25. Ellen White reflected popular, erroneous views on health (masturbation, wigs, dress reform, no evening meal).


Answer: The video mixes Ellen White's writings with the writings of others. Five of the six statements presented as representing Ellen White's views on masturbation were not written by her but by physicians quoted by James White in A Solemn Appeal, pp. 12, 91, 96, 257, 271. For comments on each of these issues, see references below.


Resources:

Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, 1998, pp. 493-495 [masturbation, wigs];

Francis D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, 1951, pp. 136-160; SDA Encyclopedia,1996 ed., vol. 10, "Dress," pp. 475-476; Arthur L. White, The Progressive Years, pp. 177-184 [dress reform];

Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 173-178; Arthur L. White, The Progressive Years, Appendix C [2 meals a day].

For a recent analysis of Ellen White's health message, see Douglass, Messenger, pp. 278-342; the real reasons for the health message are summarized on pp. 292-296; the results of the health message as seen in the lives of Adventists after more than a century are summarized on pages 320-342.