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A PROPHET, A PREACHER AND THE "PEARL OF GREAT PRICE" SECTION ONE
Similarities Between James and Ellen G. White's Suppressed 1880 Edition of "Life Sketches" and "Testimonies for the Church" with Joseph Smith's "Pearl of Great Price" in "The Book of Mormon"
"Do not borrow the production of other men's brains and pens." Ellen G. White; quoted in "Ministry," July, 1955 |
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JOSEPH SMITH'S FIRST VISION "This story is now published in the Pearl of Great Price and is accepted as scripture by the Mormon people. The Mormon Apostle John A Widtsoe made this comment concerning Joseph Smith's First Vision: 'The First Vision of 1820 is of first importance in the history of Joseph Smith. Upon its reality rest the truth and value of his subsequent work... James. B. Allen, Associate Professor of History at the Brigham Young University, said that 'Belief in the vision is one of the fundamentals to which faithful members give assent. Its importance is second only to belief in the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. The story is an essential part of the first lesson given by Mormon missionaries to prospective converts, and its acceptance is necessary before baptism." -- Mormonism: Shadow or Reality, p.143; Gerald and Sandra Tanner
JOSEPH SMITH: "I WAS BORN IN" "I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, State of Vermont ... My father, Joseph Smith, Sen., left the State of Vermont, and moved to Palmyra, Ontario ... New York, when I was in my tenth year, or thereabouts ..." PGP 46:3,4 EGW: "I WAS BORN AT" "I was born at Gorham, Maine, November 26, 1827. My parents, Robert and Eunice Harmon, were for many years residents of this State ... While I was but a child, my parents removed from Gorham to Portland, Maine. Here at the age of nine years an accident happened to me which was to affect my whole life ..." 1T 9 JOSEPH SMITH: "'MY MIND AT TIMES WAS GREATLY EXCITED" "... there was in the place we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of the country ... "For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested, by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it. "During this time of great excitement--my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their meetings as occasion would permit. In the process of time my mind became partial to the Methodist sect, and felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, it was impossible for a person as young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right who was wrong. "My mind at times was greatly excited ..." PGP 47: 8, 9 EGW: "MY MIND WAS OFTEN IN GREAT DISTRESS" "My mind remained in this condition for months. I usually attended the Methodist meetings with my parents ... "But my mind was often in great distress, because I did not experience the spiritual ecstasy that I considered would be the evidence of my acceptance with God, and I dared not believe myself converted without it. "Soon after our return from the camp-meeting, with several others, I was taken into the church (Methodist) on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scripture, and that was immersion... "Among the Methodists I heard much in regard to sanctification. I had seen persons lose their physical strength under the influence of strong mental excitement, and had heard this pronounced the evidence of sanctification ..." 1T 17-22; LS 139-145 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: "I was born at" EGW: "I was born in" JS: "moved to" EGW: "removed to" JS: "I was in my tenth year" EGW: "I was ... nine years" JS: "My mind at times was greatly excited" EGW: "My mind was often in great distress" JS: "excitement on the subject of religion" EGW: "exercised on the subject of baptism" JS: "great excitement my mind was called" EGW: "my mind was often in great distress" JS: "I attended their several meetings" EGW: "I usually attended the Methodist meetings" JS: "conversion, converted" EGW: "I dared not feel myself converted" JS: "In the process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and felt some desire to be united with them." EGW: "I was taken into the church (Methodist) on probation" JS: "as young as I was" EGW: "Young as I was" JOSEPH SMITH: WRITES HISTORY OF THE CHURCH BECAUSE FALSE REPORTS ARE CIRCULATED AND PUBLIC MIND MUST BE DISABUSED "Owing to the many false reports which have been put in circulation by evil disposed and designing persons in relation to the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts as far as they have transpired in relation to both myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession. In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist ..." PGP 46:1 JAMES WHITE: WRITES HISTORY OF THEIR CAUSE BECAUSE PREJUDICIAL STATEMENTS ARE CIRCULATED AND PUBLIC MIND ABUSED "The names of the subject of these sketches, Elder and Mrs. White, are widely known by their extensive labors as speakers before large audiences in most of the States, and through their numerous writings ... And yet, the real facts touching their early life, Christian experience, views and extensive labors, are not generally understood. The public mind is more or less abused by the prejudicial statements put in circulation relative to them and their work by those who feel unfriendly toward the cause to which they have devoted their lives and means. "In the presentation of these pages before the reading public, the honor and glory of God have been in view. If in his providence, Elder and Mrs. White have been called to do a specific work, and if in their lives and labors there are evidences that his hand has in a special sense been with them in the rise and progress of the cause espoused by S.D. Adventists, these evidences should be brought before the people. The public has a right to demand definite statements of the facts in the experience and labors for those whose names have been handled extensively in the public prints. "They have acted a prominent part in the cause of S.D. Adventism from its very commencement; hence their history is, to some extent, the history of the cause ..." - Preface, "Life Sketches," 1880 suppressed edition
