The historical accounts describe **two distinct occasions** where Ellen White held a large Bible during vision, demonstrating supernatural strength in each instance. ## The Topsham, Maine Incident (1845) The first documented occurrence took place at Mr. Curtis's home in Topsham, Maine. During this vision, Ellen White "took the large family Bible from the table, and held it on her hand some time at an angle of forty-five degrees" (
15MR 66.3). A more detailed account explains that she "took from a bureau a large family Bible weighing about eighteen pounds, and, holding this at arm's length above her head with her left hand, she turned the pages with her right hand. Then, with her eyes directed upward away from the book, she read correctly many passages of scripture, pointing to the verses with the index finger of her right hand" (
CET 252). The account emphasizes that "with her ordinary strength she would have had difficulty even in lifting this heavy volume; but while supernaturally strengthened in vision, she held it aloft with outstretched arm for more than half an hour" (
CET 252). ## The Mr. Thayer's House Incident The second incident occurred at Mr. Thayer's house, where skeptics were present. When Mr. Thayer wanted to test whether her vision was genuine, he "took a heavy, large quarto family Bible which was lying on the table, and seldom used, opened it, and laid it upon Sister Ellen while in vision, as she was then inclined backward against the wall in the corner of the room" (
LS80 233.1).
Immediately after the Bible was placed on her, she "arose upon her feet, and walked into the middle of the room, with the Bible open in one hand, and lifted as high as she could reach, and with her eyes steadily looking upward, declared in a solemn manner, 'The inspired testimony from God'" (
LS80 233.1). She then "continued for a long time, to turn over the leaves with her other hand, and place her finger upon certain passages, and correctly repeat their words with a solemn voice" (
LS80 233.1). Witnesses verified her accuracy by checking the passages she quoted while her eyes remained looking upward, not at the Bible. ## Key Details About the Bibles Both incidents involved **large, heavy family Bibles** - the Topsham Bible specifically weighed about eighteen pounds. In both cases, Ellen White held the Bible at arm's length or above her head for extended periods while in vision, demonstrating strength far beyond her normal physical capacity. Her eyes were consistently directed upward, away from the Bible, yet she accurately quoted scripture passages while pointing to them with her finger. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
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