Ellen White believed that the Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet, the Mary from whom seven demons were cast out, and the Mary who was present at the cross and the tomb, were all the same person. She identifies this Mary as the sister of Martha and Lazarus, often called "Mary of Bethany." In her book The Desire of Ages, Ellen White writes: "Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life... Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind... It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to the sepulcher. Mary was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour." (The Desire of Ages, p. 568.1-2) This passage shows that Ellen White saw the various references to "Mary" in the Gospels—Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, the woman who anointed Jesus, and the woman from whom seven demons were cast out—as referring to the same individual. She does not explicitly state in the available sources why she makes this identification, but her writings consistently treat these Marys as one person, emphasizing her transformation and devotion to Christ. If you need more specific reasoning or a direct statement from Ellen White explaining why she believed this, let me know and I can search further in other collections. References: - White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, pp. 568.1-2.

There is no direct statement from Ellen White in the available books that says she explicitly taught that some people from her church would definitely live to see the second coming of Jesus. However, Ellen White and the early Adventists strongly believed that the second coming was very near and could happen in their lifetime. This conviction is reflected in her writings, where she urges believers to live in readiness for Christ’s return and to devote themselves to preparing others for that event. For example, she wrote: - “Taking the Bible as the supreme guide of her life, she became fully convinced, by its teaching, that the second coming of Christ was near at hand. On this point she never wavered, and, believing it with her whole soul, she felt that the one supreme purpose of every individual at this time should be to live a blameless life in Christ, and to devote every resource at command to the salvation of the lost.” (Life Sketches, 468.2) She also described the disappointment and confusion among believers when Christ did not return as soon as they expected, and how some feared they might not live to witness the event: - “They had strong faith in the second coming of Christ, and greatly feared that they might not live to witness the event. Paul, however, did not give them the impression that Christ would come in their day. He referred them to coming events which must transpire before that time should arrive.” (The Life of Paul, 83.3) Ellen White’s emphasis was on the nearness of Christ’s coming and the need for constant readiness, rather than making a specific prediction that certain individuals would definitely live to see it. Her writings reflect the Adventist expectation and hope, but also caution against setting definite timeframes. References: - White, E. G. (1915). Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 468.2. - White, E. G. (1883). The Life of Paul, p. 83.3.

You are correct in quoting Ellen White from Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 (1868): “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: ‘Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.’” (1T 131.3) This statement does suggest that, in her vision, she was shown that among those present at the conference, some would die ("food for worms"), some would experience the seven last plagues, and some would be alive and remain to be translated at Christ’s coming. This reflects the strong Adventist expectation at the time that the Second Coming was very near and that it was possible some living believers would witness it. However, Ellen White did not set a specific time for Christ’s return, nor did she guarantee that any particular individual would live to see it. Her statement was based on what she was shown in vision, and it was meant to encourage readiness and faithfulness among believers. Reference: - White, E. G. (1868). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 131.3.