A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: "The many false reports... put in circulation" JW: "The prejudicial statements put in circulation" JS: "The rise and progress of the Church" JW: "The rise and progress of the cause" JS: "Presents "the facts" (used twice) JW: "Presents "the facts" (used twice) JS: "Disabuse the public mind" JW: "The public mind abused" JS: Writes a "history" of the church JW: Writes a "history" of the cause JOSEPH SMITH: "I BEGAN TO OFFER UP THE DESIRE OF MY HEART" "My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors ... "... At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion or else I must do as James directs, that is ask of God, concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. "So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day... "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer the desire of my heart to God ..." PGP 47:9-15 EGW: "'WE ASSEMBLED TO OFFER UP OUR PETITIONS" "The Orthodox churches used every means to prevent belief in Christ's soon coming from spreading ... "I appropriated to myself the precious promises of Jesus. He had said to his disciples 'ask and ye shall receive.' I firmly believed that whatever I asked in accordance with the will of God would certainly be granted me ... "With diligent searching of heart and humble confessions, we came prayerfully to the time of expectation. Every morning we felt that it was our first work to secure the evidence that our lives were right before God. Our interest for one another increased; we prayed much with and for one another. We assembled in the orchards and grove to commune with God and offer up our petitions to Him ..." 1T 54,55; LS 187,188 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: "I began to offer up the desire of heart" EGW: "We ... offer up our petitions to Him" JS: Churches "used all the powers" EGW: Churches "used every means" JS: "Ask of God" EGW: "Ask and ye shall receive" JS: "ask of God ... he would give" EGW: "ask and ye shall receive" JS: "I retired to the woods" EGW: "we assembled in the grove" JS: Prayed in the "morning" EGW: Prayed in the "morning JOSEPH SMITH: "IT SEEMED TO ME AS IF I WERE DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION "... It seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction ... PGP 48:15 EGW: "IT SEEMED TO ME AS IF I HAD BEEN RESCUED FROM HELL" "... it seemed to me as if I had been rescued from hell. ..." 1T 31; LS 161 JOSEPH SMITH: "'THICK DARKNESS GATHERED AROUND ME" "Thick darkness gathered around me and it seemed to me for a while as if I were doomed ... PGP 48:15 EGW: "TOTAL DARKNESS SETTLED UPON ME" "Total darkness settled upon me and there seamed no way out of the shadows... 1T 25; LS 153 JOSEPH SMITH: "I SAW A PILLAR OF LIGHT" "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head ..." PGP 48:16 EGW: "I DREAMED OF SEEING PILLAR-LIGHT" "I dreamed of seeing ... one immense pillar ...and to this was tied a lamb all mangled and bleeding... *Just before the lamb were elevated seats upon which sat a company of people ...The light of heaven seemed to shine ..." 1T 27; LS 15 5 [*EGW's description of pillars, elevated seats, lights shining and a lamb tied to a pillar are all elements of the secret temple ceremonies.] JOSEPH SMITH: "I FOUND MYSELF LYING ON MY BACK-NO STRENGTH" BUT IT RETURNED "When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light departed I had no strength: But recovering some degree I went home... PGP 48:20
EGW: "I WAS LYING HELPLESS ... MY STRENGTH RETURNED" "While I was lying helpless there, scenes of beauty and glory passed before me, and I seemed to have reached the safety and peace of heaven. At last my strength returned and I arose ..." 1T 29; LS 157 JOSEPH SMITH: CONFIDES IN HIS MOTHER "And as I leaned upon the fireplace, Mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, 'Never mind, all is well - I am well enough off.' I then said to my mother ..." PGP 48:20 EGW: CONFIDES IN HER MOTHER "I now confided all my sorrows and perplexities to my mother. She tenderly sympathized with and encouraged me ..." LS 157 JOSEPH SMITH: OTHERS TELL HIM HIS "VISIONS" ARE "OF THE DEVIL" "I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had ... He treated my communication ... with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil ..." PGP 48:21 EGW" OTHERS TELL HER HER "VISIONS" ARE "OF THE DEVIL" "... I felt forbidden to relate my vision in such company...They denounced my visions as being of the devil ... * Mr. Thayer, the owner of the house, was not fully satisfied that her vision was of the devil, as Robbins declared it to be... .. (Note: EGW experience of refusing to relate her vision in front of Thayer, Robbins and French took place around the same period of the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, sent a man by the name of Robbins into Boston on a mission. Robbins then went to the Nichols home where EGH and her sister were staying. From there they all went to the home of Thayer where a man by the name of French, who, like Robbins, was saying her visions were all of the devil. Curiously, men by the names of Robbins, Thayer and French were all at Nauvoo with Joseph Smith - whether there is a connection has yet to be established. The vision EGH refused to relate in front of these men was the vision of the Father and Son sitting on a throne, when EGH, in dialogue with the Father discusses the fact He and His Son are "persons" with "forms." This vision EGH borrowed from Joseph Smith's "Doctrine and Covenants". and "Joseph Smith's History." She also borrowed his false Civil War Prophecy from the preceding two pages in "Doctrine and Covenants" In EGW early history, the of French was omitted; however the names of Thayer and Robbins are mentioned) *In this vision, EGW borrowed the words of Joseph Smith and put them in the mouth of Jesus. JOSEPH SMITH: "GREAT AND BITTER PERSECUTION AND REVILING" "I soon learned, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among the professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecutions, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create bitter persecution... "It cause me serious reflection then, and often since, how strange it was an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years...should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and was often the cause of great sorrow to myself." PGP 49:23,24 EGW: "GREAT OPPOSITION, BITTER OPPOSITION AND REPROACH"" "In a second vision, which soon followed the first, I was shown the trials through which I must pass, and that it was my duty to go and relate to others what God had revealed to me. It was shown to me that my labors would meet with great opposition and that my heart should be rent with anguish. "I was but seventeen years of age, small and frail, unused to society, and naturally so timid and retiring that it was painful for me to meet strangers. I was unreconciled to going into the world, and dreaded to meet the sneers and opposition ... It was shown to me that my labors would meet with great opposition ... bitter opposition and reproach ..." 