Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White’s writings do not contain a direct discussion of elective abortion as it is commonly defined today.

However, she addressed the sanctity of life and the responsibility of parents regarding the health and vitality of their offspring. She emphasized that individuals suffering from severe diseases should not take on the responsibility of parenthood, suggesting that it is a grave matter in the sight of Heaven to risk bringing children into the world who will suffer from inherited physical or mental deficiencies (HR September 1, 1871, Art. A, par. 8). Regarding miscarriages, her counsel focused on lifestyle choices and physical habits that could lead to the loss of a pregnancy. She specifically identified the practice of tight-lacing or restrictive dressing as a primary cause for the alarming number of miscarriages in society during her time. She noted that such practices deprived both the mother and the developing child of necessary vitality and oxygen, sometimes leading to near-fatal consequences for the mother (HR November 1, 1871, par. 28). While she did not explicitly mention drugs used for the purpose of inducing miscarriage, she wrote extensively against the general use of toxic drugs and "nostrums" prevalent in the nineteenth century. She warned that the widespread reliance on drugs had caused more deaths than all other causes combined and led many to untimely graves. Her medical philosophy leaned heavily toward preventive medicine, simple habits of living, and the use of natural restorative agencies rather than the administration of harmful substances (MM xiv.4).

In her broader work, she encouraged the development of medical ministry specifically for women and urged that women be given opportunities and encouragement in the medical field (13MR 118.2). Her focus remained on elevating the spiritual and physical health of the family and ensuring that the "right arm" of the gospel—medical work—was used to preserve life and health according to divine principles (MM xv.1).

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Ellen White emphasized that the responsibility of parenthood begins long before a child is born, requiring a deep sense of accountability to God for the physical and spiritual heritage passed on to the next generation. She taught that parents must carefully consider the implications of bringing children into the world, recognizing that they are not merely personal possessions or "playthings" but are the property of God, entrusted to human care to be trained for His service (10MR 102.2). This stewardship involves a solemn consecration of both the parents and the children to the Lord, with the understanding that the characters formed in this life have eternal consequences (10MR 102.2), (13MR 292.3). A significant part of this responsibility involves the physical well-being of the offspring. White highlighted that many children suffer or die due to the ignorance of those responsible for them, particularly regarding the laws of the physical organism (BEcho February 5, 1894, par. 2).

She urged those contemplating marriage and parenthood to take into account all that is involved in rearing children to meet the divine standard (DG 201). This includes a duty to preserve life and health, as the physical and mental vitality of the child is heavily influenced by the habits and choices of the parents (BEcho February 5, 1894, par. 2). Furthermore, she taught that parents cannot shift their God-given duties onto others or wait for human counsel to dictate their course of action. Instead, they are encouraged to seek wisdom and strength directly from God, who is willing to teach individuals their specific duties (LYL 39).

Mothers, in particular, are called to be "queens" in their households, prioritizing the education and training of their children over the fashions of the world (ChristianEducator November 1, 1897, par. 1). This training is intended to ground children in obedience to God's statutes, protecting them from the "flood-gates of disappointment" that result from disobedience (ChristianEducator November 1, 1897, par. 1).

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