Based on the writings of Ellen White, the "true church" is not identified as a specific denomination, but is defined by its foundation, its mission, and the character of its members. ### The Foundation of the True Church The true church is founded on Jesus Christ himself. He is its source of life and strength. * "Christ is the foundation of every true church. We have His unalterable promise that His presence and protection will be given to His faithful ones who walk in His counsel. To the end of time Christ is to be first." (9T 147.1) ### The Mission of the True Church The church was organized by God for the specific purpose of spreading the gospel and truth throughout the world. * "The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world." (AA 9.1) * "The church of Christ is God's agency for the proclamation of truth; she is empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellence of divine power." (8T 11.4) ### The Members of the True Church The true church is composed of faithful and sincere individuals, regardless of their current affiliation. Ellen White noted that many of Christ's true followers are scattered throughout various denominations. * "Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness, and alienation from God, that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their communion." (GC 390.1) * "It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have... He will reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus, and they will yet take their position with his people." (4SP 381.3) ### The Character of the True Church The true measure of the church is not its profession or the names on its books, but its active, faithful work for God. * "The real character of the church is measured, not by the high profession she makes, not by the names enrolled on her books, but by what she is actually doing for the Master, by the number of her persevering, faithful workers." (GW 200.2) In summary, the true church is a body of faithful believers founded on Christ, loyal to His commandments, and actively engaged in His mission, whose members can be found across many different Christian denominations.

Based on the writings of Ellen White, the answer is no. While she acknowledges that there are sincere and faithful Christians within the Roman Catholic communion, she views the system of the Roman Church as being in opposition to the principles of the gospel. Her writings make a clear distinction between the individual members and the religious system itself. ### Individual Believers Within the Catholic Church Ellen White states that many true followers of Christ are within the Catholic Church and that God will reach them with truth. * "It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. They are not allowed access to his word, and therefore they do not discern the truth... He will reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus, and they will yet take their position with his people." (4SP 381.3) ### Views on the Roman Catholic System However, she wrote extensively about her concerns with the doctrines and claims of the Roman Catholic Church as an institution. * **On Infallibility:** She points out that the church's claim to infallibility is a core issue. * "The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented?" (GC 564.2) * **On the Sabbath:** She identifies the Roman Church as the power that changed the Sabbath and states that Protestant churches are paying it "homage" by accepting this change. * "The Roman Church has not relinquished her claim to supremacy; and when the world and the Protestant churches accept a sabbath of her creating, while they reject the Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit this assumption." (GC 448.2) * **On Its Harmony with the Gospel:** She asserts that the system of Romanism is not in harmony with the gospel. * "But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation." (GC 565.4) In summary, Ellen White did not consider the Catholic Church to be the "true church." She saw it as a system with erroneous doctrines, while at the same time believing that many of its members were sincere Christians who were serving God to the best of their ability and knowledge.

Based on the writings of Ellen G. White, the foundational basis for her claim that the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church are erroneous is her conviction that the system elevates human tradition and authority above the authority of the Bible. Her primary test for all doctrine was the principle of *Sola Scriptura* (the Bible alone). She wrote that "True Christianity receives the Word of God as the great treasure-house of inspired truth, and the test of all inspiration" (GC 193.3). From this foundation, she identified several specific areas where she believed the doctrines were in error: ### 1. The Authority of the Church vs. The Authority of Scripture Ellen White's central critique was that the Roman Church substituted the authority of the pope and church traditions for the authority of the Bible. She saw this as setting aside the Word of God in favor of human wisdom. * "Romanism, claiming for her sovereign pontiff an inspiration descended in unbroken line from the apostles, and unchangeable through all time, gives ample opportunity for every species of extravagance and corruption to be concealed under the sanctity of the apostolic commission." (GC 193.3) ### 2. The Change of the Sabbath She pointed to the change of the day of worship from the seventh-day Sabbath to Sunday as the most prominent example of the church placing its tradition above God's explicit command. * "The Roman Church has not relinquished her claim to supremacy; and when the world and the Protestant churches accept a sabbath of her creating, while they reject the Bible Sabbath, they virtually admit this assumption." (GC 448.2) ### 3. The Doctrine of Papal Infallibility She viewed the doctrine of papal infallibility as a dangerous assumption of a divine attribute. She stated plainly, "God and heaven alone are infallible... In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible" (Letter 10, 1895). She applied this same standard to any human institution, arguing that the papal claim to infallibility was contrary to scripture. * "The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented?" (GC 564.2) ### 4. The System of Confession Although not detailed in the immediate search results, her writings elsewhere critique the practice of confessing sins to a priest, viewing it as supplanting the direct mediatorial role of Jesus Christ as the sole High Priest to whom believers should confess their sins. In summary, Ellen White's basis for viewing the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church as erroneous was her belief that the system had departed from the foundation of the Bible by elevating human traditions, changing God's law, and claiming for its leader an authority and infallibility that belongs to God alone.