Acquired physical characteristics become genetic
By lacing, the internal organs of women are crowded out of their positions…. These fashionably dressed women cannot transmit good constitutions to their children. Some women have naturally small waists. But rather than regard such forms as beautiful, they should be viewed as defective. These wasp waists may have been transmitted to them from their mothers, as the result of their indulgence in the sinful practice of tight-lacing, and in consequence of imperfect breathing. Poor children born of these miserable slaves of fashion have diminished vitality and are predisposed to take on disease. The impurities retained in the system in consequence of imperfect breathing are transmitted to their offspring.1
“But my waist is naturally slender,” says one woman. She means that she has inherited small lungs. Her ancestors, more or less of them, compressed their lungs in the same way that we do, and it has become in her case a congenital deformity.”2
Tight lacing causes lung protrusions in the neck
At the hotel, “DIEU,” the great hospital at Paris, a young girl of eighteen lately presented herself to Breschet for his advice. On the right side of her throat, she had a tumor of variable size, but never larger than one’s fist. It reached from the collarbone as high as the thyroid cartilage. When pressed downward, it wholly disappeared; but as soon as the pressure was removed, it was indolent, soft and elastic. It was observed to be the largest when the chest was tightly laced with corsets. In short, by placing the ear on it the murmur of respiration could be heard in the tumor, which proves that a protrusion of the lungs had taken place, or in other words, that poor girl had been laced so tightly that her lungs, having no longer sufficient space in their natural position, were squeezed out of it, and were forcing their way up along the neck.3
The brain contains animal organs, wigs cause recklessness in morals
The artificial hair and pads covering the base of the brain heat and excite the spinal nerves centering in the brain. The head should ever be kept cool. The heat caused by these artificial coverings induces the blood to the brain. The action of the blood upon the lower or animal organs of the brain causes unnatural activity, tends to recklessness in morals, and the mind and heart are in danger of being corrupted.4
Babies who nurse from others will inherit the wet-nurse’s morals
Mothers sometimes depend upon a hireling…. A stranger performs the duties of the mother and gives from her breast the food to sustain life. Nor is this all. She also imparts her temper and her temperament to the nursing child. The child’s life is linked to hers. If the hireling is a coarse type of woman, passionate and unreasonable; if she is not careful in her morals, the nursling will be, in all probability, of the same or similar type. The same quality of blood coursing in the veins of the hireling nurse is in that of the child.5
Ankles must not be exposed to the sight of men
It is a common thing to see the dress raised one-half of a yard, exposing an almost unclad ankle to the sight of gentlemen, but no one seems to blush at this immodest exposure. No one’s sensitive modesty seems shocked for the reason that this is customary. It is fashion, and for this reason it is endured. No outcry of immodesty is heard, although it is so in the fullest sense.6
Sexual union between man and beast is evident in certain races of men
Every species of animal which God had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which God did not create, which were the result of amalgamation [sexual union], were destroyed by the flood. Since the flood, there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men.7
Earthquakes and Volcanoes caused by coal and oil burning beneath surface
At this time [after the flood] immense forests were buried. These have since been changed to coal forming the extensive coal beds that now exist, also yielding large quantities of oil. The coal and oil frequently ignite and burn beneath the surface of the earth. Thus, rocks are heated, limestone is burned, and iron ore melted. The action of the water upon the lime adds fury to the intense heat, and causes earthquakes, volcanoes and fiery issues.
Ellen G. White statements that appear to contradict the Bible
When was the plan of salvation made?
EGW: The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually established until the death of Christ.8
Bible: Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Tim. 1:9).
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will (Eph.1:4, 5).
Was Adam deceived?
EGW: Eve yielded to temptation, and through her influence Adam also was deceived.9
Bible: And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into
transgression (1 Tim. 2:14).
Are sin or trespass offerings still to be made by Christians?
EGW: You could at least have made efforts to correct your acts of injustice to your fellow men. You cannot make every case right, for some whom you have injured have gone into their graves, and the account stands registered against you. In these cases, the best you can do is to bring a trespass offering to the altar of the Lord, and He will accept and pardon you.10
Should all whom God has prospered with earth’s riches carry out His plan by faithfully giving a tenth of all their increase, and should they not withhold their trespass offerings and their thank offerings, the treasury would be constantly replensished.11,12
But there has been a great neglect of duty. Many have withheld means which God claims as His, and in so doing they have committed robbery toward God. Their selfish hearts have not given the tenth of all their increase, which God claims. Neither have they come up to the yearly gatherings with their freewill offerings, their thank offerings, and their trespass offerings.13
All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn, He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and offerings—in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings. Should means flow into the treasury in accordance with this divinely appointed plan—a tenth of all the increase, and liberal offerings—there would be an abundance for the advancement of the Lord’s work.14
Dear sisters, shall this order of things continue; or will you resolve to put off your ornaments, and turn your attention fully to seeking the Lord? Bring in your trespass-offerings, your thank-offerings, and your freewill-offerings; humble your hearts before the Lord, and he will be found ever ready to receive and pardon.15
Bible: He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time…. (Heb. 10:12).