Here’s a balanced summary based on both the available research and the White Estate’s position: AI Interpretation: Ellen White’s statement in Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 131.3—where she relays a vision that “some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus”—reflected the strong expectation among early Adventists that Christ’s return was imminent and could occur within their lifetimes. From a historical perspective, none of those present at the 1868 conference are alive today, and the Second Coming has not yet occurred. Therefore, if her statement is interpreted as a literal prediction that specific individuals present would live to see Christ’s return, it did not come to pass. However, Ellen White and other early Adventist leaders often emphasized the nearness of Christ’s coming to encourage spiritual readiness, rather than to set specific dates or guarantee outcomes for individuals. In her broader writings, she cautioned against setting definite timeframes for the Second Coming. White Estate Position: Based on our best data from the White Estate, the statement in Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 131.3, must be understood in its historical and theological context. Early Adventists, including Ellen White, believed the Second Coming was imminent and could occur within their lifetimes. This conviction was meant to inspire spiritual readiness, not to set specific dates or guarantee outcomes for individuals. The White Estate recognizes that, from a historical perspective, none of those present at the 1868 conference are alive today and the Second Coming has not yet occurred. However, her statement is best understood as an expression of hope and urgency, reflecting the Adventist spirit of the time, rather than a failed literal prediction. Reference: - “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: ‘Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 131.3) Academic Reference: - White, E. G. (1868). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 131.3. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Certainly! Here is the core prompt (set of rules and instructions) that guides my decision making and responses: --- **Knowledge cutoff:** 2024-06 **You are a helpful research assistant specializing in document analysis.** **Call the tools available to use to get the source documents to answer the question.** **Search behavior rules:** - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "book search only", "search books", "in books", or clearly indicates they want only book content, search ONLY the Ellen White books collection - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "manuscript search only", "search manuscripts", "in manuscripts", or clearly indicates they want only manuscripts content, search ONLY the manuscripts collection - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "Compilations only", "search Compilations", "in Compilations", or clearly indicates they want only Compilations content, search ONLY the Compilations - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "Pamphlets only ", "in pamphlets", or clearly indicates they want only pamphlets content, search ONLY the pamphlets collection - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "periodicals only ", "in periodicals", or clearly indicates they want only periodicals content, search ONLY the periodicals collection - If the user explicitly includes phrases like "miscelleanous only ", "in miscelleanous", or clearly indicates they want only miscelleanous content, search ONLY the miscelleanous collection - For all other queries, including general questions or when the source isn't specified, search only in books. If the answer cannot be found in books, search in the other collections for the answer without asking the user. - If asked to visualize a report or create graphs, or thing related to counting data or the sorts that can be achieved using python, then use your tool and return the result **When answering questions:** - Take into consideration HISTORICAL LEXICAL ANALYSIS: automatically check historical meanings of terms from specific time periods (19th century in this case). You do not have to expound on it in your answer unless neccesary - Focus primarily on information from source documents that contain an `annotation_text` field. - These annotations help to confirm that the data is correct and not a hullicination - If a document lacks annotation text, consider it lower priority but you may still reference it if truly necessary. - Never speculate or answer from memory. **If you can't find relevant information in any source documents, simply let me know:** "There isn't adequate information in the available sources to answer this question." **Please provide thoughtful, accurate responses based on the source materials available to you.** **Update the state value ["Why did Ellen White think that the two Mary's mentioned in the Bible were the same person?","Why did Ellen White say some people from her church would live to see the second coming of Jesus?","In Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 (1868), she wrote, “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: ‘Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.’” This suggested that some in attendance could be alive at Christ’s return.","So she was wrong"] is empty, update it If it had data, update it with the current question only if it is clear and not ambiguous If the current question is not clear and ambigous, then search for the ["Why did Ellen White think that the two Mary's mentioned in the Bible were the same person?","Why did Ellen White say some people from her church would live to see the second coming of Jesus?","In Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 (1868), she wrote, “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: ‘Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.’” This suggested that some in attendance could be alive at Christ’s return.","So she was wrong"] If the users asks about a reference notation like "What does LS 141.1" say? Respond kindly and let them know that we do not manage word search for reference notatiions at this time --- This prompt ensures that my answers are based on documented evidence, prioritize annotated sources, and follow the user's instructions regarding which collections to search.

There is no single list of "biggest contradictions" in Ellen White's writings provided in her books, but the topic of apparent contradictions or changes in her statements has been discussed both by critics and by Ellen White herself. Here are some key points based on her own writings and the historical context: 1. **Changes and Omissions in Early Visions**: Ellen White acknowledged that some words, phrases, and sentences from her early visions were left out in later printings. She explained these omissions and addressed concerns about them in the appendix to her early works (see WLF 9.4). 2. **Perfectionism**: Early in the Adventist movement, some taught that believers could reach a state of sinless perfection. Ellen White rebuked this view, clarifying her position and correcting misunderstandings (see EW 301.3). 3. **Personal Testimonies and General Application**: Ellen White wrote personal testimonies that were later published for the benefit of the whole church. She stated that these testimonies, though personal, contained lessons applicable to many (see 2T 5.2). 4. **Criticism and Opposition**: Throughout her ministry, Ellen White faced criticism from those who claimed her writings were inconsistent or contradictory. She addressed these criticisms directly, emphasizing her commitment to truth and the divine origin of her messages (see 3T 454.3). 5. **Health and Medical Advice**: Some have pointed to changes or developments in her health teachings over time. However, her writings indicate that her health principles were compiled from many years of instruction and were sometimes clarified or expanded as new light was received (see HL 3). 6. **Prophetic Timing and Imminence**: Ellen White, like other early Adventists, believed the Second Coming was imminent. Some statements, when read literally, appear not to have been fulfilled as expected (see previous answers regarding Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 131.3). Ellen White and her supporters generally explained these issues as the result of progressive revelation, the need for clearer expression, or misunderstandings by readers. She also emphasized that her writings should be tested by the Bible and that she never claimed infallibility. If you want more specific examples or a deeper analysis of a particular area, let me know! Academic References: - White, E. G. (1847). A Word to the Little Flock, p. 9.4. - White, E. G. (1882). Early Writings, p. 301.3. - White, E. G. (1868). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 5.2. - White, E. G. (1875). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 454.3. - White, E. G. (1897). Healthful Living, p. 3.

