Chapter 5—Experiences in Receiving the Visions
First Vision—While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me.—
Early Writings, 14.
Five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying,
the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded
with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. At this time I had a view of the
experience of the Advent believers, the coming of Christ, and the reward to be given to the
faithful.—Testimonies for the Church 5:654, 655.
The Experience Recounted—When the gleams of the glory of God came to me first,
they thought that I was dead, and there they watched and cried and prayed so long, but to me
it was heaven, it was life, and then the world was spread out before me and I saw darkness
like the pall of death.
What did it mean? I could see no light. Then I saw a little glimmer of light and then
another, and these lights increased and grew brighter, and multiplied and grew stronger and
stronger till they were the light of the world. These were the believers in Jesus Christ....
I never thought that I should come to the world
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again. When my breath came again to my body, I could not hear anything. Everything was
dark. The light and glory that my eyes had rested upon had eclipsed the light and thus it was
for many hours. Then gradually I began to recognize the light, and I asked where I was.
“You are right here in my house,” said the owner of the house.
“What, here? I here? Do you not know about it?” Then it all came back to me. Is this to
be my home? Have I come here again? Oh, the weight and the burden which came upon my
soul.—Manuscript 16, 1894.
Entirely Lost to Earthly Things—When the Lord sees fit to give a vision, I am taken
into the presence of Jesus and angels, and am entirely lost to earthly things. [This accounts
for the fact that Ellen White rarely speaks of the physical phenomenon that accompanied
many of the visions. She herself had to depend on the testimony of eyewitnesses for a
knowledge of these manifestations as she did in 1906 when she referred to evidences of her
call and work. See the item closing this chapter.] I can see no farther than the angel directs
me. My attention is often directed to scenes transpiring upon earth.
At times I am carried far ahead into the future and shown what is to take place. Then
again I am shown things as they have occurred in the past.—Spiritual Gifts 2:292(1860).
At Times Visions Received While Conscious—Friday, March 20, I arose early, about
half past three o’clock in the morning. While writing upon the fifteenth chapter of John
suddenly a wonderful peace came upon me. The whole room seemed to be filled with the
atmosphere of heaven. A holy, sacred presence seemed to be in my room. I laid down my
pen and was in a waiting attitude to see what the Spirit would say unto me. I saw no person.
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26 Selected Messages Book 3
I heard no audible voice, but a heavenly watcher seemed close beside me; I felt that I was in
the presence of Jesus.
The sweet peace and light which seemed to be in my room it is impossible for me to
explain or describe. A
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sacred, holy atmosphere surrounded me, and there were presented to my mind and
understanding matters of intense interest and importance. A line of action was laid out
before me as if the unseen presence was speaking with me. The matter I had been writing
upon seemed to be lost to my mind and another matter distinctly opened before me. A great
awe seemed to be upon me as matters were imprinted upon my mind.—Manuscript 12c,
1896.
Another Vision While Writing—I arose early Thursday morning, about two o’clock,
and was writing busily upon the True Vine, when I felt a presence in my room, as I have
many times before, and I lost all recollection of what I was about. I seemed to be in the
presence of Jesus. He was communicating to me that in which I was to be instructed.
Everything was so plain that I could not misunderstand.
I was to help one whom I thought I should never be called upon to be troubled with
again. I could not understand what it meant, but at once decided not to try to reason about
this, but follow the directions. Not an audible word was spoken to my ear, but to my mind. I
said, “Lord, I will do as Thou has commanded.”—Letter 36, 1896.
Wonderful Representation While Writing and Speaking—Not only when I am
standing before large congregations is special help bestowed upon me; but when I am
using my pen, wonderful representations are given me of past, present, and future.—Letter
86, 1906.
Ellen White Could Not Control the Visions—It is utterly false that I have ever
intimated I could have a vision when I pleased. There is not a shade of truth in this.
I have never said I could throw myself into visions when I pleased, for this is simply
impossible. I have felt for years that if I could have my choice and please God as well, I
would rather die than have a vision, for every vision places me under great responsibility to
bear testimonies of reproof and of warning, which has ever been
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against my feelings, causing me affliction of soul that is inexpressible. Never have I coveted
my position, and yet I dare not resist the Spirit of God and seek an easier position.
The Spirit of God has come upon me at different times, in different places, and under
various circumstances. [Elder J. N. Loughborough reports that the last vision accompanied
by physical phenomena was on the campground at Portland, Oregon, in 1884. He was
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present and he made mention of this in a talk he gave on January 20, 1893, on “the study of
the Testimonies,” at the General Conference session, held in Battle Creek. See The General
Conference Bulletin, 1893, 19, 20.—Compilers.] My husband has had no control of these