1T 62,63; 5T 655,656; LS 193,194 JOSEPH SMITH: "I HAVE THOUGHT SINCE THAT ..." "I have thought since that I felt much like Paul ... some said he was dishonest others said he was mad ..." PGP 49:24 EGW: "I HAVE THOUGHT SINCE THAT ..." "I have thought since that inmates of insane asylums were brought there by experiences similar to my own ..." 1T 25 JOSEPH SMITH: "I OFTEN FELT CONDEMNED" "In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weaknesses and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September after I had retired to my bed for the night I betook myself to prayer and supplications to the Almighty God for Forgiveness of all my sins ..." PGP 50:29 EGW: "WORDS OF CONDEMNATION RANG IN MY EARS" "... Words of condemnation rang in my ears day and night, and my constant cry to God was, 'What shall I do to be saved?'...Sometimes for a whole night I would not dare close my eyes, but would wait until my twin sister was fast asleep, then quietly leave my bed and kneel upon the floor, praying silently, with dumb agony ... I frequently remained bowed in prayer nearly all night, groaning and trembling with inexpressible anguish and hopelessness that passes all description. Lord, have mercy! was my plea" 1T 23;26; LS 151 JOSEPH SMITH: "WHILE CALLING UPON GOD I DISCOVERED LIGHT IN ROOM" "While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room... then immediately a personage (angel Moroni) appeared at my bedside ..." PGP 50:30 EGW: "WHILE IN PRAYER A GREAT LIGHT FILLED THE ROOM" "... While I was in prayer a great light filled the room. An angel of God was by my side ..." 5T 68 (Note: In his book, "The White Lie," excommunicated SDA pastor Walter Rea, proved that most of EGW's quote on 5T 69 was appropriated from Daniel March's "Night Scenes in the Bible," pp. 200-204)
JOSEPH SMITH: "'PERSON WITH GLORIOUS COUNTENANCE" "While I was thus in the act calling upon God ... A personage appeared at my bedside... not only was his robe exceedingly white, his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightening. The room was exceedingly light but no so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. He called me by name..-" PGP 50:30,31; 51:32,33 EGW: "PERSON WITH BEAUTIFUL COUNTENANCE:"' "Soon after this I had another dream ... the door opened ... and a person of beautiful form and countenance entered ...In a moment I stood before Jesus.. There was no mistaking that beautiful countenance. I tried to shield myself from his gaze ... he drew near me with a smile, and laying his hand upon my head, said: 'fear not.' The sound of his sweet voice thrilled my heart ..." 1T 28; LS 156 JOSEPH SMITH: "PERSONAGE IN AIR HAD ON ROBE EXCEEDINGLY WHITE" "... Immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness...Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person glorious beyond description ..." PGP 50:31, 32 EGW: "LORD IN AIR - GLORIOUS WHITE MANTLES" "... and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air... And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet ..." 1T 61 JOSEPH SMITH: "GOD HAD A WORK FOR ME" EGW: "GOD HAD GIVEN ME MY WORK" "God has given me my work ..." 5T 19
JOSEPH SMITH: "HE ASCENDED A CONDUIT INTO HEAVEN" "While he was thus conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited ... "After this communication, I saw the light in the room beginning to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just round him; when, instantly I saw as it were a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared ..." PGP 42:43 EGW: "HE LED ME TO A FRAIL STAIRWAY. AS I ASCENDED ... I SEEMED TO HAVE REACHED ... HEAVEN" "Soon after this I had another dream ... Just then the door was opened and a person of beautiful form and countenance entered. He looked upon me pitifully and said, 'Do you wish to see Jesus' ... "I heard this with unspeakable joy, and gladly gathered up all my little possessions, every treasured trinket, and followed my guide. *He led me to a steep and apparently frail stairway. As I commenced to ascend the steps, he cautioned me to keep my eyes fixed upward, lest I should grow dizzy and fall. Many others who were climbing the steep ascent fell ... "While I was lying helpless there I seemed to have reached the safety and peace of heaven ..." 1T 28, 29 (*During the secret temple ceremonies, initiates are led up a stairway. They also fall and stumble along a pathway as the lights are dimmed. Doors are opened and closed during the ceremonies.)
JOSEPH SMITH: "I COULD LOOK INTO HIS BOSOM" "... I could discover that he had not other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could look into his bosom" PGP 50:30,31; 51:32-33 EGW: COULD SEE JESUS IF SHE TOOK A CORD FROM HER "BOSOM" "My guide now opened the door, and we both passed out. He bade me to take up again all the things I had left without. This done, he me a green cord coiled up closely. This he directed me to place next to MY HEART AND WHEN I WISHED TO SEE JESUS TO, TAKE IT FROM MY BOSOM ..." 1T 28, 29
JOSEPH SMITH: "RECOLLECTS MY YOUTH" "... I was left to all kinds of temptations; and mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors and displayed the weakness of my youth, and the foibles of human nature; which I am sorry to say, led me into diverse temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with the character which ought to be maintained by one who had been called of God* as I had been. But this will not seem very strange to anyone who recollects my youth and is acquainted with my native cheery temperament." PGP 50:28 (*EGW was also "called of God") EGW: "AS I RECALL MY EARLY LIFE" "As often as I recall the experiences of my early life, my brother, the confidant of my hopes and fears, the earnest sympathizer with me in my Christian experiences, comes to my mind with a flood of tender memories. He was one of those who sin presents but few temptations. Naturally devotional, he never sought the society of the young and gay, but rather chose the company of Christians, whose conversation would instruct him in the ways of life. His manner was serious beyond his years; he was gentle and peaceful, and his mind was almost constantly filled with religious thoughts. His life was pointed to by those who knew him, as a pattern to youth ..." 