Lets try to outline in a summary what we have discovered so far. After Satan's failure to take the life of Gods messenger, with the intention to prevent the writing down of The Great Controversy vision received at Lovett's Grove, the enemy of all righteousness continued to work, trying to block the way, so that the light will not go to the intended recipients. He succeeded to overburden the prophet and also Gods servant, appointed by Him to work in connection with the prophet, and in this way he diverted them from the mission they were especially called to into many others cares and perplexities. All these were about to cost James life and when he finally decided to drop down some of his burdens he made the mistake of dropping down exactly the burden which God has placed on him, while continuing to carry on with the burdens which his brothers should have taken upon their shoulders. He, the one who was supposed to write and publish, to make available everywhere to light from the Lord, handed over to a Board the responsibility of publishing. How serious that mistake was it came out more clearly later on, after the death of James White, as told by the prophet who was by than left alone to face this situation:

"I was made to feel keenly how little safety there would be in leaving my brethren to bear my responsibility." {1888 1236.1} (1894).

Unconsecrated people were used as Satan's agents to take over the publishing work, while this should have been Gods channel to diffuse the light from the testimony of Jesus everywhere.

... But that was not all. Satan continued to work in order to gain control not only of what was supposed to be the channel of light, but of the inspired writings themselves. His financial schemes were a major tool which he used in order to accomplish this:

     I have been made sick at heart at this management. I must believe that you would not have done this if you had only known the situation. I am now able to understand more perfectly the light given me when my husband was so feeble in Greenville, Michigan. That was the beginning of divine directions concerning means. I was shown that the Lord would have my husband and myself independent of all our institutions, in financial matters. Our brethren would make many plans to gain control of the profits from our books and other publications, but we must keep the means to use as the Lord directed us. We could understand the wants of the cause better than others; God would teach us how to dispose of the means. He would bring into our possession to be used to his own name's glory. Again, at a later date, cautions were repeated, that since my husband's death propositions would be made in regard to our books and publications that the profits should be under the control of one organization. But I was warned not to shift the responsibility of my stewardship upon any institution or organization; when I should see the needs of the cause in its various branches, then I must act, even though my brethren did not discern the necessity as I saw it. If I called upon men in responsible positions, even for the means which God has intrusted to me, unless they themselves were in a condition to understand the wants of the cause as they were presented before me and urged upon me, these brethren would give counsel to divert that means into other channels. This is why I did not feel free to accept the proposition that I should assign the royalty on my books. I could not conscientiously do so. When after the Minneapolis meeting, the canvassing agents in the field so managed the work that my books fell nearly dead from the press, and when I endeavored to draw means from the publishing house at Battle Creek, and was informed that I had over-drawn my account, and could have no more money, I was made to feel keenly how little safety there would be in leaving my brethren to bear my responsibility. God knows all about this matter. I have had sufficient experience to teach me what I can depend on from my brethren.  {1888 1236.1}   

I don't know if we realize that, in the light of the paragraph quoted above, such an institution as White Estate doesn't bear Gods unction. Anyhow we are reading EGW's writings as they are released by White Estate. Compilations, books edited and over-edited, with many deletions and additions, are published under EGW's name. In other words, Satan succeeded to corrupt the published works, thus making of no effect the testimonies from the Spirit of God (one of the ways of doing that).

Though William White fought for a while to keep the inspired manuscripts free from the control of the General Conference, they finally managed to take over, and that because of the financial constraints. I don't have clear evidence but I suspect that the financial debts were one of the reasons why Willy White accepted the changes made in her mothers books. The royalty from such books were supposed to cover those debts. Apparently, it didn't really work.

To all these I would add a fourth step made by the devil in his attack: in order to make all the additions in EGW writings accepted, he used agents such as Arthur White and others to misinterpret how the prophetic gift works. On the other hand, he used other of his agents to accuse EGW of plagiarism and use this as evidence against her calling as prophet.

