- Abbreviations
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- Series Introduction
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- Key Dates in Ellen G. White's Life (1827-1859)
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- Ms 2, 1850
- Lt 18, 1850
- Ms 4, 1850
- Lt 4, 1850
- Lt 10, 1850
- Published in PT
- Unauthenticated
- Published in PT
- Published in PT
- Ms 5, 1850
- Ms 5a, 1850
- Lt 8, 1850
- Lt 12, 1850
- Ms 6, 1850
- Ms 7, 1850
- Ms 7a, 1850
- Unauthenticated
- Lt 14, 1850
- Ms 14, 1850
- Ms 15, 1850
- Unauthenticated
- Lt 26, 1850
- Lt 28, 1850
- Published in PT
- Lt 31, 1850
- Lt 30, 1850
- Ms 10, 1850
- Ms 11, 1850
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- Lt 9, 1856
- Published in RH
- Lt 8, 1856
- Lt 2a, 1856
- Nonextant
- Published in YI
- Lt 10, 1856
- Published in YI
- Published in RH
- Published in YI
- Located Elsewhere
- Ms 2, 1856
- Published in YI
- Published in YI
- Lt 1, 1856
- Published in YI
- Published in YI
- T2 Published
- Ms 1, 1856
- Lt 4, 1856
- Published in AY
- Lt 6, 1856
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- Ms 2, 1859
- Ms 5, 1859
- Ms 6, 1859
- Ms 7, 1859
- Ms 8, 1859
- Lt 1a, 1859
- Lt 13, 1859
- Lt 31, 1859
- Lt 18, 1859
- Published in RH
- Published in YI
- Published in YI
- Lt 2, 1859
- T5 Published
- Lt 28, 1859
- Lt 32, 1859
- Ms 4, 1859
- Lt 3, 1859
- Lt 4, 1859
- Lt 5, 1859
- Lt 9, 1859
- Lt 6, 1859
- Lt 8, 1859
- Published in AY
- Published in AY
- Published in AY
- Lt 7, 1859
- Ms 1, 1859
- Ms 1a, 1859
- Lt 20, 1859
- Lt 21, 1859
- Lt 10, 1859
- Lt 19, 1859
- Published in AY
- Lt 22, 1859
- Lt 30, 1859
- Lt 11, 1859
- Uncertain
- Lt 16, 1859
- Lt 17, 1859
- Published in AY
- Published in GS
- Ms 3, 1859
- Lt 1, 1859
- Lt 15, 1859
- Lt 27, 1859
- Ms 9, 1859
- Ms 10, 1859
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- The James and Ellen White Family Tree
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- AMADON, George Washington (1832-1913) and Martha Dormer (1834-1937)
- ANDREWS, Edward (1798-1865) and Sarah L. (1803-1899)
- ANDREWS, John Nevins (1829-1883) and Angeline Spaulding (1824-1872)
- ANDREWS, William P. (1838-1878) and Martha (1842-1901)
- ARNOLD, David (1805-1889) and Lucretia K. (c. 1812-after 1889)
- ASHLEY, Melora Atwood (née CRAPO) (1820-1904) and Josiah Leonard (1819-1845)
- AUSTIN, Horatio Nelson (1818-1889) and Caroline R. (1821-1915)
- BACHELLER, John Warren (1839-1917) and Arvilla M. (1837-1911)
- BACHELLER, Roxanna. See CORNELL, James and Roxanna.
- BAKER, Joseph (c. 1801-after 1873) and Mary (c. 1796-1876)
- BALLOU, James Madison (1816-1888) and Hulda Amelia (1820-1903)
- BANGS, Elizabeth N. (1827-1891) and Reuben M. (1820-1893)
- BARNES, Robert (1815-1859) and Hannah L. (c. 1824-1856)
- BARR, Eli L. (c. 1813-1864)
- BARTON, Harriet Augusta (née STOWELL) (1833-after 1913) and Major (1822-after 1900)
- BATES, Joseph (1792-1872) and Prudence M. (1793-1870)
- BEAN, Lewis (1823-1888) and Sophia R. (1823-1911)
- BELDEN, Albert (1800-1893) and Hannah (c. 1800-1886)
- BELDEN, Stephen T. (1829-1906) and (first wife) Sarah B. (c. 1823-1868) and (second wife) Charlotte (c. 1830-1897?) and (third wife) Melvina (Lavina) (c. 1831-1928)
- BELOW, Elsie Philomela (1811-1889) and (first husband) John Gregg (? -1839) and (second husband) John C. Below (c. 1786-1855)
- BENEDICT, Diantha. See WILKINSON, Diantha.