1T 28,29 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: "I was left to all kinds of temptations" "led me into diverse temptations" EGW: Her brother was "one of those who sin presented but few temptations" JS: "mingling with all kinds of society --- fell into foolish errors" EGW: Her brother "never sought the society of the young and gay" JS: "no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins" EGW: Her brother "was one of those who sin presented but few temptations" JS: "A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company" EGW: Her brother "Naturally devotional, he never sought the society of the young and gay' JS: "anyone who recollects my youth" EGW: "I recall the experiences of my early life" JS: "anyone ....acquainted with me" EGW: "those who knew him" JOSEPH SMITH: "HEAVENLY MESSENGER" "... The same heavenly messenger was again by my bedside ..." PGP 52: EGW: "HEAVENLY MESSENGER" "... The heavenly messenger said ..." 7T 35; 3 SM 71; "Ellen G. White: Messenger to the Remnant" p. 7 JOSEPH SMITH'S FAILED CIVIL WAR PROPHECY - "SLAVES SHALL RISE UP AGAINST THEIR MASTERS" Joseph Smith's prediction of the "Civil War" was made 28 years prematurely and "the prophecy was quietly abandoned...from the early collections of Joseph Smith's revelations" until 19 years later, and after Joseph Smith's death, when Brigham Young ordered its publication. After the Civil War it became the most celebrated of all of Joseph's predictions." Fawn Brodie, "No Man Knows My History," p.124 DC 87:1 "Verily, THUS SAITH THE LORD concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; DC 87:2 "And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning in this place. DC 87:3 "For behold, the Southern states shall be divided against the Northern states, and the Southern states will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations. DC 87:4 "And it shall come to pass, after many days, SLAVES SHALL RISE UP AGAINST THEIR MASTERS who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war ..." DC 87:1-4 DC 130:12 "I prophecy in the name of the Lord God, that the commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of man will be in South Carolina. DC 130:13 "It may arise through the slave question. This A VOICE DECLARED TO ME, while I was praying earnestly on the subject, December 25, 1832. ELLEN G. WHITE'S FAILED CIVIL WAR PROPHECY - "THE SYSTEM OF SLAVERY IS LEFT TO LIVE AND STIR UP ANOTHER REBELLION" "Ellen White's predictions up to this very minute have been right every time... A prophet of God is right one hundred percent of the , or he isn't right at all" -- Kenneth H. Wood, former editor, "Review" now Secretary of the EGW Estate; Statement made in "EGP Prophet of The Last Days," p.19 "January 4, 1862, I WAS SHOWN some things in regard to our nation...My attention was called to the Southern rebellion...The system of slavery which has ruined our nation, is left to live and stir up another rebellion...It seems impossible to have the w ar conducted successfully ... I WAS SHOWN that if the object of this war had been to exterminate slavery, then, if desired, England would have helped the North ... SAID THE ANGEL, 'Hear, O heavens, the cry of the oppressed, and reward the oppressors doubl e according to their deeds.' This nation is yet to be humbled in the dust. England is studying whether it is best to take advantage of the present weak condition of our nation, and venture to make war upon her. She is weighing the matter, and trying to so und other nations ... if England thinks it will pay, she will not hesitate a moment to improve her opportunities to exercise her powers, and humble our nation. When England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and the re will be a general war...Had our nation remained united, it would have had strength, but divided it must fall ... I SAW... large companies in active battle ...The signs of Christ's coming are too plain to be doubted ... The scenes of earth's history are fast closing. We are amid the perils of the last days ..." 1T 253; 255; 256; 258-260 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS 1) JS: Chapter heading concerning war between Northern States and the Southern States EGW: Chapter heading concerning war between "The North and South" 2) JS: Revelation on Civil War given in the winter (December 25, 1832) EGW: Vision on Civil War given in the winter (January 4, 1862) 3) JS: Said the Lord EGW: Said the Angel 4) JS: Rebellion of SOUTH Carolina. EGW: SOUTHERN Rebellion 5) JS: Great Britain will call upon OTHER NATIONS and pour out WAR on ALL NATIONS EGW: England will sound out OTHER NATIONS and declare WAR ON ALL NATIONS 6) JS: England will help the South EGW: Great Britain will help the South 7) JS: War would not exterminate slavery EGW: War would not exterminate slavery 8) JS: Slaves will rise up and go to war in the U.S. EGW: Britain will rise up and go to war in the U.S. 9) JS: Slave question will arise previous to the coming of the Son of Man EGW: Slavery left to live and stir up rebellion before Christ's coming. "On December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith gave has famous revelation concerning the Civil War. It is printed as follows in Section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants...The Mormon people believe that this Revelation proves that Joseph was a prophet. Larry Jonas , on the other hand, shows that Joseph Smith may have received the idea for this revelation from the views of his time: .... At the time Smith made his prophecy, the nation expected a war between the North and South to begin at the rebellion of South Carolina. This can be confirmed in a US history book ... the war expected in 1832 did not come to pass ... Far from being evidence of Smith's divine calling, the most famous prophecies which he made are evidence that he can copy views of his time.' (Mormon Claims Examined, by Larry S. Jonas, p.52) ..." Quoted in "Mormonism-Shadow or Reality?", p.190; Gerald and Sandra Tanner. Neither Joseph Smith nor Ellen G. White's predictions came true for the following reasons: although "The South" did rebel in 1861, but that had been predicted by men who did not claim divine inspiration. The South did call on Great Britain for aid , but that was also easily predicted, since the bulk of the 'south's trade was with England.' Here the prophecy totally breaks down. England did not come to the aid of the Confederacy, as the prophecy implies would happen. Nor did Great Britain call upon other nations for defense or any other purpose. There was no need for such a call. Neither was war 'poured out upon all nations.' The slaves did not rebel against their masters. There were slave rebellions, of course, the most famous being Nat Turner's in 1831, but there was never a general slave rebellion either before, during, or after the Civil War. Indeed, 'while the war last ed most of the slaves remained loyal to their