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.  Deuteronomy 8:3

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

So I believe that every word in the Bible is God's.

Same goes with Ellen White (when under inspiration).

I give the words from the Bible showing that they are from God, and you still aren't sure?

But that is very interesting about Uriah Smith being "God's pen man".  Can you give the quote for that?

Thank you.

U. Smith

"The statement is made, 'I know her works are not inspired; for I have seen manuscripts revised for the press. She quotes sometimes from history; are all historians inspired?' . . . But who has ever claimed that her words were inspired? Where or when has such a thing ever been intimated?" {ND UrS, QUAN 1.2}

Regarding this statement one questioner wrote: "Is not a word a sign of an idea? how then can an idea be inspired, and the signs that transfer the idea be uninspired?" To this Elder Smith replied in the issue for March 13, 1888: {ND UrS, QUAN 1.3}

"If there was but one word by which an idea could be expressed, this would be so; but when there are perhaps a hundred ways of expressing the same idea, the case becomes very different. Of course, if the Holy Spirit should give a person words to write, he would be obliged to use those very words without change; but when simply a scene or view is presented before a person, and no language is given, he would be at liberty to describe it in his own words, as might seem best to him to express the truth in the case. And, if having written it out once, a better way of expressing it should occur to him, it would be perfectly legitimate for him to scratch out all he had written, and write it over again, keeping strictly to the ideas and facts which had been shown him. And in the second writing there would be the divinely communicated idea just as much as in the first, while neither case could it be said that the words employed were dictated by the Holy Spirit, but were left to the judgement of the individual himself. {ND UrS, QUAN 1.4}

I don't take her use of the words "dictated by the Holy Ghost" in a strictly formal and literal way, but that's just my opinion. It really comes down to how one interprets "inspiration".

Was Martin Luther inspired? Sister White speaks of angels at his side. Was William Miller inspired? Again, we have counsel about the angels visiting and opening Father Millers mind to the truth. When asked if our pioneers were "inspired" in their writings, and this would include Uriah Smith, her comment was that she "dare not" say they weren't! But she noted, they weren't inspired in the strictest sense. We know, for instance, Father Miller made mistakes, didn't accept the Sabbath and had other issues, yet I have no doubt he was "Gods penman", as was Luther.

But she noted that any one who may be Gods penman, Gods appointed "man of the hour" if you would, could err if he/she was not completely in harmony with God at any given time. In such a case he/she would weave into the work his/her own views. Even prophets are subject to this basic law of God. Nathan erred when he told David to build the temple, he spoke without first consulting the Lord. Prophets are held to a much higher standard than those men whom God may choose at any given time to be His penman. This is why Ellen White was very careful to say nothing, to write nothing, unless she had specific light on the subject.

Jones and Waggoner were certainly chosen of God for a special mission, to address the legalism trap the Church had fallen into. To bring in  a balancing view of righteousness by faith, to expand Paul's views on the law. And James, fearing Paul had taken the subject to far, balanced Paul's view with the necessity of the law. In the end, Jones, Waggoner and even Smith made substantial mistakes. There was a time when their counsel could not be trusted, but I won't throw out David's biblical work because there was a time when HIS counsel could not be trusted either!

There has always been, always will be, a certain "tension" in spiritual truth. Which is it, faith or works? It is both of course, but one must constantly seek the proper balance. And that balance is different for you than it is for me. At any given time, place or circumstance. What appears to be "sin" to you, may not be "sin" to me! Open sin, no question violations of the law are in a different category, open sin must be dealt with by the Church if it reaches a certain level.

I have faith that Uriah Smiths counsel, posted by NB, is accurate and "inspired" counsel in this case. James Whites counsel must also be considered in similar light, he wasn't inspired, in the strictest sense, but he to was Gods pen man!

a confession Prescott made in a letter he wrote to W.C. White, dated April 6, 1915:

I have noted what you have said about your mother's condition, although you neglected to enclose the statement which you mentioned. When I see these early believers, like your mother, my father, and Elder Olsen passing away so rapidly, and then think of how little has really been accomplished in seriously warning the whole world of the impending second advent, I am led to wonder whether any of us now connected with this movement will, after all, live to see the consummation. It is a serious question.

