Here is a summary of Ellen G. White's doctrine on the "state of the dead," with direct references from her writings: 1. The Dead Are Unconscious—Not Alive in Another State: Ellen G. White taught that when people die, they are in an unconscious state, often described as "sleep." She wrote, “We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.” (4SP 377.1) She also referenced Paul, who “spoke of those who die as being asleep—in a state of unconsciousness” (AA 257.3). White warned that the idea of the soul’s immortality is a false doctrine borrowed from paganism: “Solomon thinks therefore, that the dead are altogether asleep, and think of nothing.” (GC88 549.3) 2. The Resurrection Is the Hope of the Dead: White emphasized that the resurrection at Christ’s return is the true hope for the dead. She wrote, “The voice of the Son of God is heard calling forth the sleeping saints... ‘Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust...’” (PK 728.1). At the resurrection, “The living saints are changed in a moment... and caught up with the risen ones, and together they meet their Lord in the air.” (EW 287.1) She described the resurrection as a glorious event when the dead are raised to life: “From the prison-house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying, ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’” (GC 644.2) 3. Importance of Understanding This Doctrine: White strongly warned that understanding the state of the dead is vital, especially in the last days. She wrote, “Those who would stand in this time of peril must understand the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the nature of man and the state of the dead; for in the near future many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends...” (4SP 377.1). She also said, “They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved relatives or friends, who will declare to them unscriptural doctrines.” (EW 262.2) Summary: Ellen G. White taught that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection at Christ’s return. She warned that spiritualism and the belief in the immortality of the soul are deceptions, and that only the resurrection brings the dead to life. Understanding this doctrine is essential for Christians to avoid being deceived by evil spirits impersonating the dead. Academic References: - White, E. G. (1884). The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 377.1 (4SP 377.1) - White, E. G. (1911). The Acts of the Apostles, p. 257.3 (AA 257.3) - White, E. G. (1888). The Great Controversy, p. 549.3 (GC88 549.3) - White, E. G. (1917). Prophets and Kings, p. 728.1 (PK 728.1) - White, E. G. (1882). Early Writings, p. 287.1; p. 262.2 (EW 287.1; EW 262.2) - White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy, p. 644.2 (GC 644.2) If you need more detail or specific quotes, just let me know!

Ellen G. White does not directly address miscarriage in the context of the "state of the dead" doctrine. However, her writings about the death of infants and children provide helpful insight that can be reasonably applied to miscarriage. **Key points from her doctrine:** 1. **State of the Dead—Unconscious Sleep Until Resurrection:** Ellen White consistently taught that all who die, including infants and children, are in an unconscious state ("sleep") until the resurrection at Christ’s return. For example, after the loss of her own child, she wrote: > "We followed our child to Oak Hill cemetery, there to rest until the Life-giver shall come, and break the fetters of the tomb, and call him forth immortal." (2SG 296.2; 1T 246.1) 2. **Hope in the Resurrection:** The hope for all who die, regardless of age, is the resurrection. She found comfort in knowing her child would "rest until the Life-giver shall come... and call him forth immortal." (2SG 296.2; 1T 246.1) 3. **No Immediate Transition to Heaven or Hell:** White rejected the idea that the soul of a deceased child or infant immediately goes to heaven or hell. Instead, she affirmed that they "rest" in the grave, unconscious, awaiting the resurrection. 4. **Application to Miscarriage:** While Ellen White does not specifically mention miscarriage, her doctrine implies that unborn children who die would also be in an unconscious state, resting until the resurrection. The same hope and comfort she expressed for deceased infants would apply: > "We laid her in Oak Hill Cemetery to rest until the sleeping saints awake to immortality." (LS80 322.1) **Summary:** Ellen G. White’s doctrine on the state of the dead teaches that all who die—including infants and, by implication, those lost in miscarriage—are unconscious in death, resting until the resurrection at Christ’s return. There is no biblical or doctrinal support in her writings for the idea that the souls of miscarried children are immediately conscious in another realm. The hope she offers is the resurrection and reunion at the Second Coming. **References:** - White, E. G. (1860). Second Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 296.2 (2SG 296.2) - White, E. G. (1868). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 246.1 (1T 246.1) - White, E. G. (1915). Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 322.1 (LS80 322.1) If you need more specific references or further clarification, please let me know!

Based on our best data from the White Estate, Ellen G. White does not explicitly state that the soul is not joined to the body until the first breath or birth. She references the biblical creation account, where God formed man from the dust and then breathed into him the breath of life, and "man became a living soul" (see MH 415.1; 8T 264). This is the main passage used in Adventist theology to describe the union of body and life (soul): > “When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, intelligent being... Man became a living soul.” (MH 415.1; 8T 264) Ellen White does not provide a detailed theological statement about the soul’s relationship to the body before birth or at the moment of first breath. Her focus is on the biblical model: life (soul) begins when the breath of life is given. There is no direct statement in her writings that the soul is not present before birth or before the first breath. The Adventist position, based on her writings and the Bible, is that the soul is the combination of the body and the breath of life—without either, there is no living soul. **References:** - White, E. G. (1905). The Ministry of Healing, p. 415.1 (MH 415.1) - White, E. G. (1904). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 264 (8T 264) If you need more specific doctrinal statements or further clarification, please let me know!