed that she was insensible to earthly things. This was her first view of the planetary world. After counting aloud the moons of Jupiter, and soon after those of Saturn, she gave a beautiful description of the rings of the latter. She then said, 'The inhabitants are a tall, majestic people, so unlike the inhabitants of earth. Sin has never entered here.'" Mrs. Truesdail's letter, Jan 27 (1891) - letter was published in J.N. Loughborough's The Great Second Advent Movement, p. 260-261 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/756.640#644  

 

• At our conference in Topsham, Maine, last Nov., Ellen had a vision of the handy works of God. She was guided to the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and I think one more. After she came out of vision, she could give a clear description of their Moons, etc. It is well known, that she knew nothing of astronomy, and could not answer one question in relation to the planets, before she had this vision.” James White, A Word to the Little Flock (1847) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/756.640#642  

 

• “In the previous year, April 19, 1845, the Illustrated London News had published something of great interest to astronomers from Lord Rosse, respecting the wonderful discoveries he had made through his monster telescope, especially a view of what astronomers call “the gap in the sky.” One evening, at the conference above mentioned, at the house of Mr. Curtiss and in the presence of Elder Bates, who was yet undecided in regard to these manifestations, Mrs. White, while in vision, began to talk about the stars, giving a glowing description of rosy-tinted belts which she saw across the surface of some planet, and added, “I see four moons.” “Oh,” said Elder Bates, “she is viewing Jupiter!” Then having made motions as though traveling through space, she began giving a description of belts and rings in their ever-varying beauty, and said, “I see seven moons.”Elder Bates exclaimed, “She is describing Saturn.” Next she said, “I see six moons,” and at once began a description of the “opening heavens,” with its glory, calling it an opening into a region more enlightened. Elder Bates said that her description far surpassed any account of the opening heavens he had ever read from any author.  While she was talking and still in vision, he arose to his feet, and exclaimed, “O how I wish Lord John Rosse was here to-night!” Elder White inquired, “Who is Lord John Rosse?” “Oh,” said Elder Bates, “he is the great English astronomer. I wish he was here to hear that woman talk astronomy, and to hear that description of the ‘opening heavens.’ It is ahead of anything I ever read on the subject.” From that evening Elder Bates became fully satisfied that the visions of Mrs. White were outside of her knowledge and control. This and the character of the reproof and instruction given, satisfied him that they were from God.” The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress, p. 258 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1140.1597#1598 

 

• “One evening, at the conference above mentioned, at the house of Mr. Curtiss and in the presence of Elder Bates, who was yet undecided in regard to these manifestations, Mrs. White, while in vision, began to talk about the stars, giving a glowing description of rosy-tinted belts which she saw across the surface of some planet, and added, 'I see four moons.' 'Oh,' said Elder Bates, 'she is viewing Jupiter!' Then having made motions as though traveling through space, she began giving a description of belts and rings in their ever-varying beauty, and said, 'I see seven moons.' Elder Bates exclaimed, 'She is describing Saturn.' Next she said, 'I see six moons,' and at once began a description of the 'opening heavens,' with its glory, calling it an opening into a region more enlightened.” J.N. Loughborough, Great Second Advent Movement, p. 258 (1909)

 

Ellen Speaks to Deceased Husband in a Dream:

Ellen reported having a dream that her deceased husband came to her. She then interpreted the words of her deceased husband in her dream as a message from God. Since God explicitly commanded human beings not to interact with the dead, would the same God then communicate with people in dreams using the image of people deceased? Do demons not have a history of appearing to people as loved ones? How many other dreams did she attribute to God when they were only dreams?

• “A few days since I was pleading with the Lord for light in regard to my duty. In the night I dreamed I was in the carriage, driving, sitting at the right hand. Father was in the carriage, seated at my left hand. He was very pale, but calm and composed. “Why Father,” I exclaimed, “I am so happy to have you by my side once more! I have felt that half of me was gone. Father, I saw you die; I saw you buried. Has the Lord pitied me and let you come back to me again, and we work together as we used to?” He looked very sad. He said, “The Lord knows what is best for you and for me. My work was very dear to me. We have made a mistake. We have responded to urgent invitations of our brethren to attend important meetings. We had not the heart to refuse. These meetings have worn us both more than we were aware…Now, Ellen, calls will be made as they have been, desiring you to attend important meetings, as has been the case in the past. But lay this matter before God and make no response to the most earnest invitations. Your life hangs as it were upon a thread. You must have quiet rest, freedom from all excitement and from all disagreeable cares…He looked at me appealingly and said, “You will not neglect these cautions, will you, Ellen?...I awoke. But this dream seemed so real. Now you can see and understand why I feel no duty to go to Battle Creek for the purpose of shouldering the responsibilities in General Conference. I have no duty to stand in General Conference. The Lord forbids me. That is enough.” Letter 17, p. 2-4 (1881) https://m.egwwritings.org/es/book/14053.4397001#4397012