Chapter 20—Our Attitude Toward Doctrinal
Controversy
“The Daily” of Daniel Eight
I have words to speak to my brethren east and west, north and south.
I request that my writings shall not be used as the leading argument to
settle questions over which there is now so much controversy. I entreat
of Elders H, I, J, and others of our leading brethren, that they make no
reference to my writings to sustain their views of “the daily.”
It has been presented to me that this is not a subject of vital im-
portance. I am instructed that our brethren are making a mistake in
magnifying the importance of the difference in the views that are held.
I cannot consent that any of my writings shall be taken as settling
this matter. The true meaning of “the daily” is not to be made a test
question.
I now ask that my ministering brethren shall not make use of my
writings in their arguments regarding this question [“the daily”]; for I
have had no instruction on the point under discussion, and I see no need
for the controversy. Regarding this matter under present conditions,
silence is eloquence.
The enemy of our work is pleased when a subject of minor impor-
tance can be used to divert the minds of our brethren from the great
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questions that should be the burden of our message. As this is not
a test question, I entreat of my brethren that they shall not allow the
enemy to triumph by having it treated as such.
The True Testing Questions
The work that the Lord has given us at this time is to present to
the people the true light in regard to the testing questions of obedience
and salvation—the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus
Christ.
In some of our important books that have been in print for years,
and which have brought many to a knowledge of the truth, there
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