masters' ... Since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, and the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution took effect in 1865, there have been no slaves." Taken from "The Evangel" Jan-Feb 1990 ; "False Prophecies of Joseph Smith" by Robert McKay, p.4 JOSEPH SMITH: "I DID NOT PROFESS TO BE A PROPHET" JS claims he was misunderstood, that he never called himself a prophet. Joseph Smith discussed his role as prophet on the Sabbath. "It has gone abroad that I proclaimed myself no longer a prophet. I said it last Sabbath ironically: I supposed you would all understand. It was not that I would renounce the idea of being a prophet, but that I had no disposition of proclaiming myself such." V5:516 "At the close I arose, and bowed to the court ... I accepted an invitation to see Judge Pope in his room, and spent an hour in conversation with his honor, in which I explained to him that I did not profess to be a prophet any more than every man ought to who professes to be a preacher of righteousness; and that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." V5:231, 232 EGW: "I DID NOT CLAIM TO BE A PROPHETESS" EGW claims she was misunderstood, that she never called herself a prophetess. EGW, like Joseph Smith discussed her role as prophet on the Sabbath. "I am not, as I said yesterday Sabbath, a prophet. I do not claim to be a leader. I simply claim to be simply a messenger of God, and that is all I have ever claimed." EGW statement made on Sabbath, October 1, 1904 in the Battle Creek Tabernacle; quoted in "The Blue Book," pp. 11,12; Charles Stewart "When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make that statement 'I do not claim to be a prophetess.' If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess." Review, July 26, 1906, p.12 "Some have stumbled over the fact that I did not claim to be a prophet ... Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title ... Why have I not claimed to be a prophet? Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word 'Prophet' signifies ..." 1 SM 31,32,35,36 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: Claims he was misunderstood, that he never called himself a prophet EGW: Claims she was misunderstood, that she never called herself a prophet JS: Discussed his role as prophet on Sabbath EGW: Discussed her role as prophet on Sabbath JS: "I did not profess to be a prophet EGW: "I did not claim to be a prophet" JS: Did not renounce idea of being called a prophet EGW: Did not renounce idea of being called a prophet JS: Others called him a prophet EGW: Others called her a prophet JS: Rumors went around JS no longer considered himself a prophet EGW: Said she did not consider herself a prophet JS: All should understand what he said on Sabbath about being a prophet EGW: All should understand what she said on Sabbath about being a prophet JS: Did not "proclaim" to be a prophet EGW: Did not "claim" to be a prophet JOSEPH SMITH: "THE FATHER AND SON" ARE "PERSON" WITH FORM Joseph Smith's Chapter Heading DC 130: "Important items of instruction given Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Ramus, Illinois, April 2, 1843 - ...THE FATHER AND SON POSSESS BODIES OF FLESH AND BONES ... *Prophecy of great difficulties involving much bloodshed to begin in South Carolina (*JS Civil War Prophecy of bloodshed to begin in the South, EGW borrowed for 1T 253-260; "The North and South") DC 130:22 "The Father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as a man's; the Son also." Further Reference.- JSH 6:305 "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds the world in its orbit, and who upholds all the world and all thing by his power, was to make himself visible, I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man." EGW: "THE FATHER AND SON" ARE "PERSON" WITH FORM EGW's Chapter Heading: "END OF 2300 DAYS" "I SAW a throne, and on it sat the Father, and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I ASKED JESUS if His Father had a form lik e Himself. HE SAID HE HAD, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of His Person you would cease to exist ..." EV 54 "I have often seen the lovely Jesus that He is a person. I ASKED HIM IF HIS FATHER WAS A PERSON AND HAD A FORM LIKE HIMSELF. *SAID JESUS, 'I AM THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF MY FATHER'S PERSON.'" EV 77 *Did EGW "borrow" the words of the Mormon prophet to put in the mouth of Jesus? This seems within the realm of possibility, for, according to Ron Graybill, Secretary, EGW Estate, discussing "recently discovered examples" of EGW's borrowings, a certain passage discovered, did make it "appear that Mrs. White, in reporting that Christ spoke to her in vision, actually was copying the words of another author....it would not be surprising if she used the words of others to describe what she had seen in vision" Ron Graybill; Secretary; EGW Estate; "Did Mrs. White 'borrow' in reporting a vision?"; "Adventist Review," April 2,1981, p. 7 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS JS: Saw God sitting enthroned in heaven with Son EGW: Saw Father sitting on throne in heaven with Son JS: Had a revelation or vision EGW: Had a vision JS: Father and son had a form and is a person EGW: Father and son had a form and is a person JS: God is like man in form EGW: Jesus is like his father in form JS: God made in image of man EGW: Jesus made in image of father JS: Saw father and son face to face EGW: Saw father and son person but could not see their face ALMA: CHAPTER TITLE - "THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION" Adam and Eve partake of the Tree of life Alma's "Testimony" - "What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever." - Alma 12:21 - Chapter Title "The Plan of Redemption" (Although the word partake is not used in the Biblical narrative, it appears in both Alma and Ellen's account) EGW: CHAPTER TITLE -"*THE PLAN OF SALVATION" Adam and Eve partake of the Tree of Life I EGW's "Vision" -- "The angels feared that they should put forth the hand, and eat of the tree of life, and be immortal sinners. But angels were commissioned to guard the way of the tree of life. It was Satan's studied plan that Adam and Eve should disobey God, receive his frown, and then be led to partake of the tree of life; that they might live forever." -- 1 SG 22 -- Chapter Title "The Plan of Salvation" ALMA: "MANKIND BECAME LOST" "Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Adam did fall by partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God, and thus we see, that by his fall, all Mankind became a lost and fallen people." -- Alma 12:22 (the biblical account in Genesis does not say that "man was lost", although Alma and Ellen include this in their narrative) EGW: "MAN WAS LOST" "Sorrow filled heaven, as it was realized that man was lost, and the world that God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness and death, and there was no way of escape for the offender. The whole family of Adam must die ..." 