Ellen Chat Conversation

I found 2 matching passage(s). The quote you are asking about comes from a letter written by Ellen White in 1876. Here is the full passage: > "It is really not wise to have children now. Time is short, the perils of the last days are upon us, and the little children will be largely swept off before this. If men and women who can work for God would consider that while they are pleasing themselves in having little children and caring for them, they might be at work teaching the way of salvation to large numbers and bringing many sons and daughters to Christ, great would be their reward in the kingdom of God." — *Daughters of God*, DG 140.2 (also found in *Last Day Events*, LDE 36.5) ### What does this mean? To understand this passage, it is helpful to look at the historical context and the specific intent of the message: 1. **Urgency of Mission:** When Ellen White wrote this in 1876 (Letter 48, 1876), there was a profound sense of the "shortness of time." She was specifically addressing individuals who were capable of being active missionaries. Her point was that the energy, time, and resources required to raise a family could, in some cases, be better spent "bringing many sons and daughters to Christ" through evangelism. 2. **The Perils of the Last Days:** She expressed a motherly concern for the suffering that children might endure during the final crisis of earth's history. The phrase "swept off" suggests that children would face great trials or death during the coming "time of trouble," and she wished to spare parents that grief. 3. **Specific Counsel vs. Universal Command:** It is important to note that Ellen White did not present this as a "commandment" for every couple for all time. In other writings, such as *The Adventist Home*, she speaks beautifully about the blessings of children and the responsibilities of parents. This specific quote was a warning about the priorities of those dedicated to the Lord's work during a time of perceived imminent crisis. 4. **The "Now":** In the context of 1876, the "now" referred to a period of intense missionary activity. Seventh-day Adventists have historically balanced this sense of urgency with the reality of building stable Christian homes and schools for the next generation. In summary, the passage emphasizes **sacrifice for the gospel** and a warning about the **difficulties of the end times**, rather than a total prohibition on having children.