- BENEDICT, Joseph Perry (1805-1865) and Millie (1810-1882)
- BINGHAM, Hiram (1804-1874) and Mary (c. 1809-1882)
- BONFOEY, Clarissa M. (c. 1821-1856)
- BOURDEAU, Augustin Cornelius (1834-1916) and (first wife) Charlotte (c. 1836-1883) and (second wife) Martha (1842-1901)
- BOURDEAU, Daniel T. (1835-1905) and Marion Elizabeth (1842-1929)
- BOVEE, Louisa C. (née LEWIS) (1836-1876) and Seymour C. (1830-1913)
- BOWLES, John C. (c. 1802-1853) and Phebe (c. 1808-after 1850)
- BOYER, Elijah (1821-1903) and Mary (1823-1898)
- BRACKETT, Ezra (1805-1889) and Mary D. (1807-1882)
- BRACKETT, Louisa (née FOSS) (1824-1861) and Benjamin (1821-after 1880)
- BRAZEE (BRISSEE), Cornelius (c. 1808-1890) and Emily C. (c. 1821-1889)
- BRIGHAM, William Henry (c. 1819-1866) and Polly A. (c. 1831-after 1866)
- BUCK, Harry G. (1822-1902) and Jane Eliza (1823-1918)
- BUCKLAND, Curtis P. (1804-1891) and Eliza (1806-1889)
- BURTON, Samuel G. (c. 1805-after 1880) and Lydia A. (c. 1818-after 1880)
- BURWELL, Anna Lucretia. See KING, Anna Lucretia.
- BURWELL, Anthony Lee (c. 1806-1873) and Achsah (1810-1886)
- BUTLER, Ezra Pitt (1796-1875) and Sarah (1799-1866)
- BUTLER, George Ide (1834-1918) and (first wife) Lentha Ames (1826-1901) and (second wife) Elizabeth Jane (1845-1927)
- BYINGTON, John (1798-1887) and (first wife) Mary Priscilla (c. 1803-1830) and (second wife) Catherine (1803-1885)
- BYINGTON, John Fletcher (1832-1872) and Martha Louisa (née SMITH) (1834-1920)
- BYINGTON, Martha. See AMADON, George Washington and Martha Dormer.
- CARMAN, John Frost (1827-1923) and Maria Louisa (1829-1916)
- CARPENTER, Caroline. See WEED, Caroline and Eber.
- CASE, Hiram S. (1814-1882) and Rebecca Ann (1816-1887)
- CHAMBERLAIN, Mary Ann (née BILL) (1819-1900) and Ezra L'Hommedieu (1798-1855)
- CHAPEL, Levi R. (1816-1901) and Jane Eliza (1818-1903)
- CHAPIN, Roderick R. (c. 1816-before 1880) and Desdemona (1812-after 1891)
- CHASE, Lewis (1814-1896) and Almira (1816-1881)
- CHASE, Mary S. (née WHITE) (1810-1889) and Daniel (1798-after 1873)
- CLAFLIN, Nancy J. (née HILDRETH) (1814-1899) and (first husband) John Post (?-1841) and (second husband) Andrew Claflin (1814-1877)
- CLARKE, Joseph (c. 1818-after 1901) and Sarah (c. 1827-1898)
- COLLINS, Deborah L. (1839-1852)
- COLLINS, Gilbert N. (1836-1905) and Arline F. (1847-1927)
- COLLINS, Philip (c. 1809-1859) and Nancy (c. 1809-1882)
- CORNELL, James (1832-1897) and Roxanna (1837-1895)
- CORNELL, Merritt E. (1827-1893) and Angeline M. A. (1828-1901)
- CORNELL, Myron J. (1829-1920) and Cornelia A. (1836-1922)
- COTTRELL, John Harvey (1817-1881) and Maryette (1816-1879)
- COTTRELL, Roswell Fenner (1814-1892) and Catherine M. (1818-1899)
- CRAIG, Stephen B. (1819-1904) and (first wife) Miranda B. (c. 1821-1863) and (second wife) Marilla S. (1833-1905)
- CRAMER, Christopher G. (1809-1873) and (first wife) (unknown) and (second wife) Mary (?-died before 1850) and (third wife) Jane Electa (1828-1892)
- CRAMER, James I. (1832-1914) and Sarah A. (1833-1915)
- CRANSON, Samuel T. (1822-1855) and Mary Jane (c. 1825-1860); (daughter) Lucretia (1847-1879)
- CRAWFORD, Marion Concordia (née STOWELL) (1829-1913) and (first husband) Delos Lagrange Truesdail (1829-1892) and (second husband) Franklin A. Crawford (1827-1902)
- CURTIS, Robert G. (c. 1812-after 1880) and Mercy A. (1818-1907)
- CUSHMAN, Horace (1796-1870) and Mary (c. 1797-1874)
- CZECHOWSKI, Michael Belina (1818-1876) and (first wife) Marie Virginie (c. 1821-1870) and (second wife) Wilhenmina (née SCHIRMER) (?-?)