It seems to me that a large responsibility rests upon those of us who know that there are serious errors in our authorized books and yet make no special effort to correct them. The people and our average ministers trust us to furnish them with reliable statements, and they use our books as sufficient authority in their sermons, but we let them go on year after year asserting things which we know to be untrue. I cannot feel that this is right. It seems to me that we are betraying our trust and deceiving the ministers and people. It appears to me that there is much more anxiety to prevent a possible shock to some trustful people than to correct error.

Your letter indicates a desire on your part to help me, but I fear that it is a little late. The experience of the last six or eight years, and especially the things concerning which I talked with you, have had their effect on me in several ways. I have had some hard shocks to get over, and after giving the best of my life to this movement, I have little peace and satisfaction in connection with it, and I am driven to the conclusion that the only thing for me to do is to do quietly what I can do conscientiously and leave the others to go on without me. Of course this [is] far from a happy ending to my life-work, but this seams to be the best adjustment that I am able to make. The way your mother's writings have been handled and the false impressions concerning them, which is still fostered among the people, have brought great perplexity and trial to me. It seems to me that what amounts to deception, though probably not intentional, has been practiced in making some of her books, and that no serious effort has been made to disabuse the minds of the people of what was known to be their wrong view concerning her writings.

But it is no use to go into these matters. I have talked with you for years about them but it brings no change. I think, however, that we are drifting toward a crisis which will come sooner or later and perhaps sooner. A very strong feeling of reaction has already set in. 

http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Prescott-Lt.html#Prescott%20Letter%20of%20April%206

studies, check this out...

This reality transpires also from the minutes of the 1919 Bible Conferences:

A. G. Daniells: Well, now, which statement shall we take, the original or the revised?

B. L. House: My real difficulty is just here: Sister White did not write either the old edition or the revised, as I understand it.

A. G. Daniells: What do you mean by saying that she did not write either edition?

B. L. House: As I understand it, Elder J. N. Anderson prepared those historical quotations for the old edition, and Brother Robinson and Brother Crisler, Professor Prescott and others furnished the quotations for the new edition. Did she write the historical quotations in there?

A. G. Daniells: No.

http://sdanet.org/atissue/books/1919bc/0801-1919bc.htm

And here is again Prescott speaking:

W. W. Prescott: You are touching exactly the experience through which I went, personally, because you all know that I contributed something toward the revision of "Great Controversy." I furnished considerable material bearing upon that question.

A. G. Daniells: By request.

W. W. Prescott: Yes, I was asked to do it, and at first I said, "No, I will not do it. I know what it means." But I was urged into it. When I had gone over it with W. C. White, then I said, "Here is my difficulty. I have gone over this and suggested changes that ought to be made in order to correct statements. These changes have been accepted. My personal difficulty will be to retain faith on those things that I can not deal with on that basis." But I did not throw up the spirit of prophecy, and have not yet; but I have had to adjust my view of things. I will say to you, as a matter of fact, that the relation of those writings to this movement and to our work, is clearer and more consistent in my mind than it was then. But still you know what I am charged with. I have gone through the personal experience myself over that very thing that you speak of. If we correct it here and correct it there, how are we going to stand with it in the other places?

And now, guess what was one of the major sources of inspiration for the latter editions of GC?

W. W. Prescott: I do not want to charge anybody. But I do think great mistakes were made in that way. That is why I have made a distinction as I have. When I talked with W. C. White about it (and I do not know that he is an infallible authority), he told me frankly that when they got out "Great Controversy," if they did not find in her writings anything on certain chapters to make the historical connections, they took other books, like "Daniel and the Revelation," and used portions of them; and sometimes her secretaries, and sometimes she herself, would prepare a chapter that would fill the gap.