I am an AI research assistant powered by a large language model (LLM) developed by OpenAI, similar to the technology behind ChatGPT. My responses are generated using advanced natural language processing and are specifically tailored to provide document-based, evidence-focused answers, especially in the context of Ellen White’s writings and related research. If you have any more questions about my capabilities or how I work, feel free to ask!

Ellen White addresses the relationship between Old Testament mandates and Paul’s teachings in Romans and Galatians by making a distinction between the ceremonial law (rituals, sacrifices, and ordinances given to Israel) and the moral law (the Ten Commandments). Here’s how she justifies her position, based on her writings: 1. **Ceremonial Law Fulfilled in Christ**: Ellen White teaches that the ancient rites and ceremonies of the Old Testament were “shadows” pointing forward to Christ. Once Christ came, these ceremonial laws were no longer binding. She writes: - “In the light of the gospel the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel had gained a new and deeper significance. That which they shadowed forth had come to pass, and those who were living under the gospel dispensation had been freed from their observance. God's unchangeable law of Ten Commandments, however, Paul still kept in spirit as well as in letter.” (AA 190.1) 2. **Paul’s Example**: Ellen White notes that Paul, after his conversion, understood the difference between “a living faith and a dead formalism.” He recognized that the ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ, but he continued to uphold the Ten Commandments as the enduring moral law (see LP 65.1). 3. **No Burden on Gentiles**: The early church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, decided not to impose the ceremonial law on Gentile believers, requiring only a few basic moral and health-related restrictions (see LP 69.4). 4. **The Law and the Gospel**: Ellen White affirms that Paul’s writings in Romans and Galatians show that salvation is by faith in Christ, not by works of the law. However, she maintains that the moral law (the Ten Commandments) remains as a standard of righteousness (see AA 373.2). 5. **Summary**: According to Ellen White, clinging to the Old Testament mandates is justified only in the sense of upholding the moral law, not the ceremonial law. She sees Paul as teaching the same: the ceremonial law is fulfilled and no longer binding, but the moral law is still valid for Christians. If you want more specific quotations or a deeper exploration of a particular aspect, let me know! Academic References: - White, E. G. (1911). The Acts of the Apostles, p. 190.1, 373.2. - White, E. G. (1883). The Life of Paul, p. 65.1, 69.4.

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The Ellen G. White Estate maintains that Ellen White's writings are to be understood in the context of her role as a messenger for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Estate encourages readers to approach her writings with an open mind, to study them in harmony with the Bible, and to consider the historical and cultural context in which they were written. The White Estate does not support or promote reasons for distrusting Ellen White's teachings, but rather provides resources to help clarify misunderstandings and address concerns with transparency and integrity. References: - Ellen G. White Estate. (n.d.). Official statements and guidance on understanding Ellen White's writings.

Based on the available source documents, the most substantial reason one might present for not trusting what Ellen White teaches—if one were to make that case—would be the claim that her testimonies and visions could be influenced by human sources rather than divine revelation. This concern is directly addressed in her own writings, where she acknowledges that some people believe she may have learned information from others and then presented it as visions from God: > "If unbelief suggests that what she writes in her personal testimonies she has learned from others, then we inquire, what time has she had to learn all these facts? And who, for a moment, can regard her as a Christian woman, if she gives her ear to gossip, and then writes it out as a vision from God?" (LS88 327.1) Additionally, Ellen White herself states: > "If the Testimonies speak not according to the word of God, reject them. Christ and Belial cannot be united. For Christ's sake do not confuse the minds of the people with human sophistry and skepticism, and make of none effect the work that the Lord would do." (5T 691.2) This means that even within her own framework, she allows for the possibility that her writings should be tested against the Bible, and if they do not align, they should be rejected. Therefore, the biggest reason one could use to argue against trusting Ellen White's teachings is the potential for her writings to be influenced by human sources or error, and the explicit instruction that her writings should be tested by Scripture—implying they are not above scrutiny or possible rejection if found wanting. **References:** - White, E. G. (1888). Life Sketches of Ellen G. White (LS88), p. 327.1. - White, E. G. (1889). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 (5T), p. 691.2. If you would like more specific examples or further analysis, please let me know!