- DAVIS, Charles (1815-1884) and Harriet (1818-after 1884)
- DAY, John C. (c. 1811-after 1880) and Phebe (c. 1821-after 1880)
- DAY, John S. (1830-1894) and Ruth D. (1831-1892)
- DICKINSON, Preston (1807-1868) and Celesta B. (1806-1869)
- DODGE, Abram A. (1817-1892) and Caroline Elizabeth (1830-1915)
- DREW, Hiram (c. 1810-after 1880) and Martha (c. 1814-1880)
- EDSON, Hiram (1806-1882) and (first wife) Effa (1810-1839) and (second wife) Esther Marier (1816-1893)
- EVANS, D. T. (c. 1826-after 1910) and (first wife) Lucinda (c. 1823-1871) and (second wife) Lucia (c. 1826-1881) and (third wife) Caroline (c. 1835-after 1920)
- EVERTS, Elon (c. 1807-1858) and Maria (c. 1810-1856)
- FARNSWORTH, John P. (1834-1918) and (first wife) Frances Jennette (c. 1834-1868) and (second wife) Laura L. (c. 1846-1870) and (third wife) Amelia M. (1843-1930)
- FERGUSON, Justus (c. 1831-1878) and Lucretia (c. 1833-after 1880)
- FINCH, Truman P. (1822-1890) and Mary Sophrona (1824-1913)
- FISHER, John (c. 1789-after 1859)
- FLANDERS, Samuel W. (c. 1822-1888) and Elizabeth M. (c. 1826-after 1888)
- FOLSOM, Paul (c. 1818-?) and Margaret (c. 1820-?)
- FOSS, Louisa. See BRACKETT, Louisa.
- FOSS, Mary Plummer (née HARMON) (1821-1912) and Samuel Hoyt (1817-1888)
- FOY, John Quincy (1843-1924) and Mary (1863-1949)
- FRASER, Jane (“Jenny”). See ROGERS, Jane and Sanford.
- FRISBIE, Elihu (1785-1859) and Esther (c. 1784-1858)
- FRISBIE, Joseph Birchard (1816-1882) and Delphia Jane (1830-1908)
- GEROULD, Lyman (1819-1887) and Sophia (1826-1897)
- GLOVER, Charles Smith (1814-1898) and (first wife) Jane (1815-1873) and (second wife) Clarissa E. (1826-1905)
- GODSMARK, Richard (1822-1905) and Huldah Jane (c. 1818-1899)
- GORHAM, Elizabeth (c. 1813-after 1873) and Henry M. (?-after 1850)
- GORSLINE, Richard (c. 1806-1864)
- GRAHAM, Andrew (c. 1836-after 1883) and (first wife) Abigail (c. 1840-1862) and (second wife) Sophronia (c. 1838-1871) and (third wife) Amelia A. (c. 1850-1883)
- GRAHAM, Bruce (1833-1919) and (first wife) Lavina (c. 1835-1870) and (second wife) Caroline V. (1849-1928)
- GRAHAM, William Henry (1831-1925) and Mary A. (1834-1908)
- GRANT, Harrison (1821-1901) and Chloe S. (1821-1904)
- GRANT, Walter (1814-after 1880) and (first wife) Nancy E. (1821-1877) and (second wife) Jane (c. 1832-after 1880)
- GREGORY, John (c. 1826-?) and Esther C. (c. 1829-1862)
- GURNEY, Heman Stetson (1818-1896) and Ann Eliza (1831-1921)
- HADDEN, Lewis (1819-1893) and Mary E. (c. 1824-after 1893)
- HARDY, William J. (1823-1888) and Eliza (1820-1890)
- HARMON, John B. (1815-1883) and (first wife) Dorcas N. (?-c. 1842) and (second wife) Abigail (c. 1824-c. 1850) and (third wife) Lucy J. (1829-1911)
- HARMON, Robert (1786-1866) and Eunice (c. 1787-c. 1863)
- HARMON, Sarah B. See BELDEN, Stephen T. and Sarah B.