1 SG 23,24 ALMA: "ANGELS CONVERSE" WITH ADAM AND EVE AND "GOD MADE KNOWN THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION TO THEM "And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning things whereof he had appointed unto them. Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, and caused men to behold of his glory. And they (the angels) began to call on his name, therefore God conversed with men and made known unto them, the plan of redemption ..." Alma 12:29 (The word "converse" is not found in the scriptural account. The terms "Plan of Redemption" and "Plan of salvation" used by Alma and Ellen, according to an SDA theologian, are not biblical terms) EGW: "ANGEL SAYS JESUS IN "CLOSE CONVERSE" WITH THE FATHER WHO THEN MADE KNOWN "THE PLAN OF SALVATION" "... I SAW the lovely Jesus, and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon his countenance. Soon I SAW him approach the exceedingly bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, he is in close converse with his Father... He than made known to the angelic host that a way of escape had been made for lost man. He told them that he had been pleading with his father, and had offered to give his life a ransom ... At first the angels could not rejoice, for their commander concealed nothing from them, but opened before them the plan of salvation ..." 1 SG 23 ALMA: "DEATH COMES UPON MANKIND" "And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which is been spoken of by Amulek ..." Alma 12-24 EGW: "THE WHOLE FAMILY OF ADAM MUST DIE" "... And the world that God created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness and death...the whale family of Adam must die ..." 1 SG 22,23 A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS 1) Alma: Chapter title "The Plan of Redemption" (Alma 12:21) EGW: Chapter title "The Plan of Redemption" (1 SG 22) 2) Alma: "First parents partake of the fruit of (Alma 12:21) the tree of life and live forever" EGW: "Adam and Eve partake of the tree of life (1 SG 22) that they might live forever" 3) Alma: "Mankind became lost" (Alma 12:22) EGW: "Man was lost" (1 SG 23,24) 4) Alma: "Angels converse" with Adam and Eve (Alma 12:29) and "God made known the plan of redemption" to them EGW: Angel says Jesus in "close converse" (1 SG 23) with the Father who then "made known the plan of salvation" 5) Alma: "Death comes upon mankind" (Alma 12:24) EGW: "Mortals doomed to death... (1 SG 22,23) the whole family of Adam must die" JOSEPH SMITH: RECEIVES TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH DC 5:14 "And to no one else will I grant this power to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this the beginning of the rising up and coming for of my church ..."
EGW: "TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH" IS THE TITLE OF ALL NINE VOLUMES (In which are to be found many teachings borrowed from the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith) "I SAW that the testimony of the *true witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church stands has been lightly esteemed." SG 270 (*"True Witness meaning herself - also a familiar term with JS) "... a clear, living testimony in the church ..." 3T 361 "... Opposition has risen in the church to the plain testimony. Some will not bear it." 2 SG 283 "Testimony To The Church" Is The Chapter Title In 2 "SG" 277-300 JOSEPH SMITH: THOSE WHO REJECT HIS "TESTIMONY" ARE UNDER "CONDEMNATION" DC 5:15; 16; 18 "And the testimony of three witnesses I send forth of my word. "And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit... "And their testimony shall also go forth unto the condemnation of this generation if they harden their hearts against them."
EGW: THOSE WHO REJECT HER "TESTIMONY" ARE UNDER "CONDEMNATION" "... They do not appreciate the light God has given them. They do not heed the warnings and reproofs from the Spirit of God. They are under condemnation. These will ever be at variance with the straight testimony because it condemns them." 3T 361 JOSEPH SMITH: "TESTIMONY OF THE THREE WITNESSES" DC 5:18 also JSH 1:56,57 "And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth my word ..."
EGW: "TESTIMONY OF THE TRUE WITNESS" "I SAW the testimony of the true witness had not been heeded...I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True witness ..." SG 270 JOSEPH SMITH: HIS "TESTIMONY" IS "RECORDED IN HEAVEN" FOR "ANGELS TO LOOK UPON" DC 62:3 " ... ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon ..."
EGW: HER "TESTIMONIES ANGELS WRITE IN A BOOK"' "It will pay, then, to prove the privileges within our reach, and, even at some sacrifice, to assemble with those who fear God and speak for him; for he is represented as hearkening to those testimonies while angels write them in a book... " 4T 107 JOSEPH SMITH: "SATAN WILL STIR UP" UNBELIEF IN HIS "TESTIMONY" DC 10:32,33 "And, behold, they will publish this, and Satan will harden the hearts of the people to stir them up to anger against you, that they will not believe my words. Thus Satan thinketh to over power your testimony in this generation, that the work may not come forth in this generation." EGW: "SATAN WILL STIR UP UNBELIEF" IN HER "'TESTIMONY" "It is Satan's work to tempt minds. He will insinuate his wily suggestions, and stir up doubts, questioning, unbelief, and distrust of the words and acts of one who stands under responsibilities, and who is seeking to carry out the mind of God i n his labors. It is the special purpose of Satan to pour upon and around the servants of God's choice troubles, perplexities, and oppositions, so that they, will be hindered in their work and if possible, discouraged ..." TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, Volume 3, p.343 "The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God" 2 SM 78 ALMA STRUCK KORIHOR DUMB FOR DOUBTING THE POWER OF GOD 1830 "Korihor" wrote: Saying, I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak" "Now *Alma said unto him (Korihor) ... thou art possessed with a lying spirit ... the devil has power over you ... And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that h e hath power and then I will be convinced of the truth of thy words. Now Alma said unto him: This will I give thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words: and I say, that in the name of God ye shall be struck dumb that ye shall have no more utterance. Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma. And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand, and wrote: saying, I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak: and I know nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I also know that there was a God. Behold, the devil had deceived me ... Now when he said this, he besought that Alma sho uld pray unto God, that this curse might be taken from him ..." Alma 30:39;42;43;46-53 (*Alma was a prophet and founder of a church)