Do not state anything I have told you personally in regard to the matter of change in books.  {Lt104-1899 (August 1, 1899) par. 8}

This is in a letter written to S.N. Haskell. Considering the stand that he took later on such issues as inspiration, ...

The Bible was hated, and efforts were made to rid the earth of the precious word of God. The Bible was forbidden to be read on pain of death, and all the copies of the holy Book which could be found were burned. But I saw that God had a special care for his word. He protected it. At different periods there were but a very few copies of the Bible in existence, yet God would not suffer his word to be lost. And in the last days, copies of the Bible were to be so multiplied that every family could possess it. I saw that when there were but a very few copies of the Bible, it was precious and comforting to the persecuted followers of Jesus. It was read in the most secret manner, and those who had this exalted privilege felt that they had had an interview with God, with his Son Jesus, and with his disciples. But this blessed privilege cost many of them their lives. If discovered, they were taken from reading the sacred Word to the chopping block, the stake, or to the dungeon to die from starvation.  {1SG 109.1}  

Some people will not believe, though one rose from the dead. The bible, or the SOP. Compilation or original works. But not one sincere seeker of truth will be led astray by the minor mistakes found through incorrect interpretations, punctuation, wording, in any language, of the bible, or the SOP. I recognize that not all of these apparent mistakes are actually mistakes, they are crafted and executed on purpose. Some by those who knowingly seek to mislead others, and some by sincerely mistaken editors who think they are doing Gods work.

No matter what, some will always lean toward seeing the prophetess as merely stating her own opinions or questioning the bible for many and varied reasons. Recognizing the reality that there are mistakes, minor ones in the bible and the SOP, in our published articles, tracts, pamphlets, etc. is just being honest. Even the prophets were not infallible, no, not one. And some, recognizing this truth, magnify it, use it to cast doubt on the inspired writings and cause others to doubt as well. This, God has allowed, I don't know why, I just accept it.

I believe every word is inspired, but I don't believe every word is formally and exactly dictated, in every case. I allow room for formal and exacting dictation in some cases. Like Balaam for example and Saul as well, there are other examples of dictation in the strictest sense. But I'm OK with those who may see it a different way or believe the inspired writings, every word, is dictated in the strictest sense. David wrote many wonderful songs, as recorded in the Psalms. I leave room for David exercising his God given gift of song writing without God specifically telling him every word to write. Above all, David was "inspired" by his love for, his experience with victory and defeat, his life's experiences in learning about God. At some point, David would be little more than a robot if every word was merely dictated.

that was me by the way, nb

back to the topic of the thread as we have digressed a bit:

This is in a letter written to S.N. Haskell. Considering the stand that he took later on such issues as inspiration, 

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1997/08/the-case-of-the-overlooked-postscript

I had no rest in spirit in the house of Brother Uriah. I have left the house saying to myself, It is a godless house. I have seen no less than four evil angels controlling members of the family. {Lt3-1869 (April 23, 1869) par. 12}

The powers of darkness are at work and are brought to bear more upon those who are engaged in advancing the interests of Gods cause. Satan will come in at every avenue, every spot that is not guarded. There will always be a work to do to defend the right and to condemn the wrong. I saw that Brother Smiths mind had been molded by his past experience in his connection with Sister Smith, that his sense of wrong is not acute. Satan would plant his hellish banner in his own house and in the office and he not perceive it, but think it was the banner of the cross of Christ. Brother Smiths position has been a defective one. God wants men who have spiritual eyesight, or they are good for nothing in His cause. {Lt10-1873 (May 14, 1873) par. 23}

Oop's the above post was of course, "Studies Prophecy".

