What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What was Ellen White's stance on long engagement periods or unclear relationships?"
Answer
Ellen White expressly advised against long engagements, considering them unwise and unfair to the partner to bind affection prematurely over such an extended period. At the same time, she warned against hasty marriages and emphasized the need to thoroughly examine a partner's character in daily life before entering into a firm commitment. Unclear or secret relationships based on deception or mere impulse she regarded as dangerous to spiritual and character development.
Long engagements are not wise
»I am sorry that you have become entangled in a romance with Nellie A. First, your concern on this matter is premature. Common sense and discretion require you to wait one or two years. But choosing someone who remains in your mind and feelings throughout that period would be neither wise for you nor just to the one to whom you give your attention. ... Even the premature binding of your feelings is unjust to yourself and to any young woman.«
Avoiding hasty marriages through testing
»In ancient times, the custom that a suitor had to perform service to win his bride prevented a rash marriage and provided an opportunity to test the depth of his affection as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time many evils arise because the opposite course is pursued. Often individuals have little opportunity before marriage to learn the habits and nature of the other, and are essentially strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Had the suitor's character been examined according to the old custom before marriage, great misfortune could have been avoided.«
Dangers of the present method of courtship
»The method of seeking a partner as practiced in this era is a scheme of deception and hypocrisy. It has an intoxicating influence on the mind. I have been shown that many young people would have experienced disappointment, alienation, and separation had their intentions been carried out. The enemy of the soul has far more to do with the pairing of couples than the Lord.«
State of immaturity and unclear motives
»Strike marriage from your mind. You are in no way suited for it. You need years of experience before you are qualified to understand and assume the duties and burdens of married life. Guard your thoughts, passions, and affections strictly. Do not abase them to serve lust.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