EGW: GOD STRUCK HER DUMB FOR DOUBTING 'THE POWER OF GOD 1844 EGW "Wrote.. that I was dumb ... I was unable to speak" "... at family prayers one morning the power of God began to rest upon me, and the thought rushed into my mind that it was mesmerism. I was struck dumb and for a few moments was lost to everything around me. I then saw my sin in doubting the power of God and for so doing I was struck dumb and that my tongue would be loosened in less than twenty four hours. A card was held up before me, on which were written letters of gold the chapter and verse of fifty texts of scripture. After I came out of the vision,* I beckoned for the slate and wrote upon it that I was dumb... I was unable to speak all day... After that I dared not doubt for a moment or resist the power of God . . . " Experience and Views, pp. 22-23 (I believe this is also found in Volume 1 or 2 of the suppressed edition of Spiritual Gifts) A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS
EGW: Doubted power of God and struck dumb 2) Korihor: Wrote: Saying, I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak EGW: Wrote...that I was dumb ... I was unable to speak 3) Korihor: Possessed by devil EGW: Possessed by mesmerism 4) Judge: Put forth his hand and wrote that he knew Korihor was dumb EGW: Put forth her hand and beckoned for slate on which she wrote she knew she was dumb 5) Korihor: Knew nothing going on around him excepting the power of God EGW: Knew nothing going on around her excepting the power of God 6) Korihor: No longer doubted power of God EGW: No longer doubted power of God 7) Korihor: Power of God on him EGW: Power of God on her 8) Korihor: Asked Alma to pray to God EGW: Prayed to God *Contrary to Arthur L. White, grandson of EGW and former secretary of EGW Estate who claimed that (1) EGW "related or wrote out in her own words" those things she saw in vision, her words more closely reflect the teachings found in Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon. JOSEPH SMITH: IN "CONFUSION RETIRED TO THE WOODS IN MORNING TO PRAY" "At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in...confusion, or...ask of God... so in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God ... I retired to the woods to make an attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day... I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally ... I knelt down and began to offer up the desire of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, a nd had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak ... But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized me... the power of some actual being from the unseen world ..." JSH 2:13-16 EGW: "IN THIS CONFUSION I WOULD GO IN THE WOODS.. AND PRAY" "... I had never prayed vocally... Then I would go away in the woods, where no eye or ear but God's could see or hear, and pray to Him, and He would sometimes give me a vision there. I then rejoiced, and told them God had revealed to me al one, where no mortal could influence me. But I was told by some that I could mesmerize myself ... in this confusion I was sometimes tempted to doubt my own experience. While at family prayers one morning, the power of God began to rest up on me, and the thought rushed into my mind that it was mesmerism and I resisted it. Immediately *I was struck dumb ..." EV 11;21-23 (*This experience was repeated and expanded. See ALMA AND ELLEN where Alma, a prophet and church founder, struck Korihor dumb for doubting the power of God. A striking similarity to Joseph Smith's "Book of Alma" 30:39-53) A RECAP OF SIMILAR THOUGHTS AND WORDS 1) JS: In great confusion EGW: In confusion 2) JS: I retired to the woods to make an attempt to pray EGW: I would go away in the woods and pray 3) JS: I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally EGW: I had never prayed vocally 4) JS: Prayed in the morning EGW: Prayed in the morning 5) JS: Seized upon by power which entirely overcame him EGW: Power of God began to rest on her 6) JS: Immediately I was seized upon by some power EGW: Immediately I was struck dumb 7) JS: Power had influence over me EGW: Could not be influenced 8) JS: Tongue bound so he could not speak EGW: Struck dumb 9) JS: As soon as he began to pray a power seized him EGW: As soon as she began to pray a power seized her
JOSEPH SMITH: "REPEATED VISION" "... But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again the same things as before.." PGP 52:46 EGW: "VISION REPEATED" "While at family prayer that night Brother S. I was again taken off in vision, and that portion of the vision that had passed from me was repeated ..." LS 302 JOSEPH SMITH: FIRST VISION--"A VOICE SPEAKING - SURROUNDED BY LIGHT" "The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me by name. I looked up and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before ..." PGP 53:49 EGW: FIRST VISION: "SURROUNDED WITH LIGHT - A VOICE SAID" "It was not long *after the passing of time in 1844, that my first vision was given me... I seemed to be surrounded with light and rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, look again, and look a little higher. At this I raised my eyes ..." 1 T 58 (*EGW's "First Vision" of falling off the path was appropriated from .Joseph Smith. EGW statements on when she received her first vision conflict with themselves: 1844 her first vision (LS 192,193; EV 9; l T 58; LS 64; WLF 22; RH 3/7/35 1845 Her first vision given (LS 221;1888 ed; LS 323;1846 was date of her first vision - l SM 41) JOSEPH SMITH: "RELATED" VISION TO FATHER WHO SAID IT WAS OF GOD" "He (the angel Moroni) related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and * commandments which I had received. "I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter with him. He replied to me that it was of God and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger ..." PGP 53:49,50 (*EGW also said she had received "commandants" in vision) EGW: "'RELATED VISION TO FATHER AND BELIEVERS WHO SAID IT WAS OF GOD" "I related this vision to the believers * in Portland, who had full confidence that it was from God ... In a *second vision, which soon followed the first, I was shown ... that it was my duty to go and relate to others what God had revealed t o me ... THE WORDS OF THE ANGEL sounded continually in my ears, 'Make known to others what I have revealed to you.'