- HARRIS, William (c. 1803-1873) and Lydia (c. 1808-after 1873)
- HART, Josiah Rice (1817-1858) and Orvilla (1810-1861)
- HASKELL, Lewis (1801-1882) and Salina (c. 1803-1891)
- HASKELL, Stephen Nelson (1833-1922) and (first wife) Mary E. (1812-1894) and (second wife) Hetty (1857-1919)
- HASTINGS, Emma A. (1841-1865)
- HASTINGS, Harriet Arabella (c. 1834-1854)
- HASTINGS, Leonard (1803-1883) and (first wife) Elvira (c. 1808-1850) and (second wife) Martha (c. 1819-1888)
- HASTINGS, Sarah Amelia (c. 1839-before 1918)
- HEWETT, Oren (c. 1805-1855)
- HEWITT, David (1805-1878) and Olive (1809-1876)
- HILLIARD, Aaron Henderson (c. 1820-1875) and Lydia Ann (c. 1819-1883)
- HILLIARD, Henry (1815-1892) and (first wife) Pheba (c. 1818-c. 1855) and (second wife) Lucinda C. (c. 1828-1887)
- HOLLAND, Robert (c. 1834-1876) and Elizabeth (c. 1837-after 1880)
- HOLLIS, Nelson A. (1806-1885) and Polly (c. 1815-after 1885)
- HOLT, George W. (1812-1877) and Elizabeth (c. 1815-after 1880)
- HOWARD, Daniel (1818-1898) and (first wife) Clarissa (1819-1865) and (second wife) Elvira (c. 1831-1896)
- HOWELL, John (c. 1820-1861) and Lucinda S. (later BURDICK) (c. 1828-after 1908)
- HOWLAND, Stockbridge (1801-1883) and Louisa M. (1806-1897)
- HOWLETT, John (1796-1892) and Caroline (c. 1811-1861)
- HUNGERFORD, Sealey (Seley) P. (1811-1868) and (first wife) Mary Ann (1816-1857) and (second wife) Cynthia (1822-1875)
- HUTCHINS, Alfred S. (1823-1894) and (first wife) Esther M. (1834-1860) and (second wife) Abigail (“Abbie”) D. (1836-1902)
- INMAN, Eldad (c. 1814-after 1880) and (first wife) Catharine (1813-1864) and (second wife) Rebecca (1819-after 1880)
- IRVING, Agnes. See IRVING, William and Catherine.
- IRVING, William (c. 1813-1859) and Catherine (c. 1818-?) and (daughter) Agnes (c. 1842-1891)
- JONES, Charles (1822-1904) and (first wife) Sarah A. (c. 1824-1882) and (second wife) Jane Cordelia (1831-1910)
- JONES, Leander M. (1824-1902) and (first wife) Harriet (c. 1818-1869) and (second wife) Caroline M. (c. 1843-?)
