God asked the Israelites not to have sexual relations when they came to meet Him on Mount Sinai as part of a broader command to sanctify themselves and maintain purity in preparation for His holy presence. The instructions included washing their clothes and abstaining from anything that could be considered impure or unclean. This was to impress upon them the necessity of personal cleanliness and spiritual sanctification when approaching God. Ellen White explains: - “Read the directions that were given to Moses, to be made known to the children of Israel as God was about to come down upon the mount to speak in their hearing his holy law. What did he command Moses to have the people do?—To be ready against the third day; for on the third day, said he, the Lord will come down upon the mount in the sight of all the people. They were to set bounds about the mount. ‘And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.’ ... That mighty God directed Moses to tell the people to wash their clothes, lest there should be impurity in their clothing and about their persons as they came up before the Lord.” (GW92 161.2) - “The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were required to wash both their persons and their clothing. This direction was enforced on pain of death. No impurity was to be tolerated in the presence of God.” (MH 279) Abstaining from sexual relations was part of this sanctification process, symbolizing the need for complete purity and reverence in the presence of God. The act was not because sexual relations are inherently sinful, but to emphasize the seriousness and sacredness of the occasion, and to teach the people about the holiness required when coming before God. If you need more specific references or further explanation, please let me know! References: - White, E. G. (1892). Gospel Workers (GW92), p. 161.2. - White, E. G. (1905). The Ministry of Healing (MH), p. 279.

According to available White Estate materials, there is no direct statement from Ellen White that specifically addresses whether having sex on the Sabbath is "bad." However, her writings emphasize that the Sabbath should be kept holy, set apart from ordinary or personal pleasure, and devoted to spiritual matters, worship, and rest. She counsels that we should not "do our own pleasure" on the Sabbath (see PP 307.3; 2T 702.1; Isaiah 58:13). While sexual relations within marriage are not condemned in general, Ellen White's principle for Sabbath observance is to refrain from seeking personal pleasure and to devote the day to God. Therefore, based on her counsel, sexual relations would generally be considered as "doing your own pleasure" and not in harmony with the spirit of Sabbath observance as she describes it. References: - White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets (PP), p. 307.3. - White, E. G. (1871). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2 (2T), p. 702.1. - White, E. G. (1892). Gospel Workers (GW92), p. 207.