...The constant assurance that I was fulfilling my duty and obeying the will of God gave me a confidence that surprised me ... My father had a family to support, and could not leave his business; but (he said) if God had called me to labor in other places, he would not fail to open the way for me ..." 1T 62,63 (*When EGH related her "First Vision" (which she borrowed from Joseph Smith) to believers in Portland, Maine, she may have been talking to Mormons since Joseph Smith's brother, Samuel H. Smith and his brother-in-law, Arthur Milliken had already established a church there and sold the "Book of Mormon" door-to -door.) JOSEPH SMITH: VISION "RELATED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT "He (the angel Moroni) related to me all that he had related to me the previous night ..." PGP 53:49 EGW: VISION "RELATED THE EVENING BEFORE" "... The next day a meeting was called, and I related the things which the Lord had shown me the evening before ..." LS 302 JOSEPH SMITH: "CIRCULATING FALSEHOODS" " ... rumor with her thousand tongues was all the time employed in circulating falsehoods about my father's family, and about myself ..." PGP 55:61 EGW: "CIRCULATED FALSEHOODS" "... I had just received a letter from my mother begging me to return home, for false reports were circulating concerning me ... he circulated falsehoods to destroy my influence ..." 1T 66,67 JOSEPH SMITH: HAD "'THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY"' "... I also had the spirit of prophecy ..." PGP 56:73 EGW: HAD "THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" (Referring to herself) "... the Lord has manifested himself through the spirit of prophecy ..." 5T 64 JOSEPH SMITH: "ON COMING UP OUT OF THE WATER THE HOLY GHOST FELL UPON HIM" "... we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lo rd, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of lights, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering angels, and the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins ... "Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him ..." PGP 56:68-73 EGW: "WHEN I AROSE FROM THE WATER THE POWER OF GOD WAS UPON ME" "Soon after our return from camp-meeting, I with several others, was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism. The Methodist minister consented to immerse the candidates if they conscientiously preferred that method... "Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordinance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore, but as I took up this heavy cross, my pea ce was like a river. When I arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of God was upon me ..." 1T 28,29 JOSEPH SMITH: "PERSECUTED BY THOSE WHO HAD TREATED ME KINDLY" "... persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly ..." PGP 50:28 EGW: "TREATED WITH COLDNESS BY THOSE WHO HAD BEEN KIND" "... After the meeting closed, I was conscious of being treated with marked coldness by those who had formerly been kind and friendly to me ..." 1T 36 JOSEPH SMITH: FILLED WITH THE "HOLY GHOST" AND THEN THEY HAD AN "UNDERSTANDING" OF "THE SCRIPTURES" "... I ALSO HAD THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, WHEN STANDING UP I PROPHESIED concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church ...we were filled with the Holy Ghost and rejoiced in the God of our salvation. "Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the Scripture laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of the more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before thought of ..." PGP 57:74 EGW: FILLED WITH "SPIRIT OF GOD" AND THEN THEY HAD AN "UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCRIPTURES" "In the early days of the message when our numbers were few, we studied diligently to understand the meaning of many scriptures. At times it seemed as if no explanation could be given. My mind seemed to be locked to an understanding of the Word, but when the brethren who had assembled for study came to a point where they could go no further, and had recourse to earnest prayer, the SPIRIT OF GOD WOULD REST UPON ME. I WOULD BE TAKEN OFF IN VISION AND BE INSTRUCTED IN REGARD TO THE RELATION OF SCRIPTURE TO SCRIPTURE" RH, June 14, 1906; TEY, pp. 145,146 JAMES WHITE'S OWN HISTORY PARALLELS THAT OF BOTH JOSEPH SMITH AND ELLEN G. HARMON WHITE Since James White helped Ellen G White in her writings, and, as Walter Rea has clearly proven in his research, James White took two books "wholesale" and made them his own. From these facts it appears that elements in James White's own history, parallelling that of both Ellen Gould Harmon White and Joseph Smith is more than mere coincidence. JOSEPH SMITH'S EXPERIENCE
4) Confided in mother - PGP 48:20 5) An obscure boy 16 years - PGP 49:23,24 6) Not guilty of great sins - PGP 50:.28 7) Prayed at night pleading - PGP 50:29 8) Voice told him to go see his father in the field - PGP 52:48; 53:49,50 JAMES WHITE'S EXPERIENCE 1 ) Born in Maine - LS 1 2) Distressed and confused - LS 19 (suppressed 1880 ed) 3) Went to grove to pray - LS 18 (suppressed 1880 ed) 4) Confided in mother - LS 15 (1880 suppressed ed) 5) A feeble boy 14 years - LS 12 (1880 suppressed ed) 6) Not guilty of sin of profanity - LS 15 (1880 suppressed ed) 7) Prayed at night pleading - LS 18 (suppressed 1880 ed) 8) Voice told him to go see his father in the field - LS 18 (suppressed 1880 ed) EGW'S EXPERIENCE
4) Confided in Mother - LS 157 5) Feeble and young - 1T 17-22; LS 139-145 (1880 suppressed ed) 6) Her brother not guilty of great sin -1T 28,29 7) Prayed at night - 1T 23;26; LS 151 (1880 suppressed ed) 8) Voice of the angel told her to go see her father (who was not in field, but in hat shop) 1T 62,63 JAMES WHITE'S PREFACE TO SUPPRESSED 1880 EDITION OF "LIFE SKETCHES" PARALLELS THE PREFACE OF JOSEPH SMITH'S "PEARL OF GREAT PRICE" JS: "The many false reports ... put in circulation JW: "The prejudicial statements put in circulation" JS: "The rise and progress of the Church" JW: "The rise and progress of the cause" JS: Presents "the facts" in his history (used twice) JW: Presents "the facts" in their history (used twice) JS: "Disabuse the public mind" JW: "The public mind abused" |
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