- JONES, Orrin B. (1825-1883) and Elizabeth (c. 1830-after 1883)
- JONES, Victor (“Victory”) V. (c. 1826-?) and (first wife) Elizabeth L. (1833-1908) and (second wife) Emily (fl. 1863)
- KELLOGG, Albert (1836-1913) and Lucina (1840-1916)
- KELLOGG, John Preston (1807-1881) and (first wife) Mary Ann (1811-1841) and (second wife) Ann Janette (1824-1893)
- KELLOGG, Smith Moses (1834-1927) and Maria Susan (c. 1837-1911)
- KELSEY, Eunice Rebecca (1820-1906) and Asa Post H. (1818-1857)
- KING, Anna Lucretia (née BURWELL) (1844-1931) and James Henry (1842-1922)
- LAMSON, David Henry (1835-1897) and Elizabeth Louise (1838-1926)
- LAMSON, Joseph Bradley (c. 1829-1870) and Drusilla (c. 1831-1919)
- LANDON, Warren E. (1824-1913) and (first wife) Mary F. (1824-1883) and (second wife) Adeline E. (1828-after 1900)
- LANE, James (1807-1880) and Sarah (1810-1905)
- LAY, George Talbot (1822-1901) and (first wife) Mary Exene (1825-1862) and (second wife) Elizabeth L. (1833-1908)
- LAY, Horatio S. (1828-1900) and Julia M. (1831-1893)
- LEIGHTON, George (1812-1902) and (first wife) Rocksilda (c. 1812-1867) and (second wife) Emily (1822-after 1900)
- LILLIS, Henry (c. 1807-after 1860) and Eliza (c. 1811-after 1860)
- LINDSAY, John M. (c. 1807-1895) and Eliza A. (1816-1890)
- LOBDELL, Edward (1817-1883)
- LOCKWOOD, Ransom G. (1824-1897) and (first wife) Mary (?-1851) and (second wife) Aurora (1827-1902)
- LOTHROP, Howard (c. 1805-after 1880) and Olive (c. 1807-after 1880)
- LOUGHBOROUGH, John Norton (1832-1924) and (first wife) Mary J. (1832-1867) and (second wife) Maggie A. (c. 1840-1875) and (third wife) Anna Mariah (1840-1907)
- LOVELAND, Reuben (1807-c. 1898) and Belinda (1812-1906)
- LUNT, Noah Norton (1821-1902) and (first wife) Rebecca E. (c. 1828-1851) and (second wife) Sarah H. (1833-1868) and (third wife) Frances (1830-after 1910)
- LYON, Henry (1796-1872) and Deborah (1796-1874)
- MARTIN, John (1820-1889) and Clara M. (c. 1829-1880)
- MASTEN, Luman V. (c. 1829-1854)
- MC CANN, Harriet (née Harmon) (1813-1876) and Samuel (c. 1812-c. 1874)
- MC PHERSON, Samuel A. (c. 1823-1898) and (first wife) Polly M. (c. 1824-1863) and (second wife) Sarah (c. 1842-after 1898)
- MEAD, Stephen Newell (1820-1888) and Sarah Phelps (1833-1920)
- MEAD, Thomas B. (1827-1861) and Mary Jane (1834-1890)
- MILES, Alonzo (c. 1818-after 1870) and Martha (c. 1825-after 1870)
- NARAMORE, John (c. 1820-c. 1897) and Eliza A. C. (1830-1914)
- NICHOLS, Henry Otis (1828-1917) and (first wife) Harriet (1836-1880) and (second wife) Harriet L. (1853-1917)
- NICHOLS, Otis (1798-1876) and (first wife) Sally Orne (1803-1824) and (second wife) Mary (c. 1800-1868)
- ORTON, Alva (1845-1917) and Valerie E. (1843-after 1900)
- ORTON, Jonathan T. (c. 1811-1866) and Caroline (c. 1813-1873)
- PALMER, Dan R. (1817-1897) and Abigail (1823-1902)
- PEABODY, William (1791-1866) and Hannah (1787-1876)
- PEARSALL, Alfred B. (1823-1895) and Adaline (1823-1906)
- PECKHAM, Job B. (1823-1859) and Sophronia (1825-1887)
- PHILLIPS, Daniel C. (c. 1813-1882) and (first wife) Amanda (c. 1812-1859) and (second wife) Mary (c. 1843-1884)
- PIERCE, Henry Harlow (1833-1901) and Esther Ann (1837-1908)
- PIERCE, Stephen (1804-1883) and Almira (1806-1875)
- POOLE, Ezra A. (c. 1807-1894) and Sally Marilla (1819-after 1900)
- PRESTON, Almira (Elmira) (née Barnes) (1811-1888) and (second husband) John S. (c. 1804-1879)
- PRESTON, Chandler Bristol (1806-1891) and Eliza Ann (1810-1883)
- PRIOR, Edward (c. 1815-?) and Georgianna (c. 1820-1850s)
- RALPH, Richard (1812-1897) and (first wife) Minerva (c. 1815-1854) and (second wife) Sarah F. (1832-1920)