...but ya'll knew that already. :)

Holy Spirit dictated = 17 SOP hits

Words Dictated by the Holy Spirit.--I speak to the workers, young and old, who are handling our books, and especially to those who are canvassing for the book that is now doing its errand of mercy: [CHRIST'S OBJECT LESSONS.] Exemplify in the life the lessons given by Christ in His Sermon on the Mount. This will make a deeper impression, and have a more lasting influence upon minds, than will the sermons given from the pulpit. You may not be able to speak eloquently to those you desire to help; but if you speak modestly, hiding self in Christ, your words will be dictated by the Holy Spirit; and Christ, with whom you are cooperating, will impress the heart. {PM 302.2}

The lives recorded in the Bible are authentic histories of actual individuals. From Adam down through successive generations to the times of the apostles we have a plain, unvarnished account of what actually occurred and the genuine experience of real characters. It is a subject of wonder to many that inspired history should narrate in the lives of good men facts that tarnish their moral characters. Infidels seize upon these sins with great satisfaction and hold their perpetrators up to ridicule. The inspired writers did not testify to falsehoods to prevent the pages of sacred history being clouded by the record of human frailties and faults. The scribes of God wrote as they were dictated by the Holy Spirit, having no control of the work themselves. They penned the literal truth, and stern, forbidding facts are revealed for reasons that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend. {4T 9.1}

It is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures that the truth is not glossed over nor the sins of its chief characters suppressed. Many will urge that it is an easy matter to relate what has occurred in an ordinary life. But it is a proved fact that it is a human impossibility to give an impartial history of a contemporary; and it is almost as difficult to narrate, without deviating from the exact truth, the story of any person or people with whose career we have become acquainted. The human mind is so subject to prejudice that it is almost impossible for it to treat the subject impartially. Either the faults of the person under review stand out in glaring relief, or his virtues shine with undimmed luster, just as the writer is prejudiced for or against him. However impartial the historian may design to be, all critics will agree that it is a very difficult matter to be truly so. {4T 9.2}

But divine unction, lifted above the weaknesses of humanity, tells the simple, naked truth. How many biographies have been written of faultless Christians, who, in their ordinary home life and church relations, shone as examples of immaculate piety. No blemish marred the beauty of their holiness, no fault is recorded to remind us that they were common clay and subject to the ordinary temptations of humanity. Yet had the pen of inspiration written their histories, how different would they have appeared. There would have been revealed human weaknesses, struggles with selfishness, bigotry, and pride, hidden sins perhaps, and the continual warfare between the spirit and the flesh. Even private journals do not reveal on their pages the writer's sinful deeds. Sometimes the conflicts with evil are recorded, but usually only when the right has gained the victory. But they may contain a faithful account of praiseworthy acts and noble endeavors; this, too, when the writer honestly intends to keep a faithful journal of his life. It is next to a human impossibility to lay open our faults for the possible inspection of our friends. {4T 10.1}

Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would have presented quite a different appearance and would have been a discouraging study to erring mortals, who are contending with natural frailties and the temptations of a wily foe. But as it is, we have a correct record of the religious experiences of marked characters in Bible history. Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sins, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. But it is encouraging to our desponding hearts

to know that through God's grace they could gain fresh vigor to again rise above their evil natures; and, remembering this, we are ready to renew the conflict ourselves. {4T 10.2}

The murmurings of ancient Israel and their rebellious discontent, as well as the mighty miracles wrought in their favor and the punishment of their idolatry and ingratitude, are recorded for our benefit. The example of ancient Israel is given as a warning to the people of God, that they may avoid unbelief and escape His wrath. If the iniquities of the Hebrews had been omitted from the Sacred Record, and only their virtues recounted, their history would fail to teach us the lesson that it does. {4T 11.1}

Infidels and lovers of sin excuse their crimes by citing the wickedness of men to whom God gave authority in olden times. They argue that if these holy men yielded to temptation and committed sins, it is not to be wondered at that they, too, should be guilty of wrongdoing; and intimate that they are not so bad after all, since they have such illustrious examples of iniquity before them. {4T 11.2}

