D. Doctrinal Development

We will place our major emphasis on her role in this area. The Scriptures often speak of the significance of doctrine. These statements clearly show it to be important what we believe. (See Ephesians 4:4; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; 1 Timothy 4:1; Acts 20:29, 30.)DDAEW 4.4

Especially in the earliest years of the Advent Movement, the Lord called upon Ellen White to issue cautions and correctives that helped believers to avoid extremes and fanaticism. But in later years as well, she opposed such teachings as pantheism from Doctor J. H. Kellogg, and heresies regarding the sanctuary advanced by A. F. Ballenger.DDAEW 4.5

Before church organization the pioneers met, especially in 1847 and 1848, to study doctrine. The Whites were present. In these meetings, however, Ellen White was not an active participant, at least at their beginnings. She spoke of a “locked” mind. She could not understand their discussions. The meetings would continue sometimes for many days.DDAEW 4.6

Then, when the group had done all they could from Bible study, Ellen would be given vision to confirm, correct, or help in the study in which they had been engaged. The visions were accepted as from God. The Adventist pioneers knew that when not in vision she was largely a bystander to their study. She has written several accounts of these meetings. (See Spiritual Gifts 2:47-49; Testimonies for the Church 1:75-87; Ms 135, 1903; Selected Messages 1:206, 207; Ms 46, 1904; Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 24-26, 1902.)DDAEW 4.7

i. The Sanctuary

As with many other doctrines, understanding of the sanctuary was gradual. William Miller had preached that the earth was the sanctuary, and that it was to be cleansed by fire at Christ’s second advent in fulfillment of Daniel 8:14.DDAEW 5.1

The day after the expected advent, Hiram Edson was given understanding that Christ has begun a new phase of His ministry in heaven’s sanctuary on October 22, 1844. With two friends he went back to the Bible for study. One of the friends, O. R. L. Crosier, wrote two articles to explain this study—one was published in the Day Dawn in 1845, and the other in The Day-Star, February, 1846. Ellen White endorsed Crosier’s presentation as correct (see A Word to the Little Flock, 12).DDAEW 5.2

The sanctuary was further explained in the writings of Uriah Smith, J. N. Andrews, and James White through the pages of the church paper and in books growing out of these articles.DDAEW 5.3

What was Ellen White’s role? The pioneer presentations were all based on Scripture, not on her writings. Her role was a supportive one, pointing also to the Scripture for proof. A series of visions in which she was privileged to visit heaven’s sanctuary further reinforced the Bible foundation for it. She also led in opposition to heretical teachings on it throughout her lifetime. And, of course, she wrote in some detail in articles and books supporting this doctrine as scriptural.DDAEW 5.4

ii. The Sabbath

The Sabbath first came to the attention of Adventists in Washington, New Hampshire, through Rachel Oakes, a Seventh-day Baptist. Frederick Wheeler, the pastor, and two brothers, Cyrus and William Farnsworth, accepted it early. Others later joined them.DDAEW 5.5

Joseph Bates in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, heard of Sabbathkeeping in Washington and traveled there in 1845 to examine it for himself. He returned home a Sabbathkeeper. He became the apostle of the Sabbath, writing articles and tracts. At the time of their marriage in August, 1846, the Whites accepted the Sabbath from one of Bates’s tracts.DDAEW 5.6

Bates’s presentation, however, had a flaw. He believed that the Sabbath began at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Some Adventists believe that it began at sunrise, midnight, or sunset. This variety of practice continued for about ten years.DDAEW 5.7

In 1855, James White asked J. N. Andrews to study the subject and to present his finding to the others. His conclusion from Bible study was that the Sabbath begins at sunset. Bates and Ellen White still doubted. A vision was then given to Ellen White supporting the sunset time. Unity resulted among Adventists. (See Testimonies for the Church 1:116.)DDAEW 5.8

Writing a few years later about this experience, James White stated: “It does not appear to be the desire of the Lord to teach His people by the gifts of the Spirit on Bible questions until His servants have diligently searched the Word.”—Editorial, The Review and Herald, February 25, 1868. (See Appendix, Testimonies for the Church 1:713, 714 for the more complete statement.)DDAEW 5.9