- RATELLE, Marguerite (née Dion) (1829-1923) and Joseph (1820-after 1900)
- RHODES, Samuel W. (c. 1810-1883) and (first wife) Betsey E. (?-1867) and (second wife) Sophronia L. (1825-1887)
- ROGERS, Jane (née FRASER) (1821-1896) and Sanford (1830-1917)
- ROOT, Ephraim Henry (1828-1906) and Hezzy (1832-1913)
- ROSS, Alexander (1810-1888) and (first wife) Caroline (c. 1810-1866) and (second wife) Melissa S. (1832-1915)
- ROSS, Manley T. (1824-1911) and Susanna (1825-1906)
- RUMERY, Sylsbre R. (1820-1884) and (first wife) Nancy M. (?-before 1848) and (second wife) Betsey Jane (1826-1916)
- RUSSELL, Charles P. (c. 1810-1879) and Eunice (c. 1810-after 1880)
- RUSSELL, Lester (1814-1898) and (first wife) Ordelia (c. 1820-before 1860) and (second wife) Paulina P. (1819-1898)
- SAXBY, William L. (1827-1876) and Euphemia H. (1826-1902)
- SCOTT, Mary A. (1820-1904) and David W. (1818-after 1904)
- SEELEY (SEELY), David Ross (1811-1901) and (first wife) Laura (c. 1822-1860) and (second wife) Ellen Amelia (1830-1907)
- SHARP, William D. (1830-1910) and Sarah F. (c. 1831-1910)
- SMITH, Cyrenius (1804-1874) and Louisa (1806-1881)
- SMITH, Stephen (1806-1889) and Matilda (1809-1891)
- SMITH, Uriah (1832-1903) and Harriet Newall (1831-1911)
- SMITH, William (c. 1808-after 1872) and Laura (1810-1872)
- SPERRY, Charles W. (c. 1820-1861) and Rachel Ann (c. 1831-1863)
- STEVENS, Angeline S. See ANDREWS, John Nevins and Angeline.
- STEVENS, Cyprian (1795-1858) and Almira T. (c. 1803-1873)
- STEVENS, Harriet Newall. See SMITH, Uriah and Harriet Newall.
- STONE, Albert (1803-c. 1893) and (first wife) Lurena (1803-1868) and (second wife) Ayer (c. 1805-after 1880)
- STOWELL, Harriet Augusta. See BARTON, Harriet Augusta.
- STOWELL, Lewis Barnard (1793-1886) and Laura B. (1805-1868)
- STOWELL, Lewis Oswald (1828-1918) and Mary Melissa (1839-1899)
- STOWELL, Marion Concordia. See CRAWFORD, Marion Concordia (Stowell).
- STREET, Sherman A. (c. 1827-1888) and Sarah Jane (1834-1915)
- TAYLOR, Charles O. (1817-1905) and (first wife) Matilda W. (c. 1824-1880) and (second wife) Mary Jane (1838-1913)
- TEMPLE, Elizabeth (c. 1808-1884) and (first husband) James L. (c. 1814-before 1862) and (second husband) Ransom HICKS (1802-1872)
- TENNEY, Elizabeth (née White) (1818-1885) and Thomas Boynton (1800-1875)
- THOMPSON, Jesse (1795-1858) and Nabby Maria (1805-1866)
- TOWLE, John R. (1812-after 1885) and Mary M. (1818-after 1885)
- TREADWELL, William (1831-1904) and Lurana Lucretia (1834-1917)
- TUBBS, Ira B. (1800-1882) and (first wife) Hannah (c. 1800-1872) and (second wife) Amelia L. (c. 1808-1892)
- WAGGONER, Joseph Harvey (1820-1889) and Maryetta (1823-1908)
- WEED, Caroline (née Carpenter) (1838-1909) and Eber (1841-1913)
- WHEELER, Frederick (1811-1910) and Lydia (1814-1886)
- WHIPPLE, John G. (1817-1902) and Sarah B. (1822-1905)
- WHITE, Anna (c. 1829-1854)
- WHITE, Henry Nichols (1847-1863)
- WHITE, James Edson (1849-1928) and (first wife) Emma L. (1848-1917) and (second wife) Rebecca (1884-1953)
- WHITE, James Springer (1821-1881) and Ellen Gould (1827-1915)
- WHITE, John (1785-1871) and Betsey (1788-1871)
- WHITE, John Whitney (1812-1886) and Anna Catherine (1818-after 1885)
- WHITE, Nathaniel (1831-1853)
- WHITE, William Clarence (1854-1937) and (first wife) Mary (née Kelsey) (1857-1890) and (second wife) Ethel May (née Lacey) (later Currow) (1873-1969)
- WILCOX, Henry H. (1819-1911) and (first wife) Diadama (c. 1825-1892) and (second wife) Eliza Anna (c. 1822-1896) and (third wife) Mary A. (1859-?)
