How relevant are Ellen G. White’s writings today? “The first group completely reject her writings; the second group think that her writings are useful simply for devotional readings; the third group misuse and misquote her writings. This morning I want to share with you why I believe Ellen White’s writings are still relevant to me today,” said Elder James Nix in his opening address to the delegates of the Spirit of Prophecy Advisory. He shared with the group ten reasons why he believed her writings are still important today. The reasons are as follows: she uplifted Christ, she uplifted the Bible, she expounded the great controversy theme, reading them give wonderful spiritual/devotional blessings, she explains the health advantages, they have had an impact on church institutions, her predictions came true, the impact of Ellen White’s life was tremendous, the physical phenomena while in vision are verifiable by the Bible, and their self-authentication.

Elder James Nix is the director of the Ellen G. White Estate. The Estate was established by the last will and testament of Ellen G. White to act as the custodian of her writings. Both Elder James Nix and associate director William Fagal came to Korea as guest speakers for the Spirit of Prophecy Advisory organized by Elder Miguel Luna, the Ministerial Association Secretary and Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. Eighteen delegates from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan have come to attend this advisory at the Division offices from May 21 to May 23, 2007.

During the sessions Elder Nix shared the role and function of the Ellen G. White Estate. He explained that at present the number of trustees’ board members is fifteen. The number of lifetime members is currently five. Through the years a close working relationship has been maintained between the White Estate trustees and the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Elder Fagal focused on the Scriptures and the prophetic role of Ellen G. White. He also shared fundamental principles on the interpretation of her writings. During the afternoon sessions the Spirit of Prophecy coordinators gave reports of the work being done in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan. Great enthusiasm was shown to participate in the Connecting with Jesus global distribution project. There was a general consensus on the importance of the transmission of Ellen G. White’s writings to the new generation of Adventist believers. Therefore, the distribution of the set of 10 books of Ellen G. White writings has become a priority for our church leaders.

The Ellen G. White Estate has established fifteen research centers worldwide. One of these is located at Sahmyook University in Korea, and another in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division supported Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines.