While Ellen White does not use the specific term "firearms" in her writings, she does discuss weapons and arms in various contexts, from historical accounts to spiritual metaphors. Here are some of the ways she addresses the topic: ### 1. In Historical and Biblical Narratives She often recounts biblical stories where weapons were used for defense or in conflict. * **Nehemiah's Builders:** When rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, the workers had to be armed for protection: "They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so builded" (PK 643.3). * **David and Goliath:** She describes David's courage in taking up Goliath's sword after his victory: "He asked Ahimelech for a sword, and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath... David replied, 'There is none like that; give it me'" (PP 656.1). * **Israel's Lack of Weapons:** She notes a time when the Israelites were oppressed and disarmed by the Philistines: "The men of Israel had, to a great extent, neglected to provide themselves with weapons of war... there were none among them, except Saul and his son Jonathan, who possessed a spear or a sword" (PP 616.2). ### 2. In the Context of Persecution She describes historical scenes of persecution where the righteous were often unarmed and defenseless. * **The Waldenses:** She writes of the horrific persecution they faced: "Others, more mercifully dealt with, were shot down in cold blood, as, unarmed and helpless, they fell upon their knees in prayer. Hundreds of aged men, defenseless women, and innocent children were left dead upon the earth at their place of meeting" (GC 271.3). ### 3. Spiritual and Metaphorical Weapons Her most frequent use of "weapon" is in a spiritual sense, emphasizing reliance on God and spiritual armor rather than physical arms. * **Spiritual Armor:** She encourages believers to be "Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness" to enter the final conflict (PK 725.1). * **God's Promise of Protection:** She often quotes the Bible to assure believers of divine protection: “‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn’” (PK 725.1). * **The Missionary's Arms:** She tells the story of a missionary who, when warned about going unarmed among hostile tribes, declared his weapons were "prayer, zeal for Christ, and confidence in His help" (GC 361.2). In summary, Ellen White does not provide direct counsel on the modern-day ownership of firearms. Her writings discuss weapons primarily in historical, narrative, and spiritual contexts, with a strong emphasis on trusting in God for protection and utilizing spiritual "weapons" in the Christian life.