Ellen Harmon’s First Vision—December, 1844 ^{1Note: See Exhibit 1 for the full text of the vision as published in the “Word to the Little Flock” printing with Scripture reference supplied by James White}

The day of expectation and of disappointment was Tuesday, October 22, 1844. Ellen Harmon received her first vision in December, approximately two months later. (Letter 3, 1847). As to her attitudes toward the October 22 experience, James White in May, 1847, declared:EGWSDQ 15.5

When she received her first vision, December, 1844, she and all the band in Portland, Maine, (where her parents then resided) had given up the midnight cry, and shut door, as being in the past. It was then that the Lord showed her in vision, the error into which she and the band at Portland had fallen. She then related her vision to the band, and about sixty confessed their error, and acknowledged their 7th month experience to be the work of God.—Word to the Little Flock, p. 22.EGWSDQ 16.1

Ellen White refers to this experience in her letter to Joseph Bates written July 13, 1847.EGWSDQ 16.2

At the time I had the vision of the Midnight Cry I had given it up in the past and thought it future as also most of the band had.—Letter 3, 1847.EGWSDQ 16.3

The point made is that the vision changed Ellen White’s thinking and convictions. The 1844 experience was valid—God had led in it.EGWSDQ 16.4