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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
but will become darker and darker, until the light of heaven will be
entirely withdrawn.” [
Testimonies for the Church 2:447
(1870).]
In a view given me about twenty years ago, “I was then directed
to bring out general principles, in speaking and in writing, and at the
same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some individuals,
that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled. I saw that all
should search their own hearts and lives closely to see if they had not
made the same mistakes for which others were corrected and if the
warnings given for others did not apply to their own cases. If so, they
should feel that the counsel and reproofs were given especially for
them and should make as practical an application of them as though
they were especially addressed to themselves.... God designs to test
the faith of all who claim to be followers of Christ. He will test the
sincerity of the prayers of all those who claim to earnestly desire to
know their duty. He will make duty plain. He will give all an ample
opportunity to develop what is in their hearts.” [
Testimonies for the
Church 2:687
(1871).]
[661]
Object of the “Testimonies””
“In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and
apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His
Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more
earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the
course that He would have them pursue.” [
Testimonies for the Church
4:147, 148
(1876).]
“The Lord has seen fit to give me a view of the needs and errors of
His people. Painful though it has been to me, I have faithfully set before
the offenders their faults and the means of remedying them.... Thus has
the Spirit of God pronounced warnings and judgments, withholding
not, however, the sweet promise of mercy....
“Repentant sinners have no cause to despair because they are
reminded of their transgressions and warned of their danger. These
very efforts in their behalf show how much God loves them and desires
to save them. They have only to follow His counsel and do His will,
to inherit eternal life. God sets the sins of His erring people before
them, that they may behold them in all their enormity under the light
of divine truth. It is then their duty to renounce them forever.” “If