The principles of justice required a faithful narration of facts for the benefit of all who should ever read the Sacred Record. Here we discern the evidences of divine wisdom. We are required to obey the law of God, and are not only instructed as to the penalty of disobedience, but we have narrated for our benefit and warning the history of Adam and Eve in Paradise, and the sad results of their disobedience of God's commands. The account is full and explicit. The law given to man in Eden is recorded, together with the penalty accruing in case of its disobedience. Then follows the story of the temptation and fall, and the punishment inflicted upon our erring parents. Their example is given us as a warning against disobedience, that we may be sure that the wages of sin is death, that God's retributive justice never fails, and that He exacts from His creatures a strict regard for His commandments. When the law was proclaimed at Sinai, how definite was the penalty annexed, how sure was punishment to follow the transgression of that law, and how plain are the cases recorded in evidence of that fact! {4T 11.3}

The pen of inspiration, true to its task, tells us of the sins that overcame Noah, Lot, Moses, Abraham, David, and Solomon, and that even Elijah's strong spirit sank under temptation during his fearful trial. Jonah's disobedience and Israel's idolatry are faithfully recorded. Peter's denial of Christ, the sharp contention of Paul and Barnabas, the failings and infirmities of the prophets and apostles, are all laid bare by the Holy Ghost, who lifts the veil from the human heart. There before us lie the lives of the believers, with all their faults and follies, which are intended as a lesson to all the generations following them. If they had been without foible they would have been more than human, and our sinful natures would despair of ever reaching such a point of excellence. But seeing where they struggled and fell, where they took heart again and conquered through the grace of God, we are encouraged, and led to press over the obstacles that degenerate nature places in our way. {4T 12.1}

God has ever been faithful to punish crime. He sent His prophets to warn the guilty, denounce their sins, and pronounce judgment upon them. Those who question why the word of God brings out the sins of His people in so plain a manner for scoffers to deride and saints to deplore, should consider that it was all written for their instruction, that they may avoid the evils recorded and imitate only the righteousness of those who served the Lord. {4T 12.2}

With what fidelity do these words portray the present condition of the church: "Knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Messages of warning, dictated by the Holy Spirit, are borne by the servants of God, defects of character are presented before the erring; but they say: "That does not represent my case. I do not accept the message you bring. I am doing the best I can. I believe the truth." {5T 101.4}

what to write = 18 SOP hits

The revelation of Christ to John is a wonderful, dignified, exalted, solemn message. To present this message with decided emphasis, demands all the talents of capabilities that God has given to men. When John received it, He was worked [upon] by the Holy Spirit, for Christ Himself came from heaven and told him what to write. {UL 310.5}

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

divers manners means multiple or several manners or ways. For example symbols, types, dreams, visions, audibly, inspiring the mind, dictating or telling what to write, personally writing with Own finger, speaking in Person, etc .  

Studies, you wrote: "she recognized those words as being dictated to those other authors as verily from the throne of God."

To me, that is getting pretty close to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.

The facts of the matter are, as far as we know, only one person since the days of John have been inspired in the sense that their words were given by God.

Of course I realize that God can breathe his Spirit on pastors and workers etc. yet, in the special sense of being God's spokesperson, only Ellen White has done that in the last 1900 years or so.

The truth about the changes to the SOP are very mysterious, and underhanded, same as with most all of Satan's actions.

The facts are that no one was authorized to change a single word in what Ellen White wrote, but the committee in 1883 publicly stated in the Review that they were going to "remove the imperfections in the books".  That should be a huge red flag of warning to anyone who loves God's words. 

Were you aware that the 1888 Great Controversy says that the Roman Catholic Church is not part of Babylon, but the 1911 edition says it is?

That's because they got ideas and responses from many people to change the books, and Prescott's ideas were often integrated into the 1911 book.

Please read the entire 1919 Bible Conference minutes to find out what the main point under discussion became.