Did Mrs. White promise to answer the questions of Drs. Stewart, Sadler, and others, and then, after she received the questions, “conveniently” have a vision instructing her not to do so? ^{7The White Lie, pp. 60, 170.}

On March 30, 1906, Mrs. White wrote a testimony addressed “To Those Who Are Perplexed Regarding The Testimonies Relating To The Medical Missionary Work.” ^{8Letter 120, 1906.} In it she spoke of being directed by the Lord to request those with perplexities and objections regarding the testimonies to write them out and submit them to those who desired to remove the perplexities.TAWL 9.12

On June 3, 1906, Mrs. White wrote concerning a vision she had received a few days before, in which she was speaking before a group of people answering questions about her work and writings. She stated:TAWL 10.1

I was directed by a messenger from heaven not to take up the burden of picking up and answering all the sayings and doubts that are being put into many minds. ^{9Manuscript 61, 1906.}

These two statements, written about two months apart, are cited as evidence that Mrs. White’s “revelations” could often be quite conveniently arranged so as to protect her interests. An examination of the events of that period, however, sheds considerable light upon the apparent reversal of Mrs. White’s invitation for questions.TAWL 10.2

Upon receipt of Mrs. White’s testimony, several individuals acted upon her request and sent their questions to her office. A review of Ellen White’s correspondence over the next months gives evidence that she indeed took these questions seriously. Questions ranged from the ridiculous and trivial to those deserving a careful, studied response. In a letter to friends written June 15, 1906, she wrote:TAWL 10.3

Letters, full of questions, are continually crowding in upon us.... If I can present to the people the facts in the case, as they exist, it may save some from making shipwreck of faith. I have been sent some of the most frivolous questions in regard to the Testimonies given me by the Lord. ^{10Letter 180, 1906.}

The White Estate files contain more than 30 letters written by Ellen White between April and October, 1906, dealing with questions raised about various phases of her work. In addition to these, articles were published in the Review and Herald. ^{11See Ellen G. White, “A Messenger,” The Review and Herald, July 26, 1906, pp. 8, 9; “Hold Fast the Beginning of Your Confidence,” The Review and Herald, August 9, 1906, p. 8; “Correct Views Concerning the Testimonies,” The Review and Herald, August 30, 1906, pp. 8, 9, and The Review and Herald, September 6, 1906, pp. 7, 8.} Some of the letters and statements made are here listed:TAWL 10.4

• Letter 170, 1906, June 13, 1906, regarding the words “I,” “we,” “us,” etc., in the testimonies;

• Letter 206, 1906, June 14, 1906, re what is inspired (every word? every letter?);

• Talk (DF #247), June 26, 1906, re the relationship of W. C. White to Ellen White’s work;

• Letter of June 28, 1906, re the title “prophet”:

• Letter 225, 1906, July 8, 1906, re the writing and sending of the testimonies.

It will be noticed that all of these responses, in fact, 80 percent of those on file, were written after the vision of May 25 in which she was instructed “not to answer all the sayings and doubts.” ^{12Manuscript 61, 1906.} Mrs. White again reviewed the question of the Chicago buildings, ^{13Manuscript 33, 1906.} even though she had dealt with this matter back in 1903.TAWL 10.5

Not all questions were answered by Mrs. White. Some were referred to her staff whom she directed to look up past statements on the subjects to meet the criticisms. W. C. White wrote on July 13, 1906:TAWL 10.6

For several days Brother Crisler has been hunting up what has been written in past years regarding contracts and agreements. I think he will be able to submit to Mother his collection of manuscripts early next week. ^{14W. C. White to Elders Daniells, Prescott and Irwin, July 13, 1906.}

This was in full harmony with Mrs. White’s original invitation where she asked that “it all be written out, and submitted to those who desire to remove the perplexities.” ^{15Letter 120, 1906.} (Emphasis supplied.)TAWL 10.7

Two who sent the greatest number of questions were Elder William S. Sadler and Dr. Charles E. Stewart. Dr. Stewart’s questions eventually came into published form under the title, A Response to An Urgent Testimony from Mrs. Ellen G. White, later referred to as “The Blue Book.” Writing to Dr. Stewart about his set of objections, W. C. White explained the reason why some questions received no personal reply from Mrs. White:TAWL 10.8

But that portion of the document addressed to her which takes the form of an attack upon her integrity and her work, she will refer to her brethren to answer, because for many years she has been instructed that it is not any part of her legitimate work to answer the numerous and violent attacks which have been made upon her by her critics and the enemies of her work. ^{16W. C. White to C. E. Stewart, June 9, 1907.}

That had been Mrs. White’s consistent attitude since the earliest days of her ministry. ^{17See Ellen G. White, “Our Present Position,” The Review and Herald, August 28, 1883, pp. 1, 2.} One reason that some issues were never answered by Ellen White’s Office is that the General Conference Committee had only recently (May, 1906) published a refutation of charges made by A. T. Jones against the Spirit of Prophecy, detailing answers to many of the same questions. ^{18A Statement Refuting Charges Made by A. T. Jones Against the Spirit of Prophecy and the Plan of Organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination (Washington, D.C.: General Conference Committee, May, 1906).}TAWL 10.9

The fact that Mrs. White engaged in taking up objections after receiving the vision of May 25, indicates that that instruction did not cancel her earlier request. What, then, did that second vision mean? Exactly what it says:TAWL 10.10

I was directed by a messenger from heaven not to take the burden of picking up and answering all the sayings and doubts that are being put into many minds. (Emphasis supplied.)

Ellen White was not to feel it her duty to endeavor to answer those endless questions from doubters who would accept no answers. Referring to the same divine counsel, she wrote on July 17, 1906:TAWL 10.11

I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.

In response to the enemy’s work on human minds, I am to sow the good seed. When questions suggested by Satan arise, I will remove them if I can. But those who are picking at straws had better be educating mind and heart to take hold of the grand and soul-saving truths that God has given through the humble messenger, in the place of becoming channels through whom Satan can communicate doubt and questioning.

To allow images of straw to be created as something to attack, is one of the most unprofitable things that one can engage in. It is possible for one to educate himself to become Satan’s agent in passing along his suggestions. As fast as one is cleared away, another will be proffered.

I have been instructed to say, “The Lord would not have my mind thus employed.” ^{19Letter 224, 1906.}

Ellen White closed her letter with a statement suggesting that the problems surrounding her work were the result of focusing on the words rather than the message of her writings—the same difficulty regarding the use of inspired writings which is seen in our own day:TAWL 10.12

More and more I shall present the message to the people in Scripture language. Then if exception be taken by anyone, his contention must be with the Bible. ^20Ibid.