A committee that, under the guidance of the General Conference Committee, promotes the circulation of the Ellen G. White books and publications and initiates plans for new compilations when needed. It is composed of 10 members—General Conference officers (one of whom is chair), trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate, and others—and is appointed by the General Conference at the beginning of each administrative quinquennium.
The General Conference recognizes its responsibility to plan creatively and continuously so that the writings of Ellen G. White may be made available for circulation among Seventh-day Adventists, members of other communions, and persons of little or no religious profession. These works are published currently in some 124 books in English, as well as in numerous other languages and dialects of the peoples of the world. For example, Steps to Christ has been translated into about 132 languages, The Great Controversy into 53, The Ministry of Healing into 22, and Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing into 31. The counsels, instructions, and inspiration of these books have proved to be of major importance in the founding and administering of the church’s educational, medical, and publishing institutions throughout the world. Understanding the Bible is also greatly aided by the comments and counsels of these writings. The pastoral value of these books has been well demonstrated in the personal Christian living and service of millions of people worldwide.
Promotion of the circulation of the Ellen G. White books and publications is carried on continuously through the ministry of the church in its pastoral and evangelistic activities and by special field visitation on the part of church leaders, including representatives of the Ellen G. White Estate. In addition, pamphlets and tracts are made available for new members and congregations to acquaint them with the relationship and contribution of the work and writings of Ellen G. White to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From time to time articles are published in denominational periodicals on special aspects of the subject.
Each year a special program on the subject of the Spirit of Prophecy is prepared and supplied for use in a regular Sabbath-day worship service in all SDA churches and companies, usually in the month of October.
The Spirit of Prophecy Committee carries on a continuous program of survey and assessment through the regular administrative channels. This survey work envisages making the Ellen G. White works available to all people in their own language. Each year a budget provision is made by the General Conference for translating and printing Ellen G. White writings in new languages. The committee accepts applications for these funds from the world divisions, and recommends disbursement by the General Conference Executive Committee according to policy.
The committee works in close cooperation and coordination with the Ellen G. White Estate, which is directly responsible for certain parts of the program, such as preparing new compilations, deciding on abridgments, conducting research in connection with compilations and abridgments, and obtaining and maintaining copyrights.
The committee carries on its varied activities at the world headquarters of the SDA Church, in Silver Spring, Maryland, as a part of the denomination’s general administrative activity.