When Ellen G. White placed her writings in the hands of the White Estate trustees, she requested that four major tasks be performed: improve her books and manuscripts; continue publishing her books; produce and print new translations; and create new compilations. During the past quinquennium the Ellen G. White Estate trustees have worked to accomplish the task entrusted to them.

Improving Her Books and Manuscripts
We know of at least two ways Ellen White improved her writings: 1. She had someone edit her manuscripts. While her husband was alive, he was “correcting grammatical errors and eliminating needless repetition.” After his death she said, “Others assisted me in the preparation of matter for publication.”¹ 2. She was determined to use the right words to be understood: “I am exceedingly anxious to use words that will not give anyone a chance to sustain erroneous sentiments.”²

The board of trustees has considered the question of improving Ellen White’s writings. After much prayer and study the board agreed to publish a few versions of Ellen White books in contemporary English, while keeping the standard editions in print. This will help new generations whose understanding of such words as “gay” or “intercourse” differs from that of Ellen White and who no longer use “man” or “mankind” to refer to the human race.

This plan is not new. In 1896 Christ Our Saviour was published in a vocabulary suitable for children from materials prepared for The Desire of Ages. More recently adaptations of Steps to Christ have been published in simple English, and The Story of Redemption was published using a vocabulary for the hearing impaired.

To Continue Publishing Her Books
The board of trustees and the directors of the White Estate have been trying to find new ways to increase the readership of Ellen White’s writings and have become a pioneer among the church’s organizations in offering books in electronic format.

During the past quinquennium four new CD-ROM products have been produced. Ellen White writings in electronic format have also been produced in the Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish languages. Three official Web sites have been offering Ellen White writings and resource materials on the Internet. These Web sites are operated from branch offices at Andrews University, Loma Linda University, and the main office in Silver Spring, Maryland. They provide an almost exhaustless source of information on Ellen White, the Bible, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

To Secure and Print New Translations
The General Conference, through the Spirit of Prophecy Committee, works with the White Estate and offers subsidies to Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses worldwide to publish Ellen White books in languages other than English. During the past five years, the subsidies surpassed $300,000 each year, putting hundreds of new translations into the hands of believers.

With more than 1,000 translations in more than 140 languages, Ellen White is one of the most translated authors in the history of literature. More than 60 titles are in each of three languages—Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

To Publish New Compilations
Ellen White requested her trustees to publish new compilations from her unpublished manuscripts. In determining a new compilation, the White Estate takes into consideration the special needs of the church. Some titles released in the past five years are: Ye Shall Receive Power (the 1996 devotional), The Truth About Angels, Daughters of God, and Christ Triumphant (the 2000 devotional).

The White Estate has also sponsored a new publication on the life and ministry of Ellen White for use as a textbook. Messenger of the Lord is a monumental work that reaffirms our confidence in the way the Lord has led us.

The Ellen G. White Estate’s trust deals with sacred responsibilities. Committed to sharing God’s message with the world, the staff of the White Estate travels to almost every land giving courses and seminars, sharing their testimonies in camp meetings and workers’ meetings, and giving lectures. By personal experience they tell how the acceptance of God’s message brings countless blessings in the form of trust, faith, identity, assurance, and confidence in God’s plans for His people.

¹ Selected Messages, book 1, p. 50.
² Ibid., book 3, p. 52.