From doubt to delight: How one skeptic found inspiration in Ellen White’s words

"I'd like to read one of her books for myself," said HT, one of our new contacts at our new church plant.

I first met HT when he came to our church plant on the opening Sabbath to see what it was all about. He wanted to see for himself who these new church people were that were renting their church. After attending, he and his family were greatly impressed with what God was doing here. He decided to come back a second time the following Sabbath.

I had the privilege of sharing that Sabbath, and HT wanted me to come to his home to explain the things I had shared to his wife, who wasn't there that day. When I went to their home, the conversation shifted from my original sermon to many different questions HT had. The Lord blessed our time together that day, and despite strong discouragement from some other family members, HT and his family continued to come to church.

During one of my visits to his home, the question arose, "is the Seventh-day Adventist church a cult?" HT had been told by others that we were a cult and had been warned not to get caught up with us. Worried about associating with a cult, HT raised several questions about Ellen White and her role as a prophetess. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I answered his questions with wisdom, and finally, HT said, "I'd like to read one of her books for myself. I should read it and see what is so bad with her."

This was music to my ears. I was delighted to assist him with that, and on my next visit, I brought him a copy of "Peace Above the Storm," also known as "Steps to Christ." He read through it cover to cover and loved it! He exclaimed, "If this is Ellen White, I can go to bat for Ellen White."

He shared the book with his daughter and wife, and another member gave him a copy of "The Desire of Ages." He started reading it, and at the time of this writing, he is well over halfway through. He has reported gaining a clearer understanding of the Bible through his reading and even expressed how wonderful the portrayal of Jesus is, stating his desire to be like Him.

Truly, "Our publications are now sowing the gospel seed and are instrumental in bringing as many souls to Christ as the preached word. Whole churches have been raised up as the result of their circulation" (CM 150.3).

In the words of the popular radio personality Paul Harvey, "Ellen White: You don't know her? Get to know her!"