- WILCOX, John Y. (1834-1910) and (first wife) Mary S. (c. 1823-1877) and (second wife) Annie K. (1845-after 1900)
- WILKINSON, Diantha (née Benedict) (1833-1907) and James M. (1837-1908)
- WOODRUFF, Azmon (1802-1889) and (first wife) Elizabeth Norton Hart (1796-1851) and (second wife) Harriet Newell Cole (1823-1870) and (third wife) Elizabeth Barber Pierce (later DeGarmo) (1801-1891)
- Appendix A: Unauthenticated Visions Attributed to Ellen G. White
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- The American Religious Background That Influenced Adventists
- Methodism's Rise in America
- The “Christian Connection”
- James White and the Christian Connection
- Ellen White's Methodist Environment
- Experiences With the Pearson Family
- The Experience of Samuel Brown and Other Millerite Adventists in Portland
- Religious Enthusiasm in Ellen G. White's Experience After Being Called to Prophetic Ministry
- Ellen White's Interaction With Fanatics During 1845 and 1846
- Spiritualizers
- Extreme Literalization
- Extreme Sanctification
- Animal Magnetism
- Other Fanatical Views
- Religious Enthusiasm Not Connected to Fanaticism
- The Mackin Experiences
- Summary
- Bibliography of Works Cited
- List of Correspondents
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Inspiration and Authority
The question naturally arises as to whether we should recognize the same inspiration and authority in Ellen White's letters and manuscripts as we do in her published books and articles. Some draw an artificial distinction in authority between prophetic writings that derive from visions and prophetic dreams, and those personal testimonies or counsels making no direct appeal to divine revelation.1EGWLM 33.1
Uriah Smith proposed this idea in a letter he wrote in 1883 to D. M. Canright suggesting that the writings of Ellen White comprise both the truly inspired “visions” and the noninspired “testimonies.”2[Uriah] Smith to [D. M.] Canright, Aug. 7, 1883. A century later George E. Rice, in his book Luke, a Plagiarist? demonstrated that the Gospel of Luke is a clear example of an inspired book that came into existence through human “research” (reading and oral interviews), under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but without any known supernatural revelations (prophetic visions and dreams).3George E. Rice, Luke, a Plagiarist? pp. 11, 25.1EGWLM 33.2
Consequently, the above-mentioned distinction does not imply artificial degrees of inspiration within the prophetic writings. The mere fact that an item belongs to the literary category of personal correspondence does not necessarily lower its inspiration and authority. In his book Messenger of the Lord Herbert E. Douglass points out that the notion of inspired personal letters derives from the New Testament canon itself. He writes, “Letters to congregations and individuals was the most common method used by New Testament writers. Some of the letters were private; others were meant to be read publicly. It seems most probable that Paul never thought that his letters to Philemon, Timothy, and Titus would become public. But we are all thankful that they did. In these letters we see a mix of common matters with obviously spiritual counsel and instruction. These New Testament letters help us understand better how to relate to Ellen White's many letters that often were private and frequently mixed the common with the sacred.1EGWLM 33.3
“If the Lord permitted Paul's private letters to be included in the canon for universal distribution, it would be appropriate to believe that the letters of His modern prophet might also bring encouragement and corrective counsel to those who do not have the benefit of her personal ministry.”4Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, pp. 413, 414.1EGWLM 33.4
However, the reader should recognize that there were also many occasions in which Ellen White addressed “common” subjects with no expectation that the recipients should think she received divine instruction regarding them. Elaborating on this point, she wrote: “But there are times when common things must be stated, common thoughts must occupy the mind, common letters must be written and information given that has passed from one to another of the workers. Such words, such information, are not given under the special inspiration of the Spirit of God. Questions are asked at times that are not upon religious subjects at all, and these questions must be answered. We converse about houses and lands, trades to be made, and locations for our institutions, their advantages and disadvantages.”5Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 39.1EGWLM 33.5