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin (Heb.10:18).
Is there more than one gospel?
EGW: The gospel of health is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the word. It is the Lord’s design that the restoring influence of health reform shall be a part of the last great effort to proclaim the gospel message.16
Those who teach the principles of health reform should be intelligent in regard to disease and its causes, understanding that every action of the human agent should be in perfect harmony with the laws of life. The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world.17
Bible: But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:8).
What is the seal of God for the Christian?
EGW: The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lord’s memorial of creation.18
Bible: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30. See also 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13).
When did Satan tempt Christ?
EGW: As soon as Christ’s long fast commenced, he was at hand with these temptations. He came clothed in light, claiming to be an angel sent from the throne of God to sympathize with Christ and relieve him from his suffering condition. He represented to him that God did not desire him to pass through the pain and self-denial which he had anticipated. He claimed to bear the message from Heaven that God only designed to prove the willingness of Christ to endure his test.19
Bible: And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matt. 4:2-3).
Can we freely pray for the sick?
EGW: Under the heading, “Prayer for the Sick” we find this statement: We should first find out if the sick one has been withholding tithes or has made trouble in the church.20
Bible: And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill. (Matt. 8:16).
Is it all right to pray standing up?
EGW: Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they should stand upon their feet when praying to God? One who has been educated for about five years in Battle Creek was asked to lead in prayer before Sister White should speak to the people. But as I beheld him standing upright upon his feet while his lips were about to open in prayer to God, my soul was stirred within me to give him an open rebuke. Calling him by name, I said, “Get down upon your knees.” This is the proper position always.
Bible: And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions (Mark 11:25).
Is vegetarianism required of God’s people?
EGW: Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods… will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetite be cleansed. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people.21
Bible: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods [meats], which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth (1Tim. 4:1-3).
Can Christian ministers eat meat?
EGW: Let not any of our ministers set an evil example in the eating of flesh meat. Let them and their families live up to the light of health reform.22
Bible: And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover [lamb] with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15).
Is a Christian under condemnation if he eats meat?
EGW: At the time the light on health reform dawned upon us, and since that time, the questions have come home every day. “Am I practicing temperance in all things?” “Is my diet such as will bring me in a position where I can accomplish the greatest amount of good?” If we cannot answer these questions in the affirmative, we stand condemned before God, for he will hold us all responsible for the light which has shone upon our path…23
Bible: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).
Will eating eggs hinder our prayers?
EGW: You place upon your tables butter, eggs, and meat and your children partake of them. They are fed with the very things that will excite their animal passions, and then you come to meeting and ask God to bless and save your children. How high do your prayers go?24
Bible: Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? (Luke 11:11-13).
Endnotes:
- Ellen G. White, Health Reformer, 1870-11-01.
- Ibid., 1871-10-31.
- Ibid., 1871-12-01.
- Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, p. 185.
- Ibid., p. 145.
- Ellen G. White, Health Reformer, 1872-05-01.
- Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, p. 75, See also, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, p. 64, Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, p. 69, 78.
- Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy; 1888 edition, p. 347. See also Early Writings, pp. 126, 149-151.
- Ellen G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, 352.
- Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 339. See also Vol. 5, p. 150.
- Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 408.
- It should be noted that “trespass offerings” cannot be interpreted here to refer to thank offerings as these are mentioned separately.
- Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 510.
- Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 75.
- Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, 1880-07-08.
- Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 75.
- Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 136.
- Ibid, Vol. 8, p. 117.
- Ellen G. White, Spirit of Prophecy; Vol. 2, p. 89.
- Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, p. 237.
- Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 36.
- Ibid., p. 399.
- Ibid., p. 20.
- Ibid., p. 366.
- Appendix B: Questionable Statements by Ellen G. White - February 26, 2026
- Appendix C: Ellen G. White Bibliography - February 26, 2026
- Appendix A: Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists - February 19, 2026