Messages to Young People

by Ellen Gould White

"Several generations of youth have been nourished by this uncompromising call to duty, purity, and service. The author, who began her ministry when only 17 years of age, invites Seventh-day Adventist youth to examine their reading, dress, music, and social life, and discard cheap amusements that retard spiritual progress. She examines those fundamental traits of character that make for success or failure in the spiritual life, and discusses practical subjects such as home and parents, health, courtship and marriage, and how to recognize true love.

This bracing challenge to honor God with a self-controlled life will inspire many to join the army of dedicated youth who ""climb the shining way,"" who aim to ""stand upon the summit of intellectual greatness"" and serve their God by dreaming dreams."

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Christian, Spirituality

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers. As stated in Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , “The writings of Ellen White are not a substitute for Scripture. They cannot be placed on the same level. The Holy Scriptures stand alone, the unique standard by which her and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington D.C., 1988, p. 227). Yet, as Ellen White herself noted, “The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings” (The Great Controversy, p. vii). The following is a more detailed account of the life and work of this remarkable woman who, meeting all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, helped found the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Reviews

[Lesley-ann James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be at the top of every young person's list of things to read. It is insightful and full of good knowledge and advice about the various things that young people experience and how to avoid them.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of good advises for the young ones so I recommend it.

[Sportylatina19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still in the process of reading it, but it offers daily insight on how to grow to a mature adult in a world full of negative influence.

[Ramon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book relates to what young teen or christains goes through in order to follow steps of Christ. Reading this book opens your mind on how to be a part of God.

[Jelome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical advises for daily living. Conveniently presented by topic.

[Powell Omondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for young Christians, gives a good understanding of the youth journey and how to make good decisions by making Christ the anchor in everything you do in life.

A must read for all young people.

[Curlotte]

My copy was given as a birthday gift by my college best friend and her now-husband. I was grateful for the opportunity to read such book. I cannot say for all readers out there, but if you're actually going to follow the advice in this book, you won't read fiction anymore. Right now, I'm torn between praising and criticizing its contents. Christian youth may find it amazing while atheist may find it somewhat repulsive.

[Marna Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for young people but just as great for ALL ages. The info in this book will prepare youth & all people to be Christlike. An absolute GEM of a book, chockfull of what all of us need to know.

[Danae · Rating 5 out of 5]

EGW wrote this book many years ago, yet it still applies to young people today.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for any person. This Book got me through a lot and helped me greatly in my spiritual journey.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that offers biblical guidance for how to live a Christ-centered life. Great for young and old people!

[Kaligirwa Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy White’s writing but honestly I can’t say I enjoyed this. I think it’s important to have her books as they are and not complied bits a pieces from all random pieces of her texts.

[Eric Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hypergraphia plagiarism due to temporal lobe epilepsy

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains very profitable advice for both young and not so young people. The book, however, can at times feel repetitive but other than that it's a very good book I would recommend.

[Alclint Calib-og · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life changing book! Every youth must read this.

[Canny Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that should be read by every young people!

[Duarte Vizcaino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si no es el mejor, es un general entre ellos, obra maestra para jóvenes que quieren ser grandes, cultos, morales, exitosos en toda área de su vida. Lectura Obligatoria.

[Yaileen Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal para jovenes y conocer mas de lo que Dios quieres hablarles.

[Nathan Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing insights into the thoughts of a spiritually endowed woman... This book covers a very large range of topics, and I have enjoyed what she's had to say. I have also applied many of her principles to my life, and they have had a positive impact. I don't recommend reading this book for long periods of time, as there is a lot of content oh, and I think that people need time to process the information. Overall a good read, and I would recommend it. my main gripe is that not everything seems to be scripturally based, though nearly all of it is. I wish that citations would be easier to find.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advice for christian youth

[Moises R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virtues for the youth's.
Valores para los jovenes.