Ellen White's statement suggests that it is more the nature of the subject addressed than the literary category of the writing that should guide us on the matter of inspiration and authority. The challenge is that it is not always easy to identify when she dealt with common matters from a noninspired perspective and when she addressed them in an inspired way.1EGWLM 34.1
In reality, it is much easier to acknowledge in general terms the existence of noninspired elements than to identify them on a practical level. Only another genuine prophet could handle this task in a trustworthy way. But since none of the canonical prophets ever tried to make such a distinction within the writings of other prophets, it seems evident that such a distinction is not critical for accepting and understanding the essence of Ellen White's prophetic messages.1EGWLM 34.2
Fortunately, in most instances Ellen White made it clear when she intended her words to be taken as conveying divine instruction. This is illustrated in a letter she wrote to her son William that began with observations about the weather: “My dear son: This is one of the coldest mornings we have had this winter. The ground is white with frost, and we can hardly keep warm, even with our fireplace packed with long, heavy chunks.”1EGWLM 34.3
She continued in the first few paragraphs to describe her bookmaking activities, then on page 2 the letter took a different turn: “The light given me now by the Lord is that we are to be careful not to spend our precious time and money unwisely. Many things may suit our fancy; but we are to guard against the expenditure of money for that which is not bread. We shall need much means to advance the work decidedly in our cities. Everyone is to have a part to act in the Lord's work. Parents are to instruct their children in lessons of economy, in order that the younger members of the flock may learn to share the responsibility of supporting the cause of God at this time.”6Ellen G. White to W. C. White, Lt 4, 1911 (Feb. 15), in Child Guidance, p. 134.1EGWLM 34.4
Here we find a clear claim to divine revelation, yet embedded within what at first appears to be a “common” letter. Rather than being an exception, this is what the reader of Ellen White's letters and manuscripts will find again and again throughout her correspondence.1EGWLM 34.5
Once we realize that inspiration may be at work in Ellen White's letters and manuscripts as fully as in her published writings, it is important also to understand that inspiration is a supernatural and multifaceted divine assistance that gives to the prophetic writings a trustworthy nature. Not only “the wholistic scope of inspiration” but also the “overall thematic interrelationship” of her writings makes it almost impossible for someone to speak of them “in dichotomous terms as being reliable in some topics and not in others.”7Alberto R. Timm, “Understanding Inspiration: The Symphonic and Wholistic Nature of Scripture,” Ministry, August 1999, pp. 12-15.1EGWLM 34.6
This is not to say that in those writings one will not find “orthographical or grammatical mistakes, as well as other kinds of language imperfections such as lapsus linguae (a slip of the tongue) or lapsus memoriae (a slip of the memory).” But the Holy Spirit was “in control of the inspired message” and always corrected her “in matters important to the church.”8Juan Carlos Viera, “The Dynamics of Inspiration,” Adventist Review, spec. ed., May 30, 1996, pp. 27, 28. See also Arthur L. White, The Ellen G. White Writings, pp. 47, 48; Roger W. Coon, “Inspiration/Revelation: What It Is and How It Works—Part II,” Journal of Adventist Education 44 (December 1981-January 1982): 18, 19. In commenting on the question of possible errors in sources used by Ellen White in her writings, W. C. White wrote, “I believe that God has given her discernment to use that which is correct and in harmony with truth regarding all matters essential to salvation” (W. C. White to W. W. Eastman, Nov. 4, 1912, quoted in Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 449, 450).1EGWLM 34.7