For a century Seventh-day Adventist pastors in North America refused to baptize individuals wearing jewelry (including wedding rings) and were prohibited from performing weddings which included the exchange of rings. Churches denied membership to people who wore jewelry. Nominating committees prevented individuals wearing wedding rings from holding church office. Countless congregations have been grievously divided over the issue of “dress and adornment.”
All this occurred in North America while at the same time SDA pastors and congregations across Europe and Australia studied the same Bible and had no qualms whatever about wearing jewelry or exchanging wedding rings. Thus, in the name of Ellen G. White, a non-Biblical doctrine and double standard was imposed upon North Americans. The following Ellen White quotations clearly indicate the origin of this error:
EGW
- “Not one penny should be spent for a circlet of gold to testify that we are married.” — Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 180, 181 (1895).
- “That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others.” — Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 630 (written in 1881).
- “When we see them using God’s time and money in needless display of dress we cannot but warn them that they are breaking not only the first four, but the last six commandments. They do not make God the supreme object of their worship, neither do they love their neighbor as themselves.”—Ibid., 632.
- “We judge a person’s character by the style of dress worn.” — Ibid., p. 643.
- “Self–denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. … Abstain from … jewelry and ornaments of every kind.” — Evangelism, p. 269, (1875).
- “The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. …” — Ibid., p. 268.
The photographs on the next pages show Ellen White, her relatives, and SDA Church leaders wearing the very jewelry they prohibited others from wearing. In order to perpetuate the myth of non- adornment, the Church’s own Review and Herald artists made a habit of carefully air-brushing Ella Robinson’s necklace out of the family photographs they published (see photographs on pages 209-212). This is the extent to which Ellen White’s supporters go to defend her myths!
When you show these photographs to Seventh-day Adventists do not be surprised to hear them object: “Well, no doubt these are pictures of people before they became Seventh-day Adventists!” Do not be confused, for every one of these adults were members of the Seventh- day Adventist Church when these photographs were taken.
Did God Vacillate Over the “Reform Dress”?
Also included on page 213 are photographs of Ellen White and her “reform dress.” This dress was invented in 1850 by Elizabeth Smith Miller, and subsequently encouraged by Amelia Bloomer and Harriet Austin as the “American Costume.” Ellen White’s reaction in 1863 was:
“God would not have his people adopt the so-called reform dress.” — Testimonies, vol. 1, page 421
But a year later, after Ellen White became aware she could make money selling her own patterns for the dress, she claimed to have received a new message from God which contradicted the previous one:
“God would now have his people adopt the reform dress.” — Testimonies, vol. 1, page 525
Thus began her ten-year struggle to impose this dress upon the Adventist Church. But success eluded her. Fortunately on January 3, 1875, “God mercifully removed her burden to continue wearing and promoting the short skirt and pants. In vision she saw that the dress reform had become ‘an injury to the cause of truth.’ … The testimony calling for its adoption was now ‘to become silent.’” – Prophetess of Health, by Ronald L. Numbers, page 145-146 (quoting from Ellen White’s “Simplicity in Dress,” Testimonies, vol. 4, pages 637-639).
As you examine these photographs please remember Ellen White’s supporters become very uncomfortable when her inconsistencies, myths, and frauds are exposed. Many of them would rather believe a lie to preserve Ellen White’s mystique than to receive the truth and be freed from her errors. They will charge you with deception rather than accept the photographic evidence placed in front of their eyes.
Ellen G. White with twin sister Elizabeth at age 51. Ellen is wearing jewelry (a brooch and gold chain). This photograph was taken 15 years after she condemned others for wearing similar jewelry. Shouldn’t “the Lord’s Messenger” practice what she preached?
Ellen White (seated in center) with necklace- draped grand– daughter Ella Robinson (standing in upper left corner). Ella’s husband, Dores sports a watch chain.
Above Left: Close up of another family photo shows Ella seated next to Ellen White with her necklaces intact in the original photograph.
Above Right: The retouched photograph which appears in Arthur White’s book Ellen G. White, The Later Elmshaven Years, p. 243 showing Ella with the offending necklace obliterated. It was common for Review and Herald artists to carefully airbrush away jewelry displayed in photographs. We are told that practice has now been discontinued. However, for a hundred years Seventh-day Adventists were duped into believing their ancestors rejected the wearing of jewelry in obedience to Ellen White’s “messages.”
Thomas Lewis and Letta Sterling’s wedding picture from 1886. Letta wrote for the Little Friend.
Nellie Lewis (1883) was the wife of the manager of the Battle Creek Sanitarium laundry. All these ladies were Seventh-day Adventists when photographed.
Marietta Aldrich, hired by James White, was one of the first three typesetters at the Review and Herald. Later she was superintendent of the Battle Creek SDA Church’s kindergarten. Her husband was press foreman at the Review and Herald; her father was the first treasurer of the General Conference; and her father-in-law chaired the meeting that organized the first General Conference session. Contrary to what the Church would have you believe, they all wore jewelry. Photos courtesy of Spectrum
Mrs. S. N. Haskel with her gold watch and chain. Her husband was President of the California Conference, a member of the General Conference Committee, and frequently accompanied Ellen White in her travels.
Even the children of good Seventh- day Adventists wore jewelry as Carrie Lewis (left) and her sister Nellie Lewis (right) can attest. These photographs were taken in 1870, long after their parents had joined the Seventh–day Adventist Church.
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Elizabeth Miller |
Amelia Bloomer |
Harriet Austin 1850’s |
Ellen White in reform dress around 1864. The pictures show even in this she was behind her times.
Ellen White’s reform dress design published in 1868. Seven years later she abandoned the idea.
White Washed. Copyright © 2011 by Sydney Cleveland. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2011. Revised and enlarged 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2011. All Scripture quotations—except where otherwise noted—are from Holy Bible, New International Version, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved. Life Assurance Ministries, Inc.
White Washed is a comprehensive look at Ellen White’s prophecies, practices and publications. Sydney Cleveland examines her claims of inspiration, her dreams and visions, the doctrines she endorsed, her personal practices which opposed her teachings, and the effects of her claims on the Seventh-day Adventist church. This book is a well-documented overview of the little-known reality about Ellen White and her long service to Adventism.
- White Washed - July 1, 2021
- 13. A Word to Aspiring Prophets - October 8, 2020
- Appendix B – SDA Jewelry and Dress - October 8, 2020