February 18. 2002

General Conference President,
General Conference Officers,
Adventist Leadership Worldwide
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904

Dear Leading Brethren:

The purpose of this special communication is to express to you, in writing, my great concerns and regrets over the tremendous issues involved in the last court case of the General Conference vs. the Florida Perez groups of Sabbath-keeping believers in the third angels message. I have been under deep conviction to deal with these matters for several months now. Although I did need sufficient time to gather pertinent information concerning this case in order to formulate a clearer appraisal of what has transpired, I regret not having appealed to you sooner in view of the common peril we are in as a people because of your decisions and actions.

On the one side is standing the General Conference, representing the entire denomination--the plaintiff On the other have stood the defendants--a group of at least three little churches in southern Florida (West Palm Beach and Miami) known as the Eternal Gospel SDA Church. Quite frankly, I have been deeply disturbed by the actions taken against brother Perez and his Adventist church congregations. I am compelled to approach you out of a deep sense of accountability to my Lord, to the church at large, and to the leadership of the church in general. It is very painful and fearful to have to state, as I know others have already pointed out to you, that your course of action has and is still standing in clear, blatant, and direct opposition to the expressed counsel of God.

For the record, I want to refer you to 1 Corinthians 6:1-7. Obviously you are well aware of this passage. It has also been brought to your attention repeatedly. "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 1 speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?"

I must first address this issue: What led you to feel it was the proper thing to do, to trademark the name "Seventh-day Adventist"? In referring to an article written by Tom Wetmore in the Adventist Review, Jan. 12, 1989, a committee was apparently set up to clear up confusion about using the law to protect the churchs name. The question was asked, "Is it true that the General Conference has federally registered trademarks for the name 'Seventh-day Adventist, and various programs of our Church?" The answer in response to his question was, "Yes, the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, on behalf of the entire denomination, has registered under the United States trademark laws the name 'Seventh-day Adventist.... "(Emphasis supplied.)

Since, as the article states, this was done "on behalf of the entire denomination," and since the facts seem to indicate that the application to trademark the name was done at least five years before you began implementing it, why wasn't the entire constituency given ample opportunity to know and evaluate whether you, as representatives, were proceeding according to the word of the Lord? How disconcerting that such a thing could have been done!

I am a third generation Adventist and have been a student missionary through Andrews University. I have attended other Adventist universities and institutions, and although I had been to so many Adventist churches up and down the breadth of this country, was yet completely ignorant of what had taken place until it was my great surprise to find the GC trademark policy and lawsuits staring me squarely in the face. To make matters worse, the evidence has surfaced that you have been using the Lords sacred tithe monies to finance these unscriptural lawsuits. What a shock! What a shame!

Do you realize where this has led us as a denomination? Ellen White clearly reveals what would be the result if the church should go to the law for support. Notice 11 Manuscript Releases (MR): 218, "You who are engaged in opening the things connected with our work to lawyers, will realize that those who trust the things connected with our work to those who know not God, will be left to trust to the law, and will have all the law they want until their souls are satisfied. God will not be their Counselor." Did you ever stop to ponder what it would mean to move forward in this matter without God as your counselor? Note also Mount of Blessing (MB): 127, "Christ does not drive but draws men unto Him. The only compulsion which He employs is the constraint of love. When the church be2ins to seek for the support of secular power it is evident that she is devoid of the power of Christ--the constraint of divine love." How could our church leadership not have seen the grave implications of what it would mean for the church to seek the support of the state in this matter? How could church leaders not have grasped all that is comprehended in the statement above in moving in this direction of seeking the support of the secular power?

The next issue I wish to address is the conferences classification of the Perez group as "unbelievers." It is incredible that so many church members today have to grapple to understand the policy you have developed of arbitrarily classifying other Seventh-day Adventist brethren, who are clearly believers in the three angels messages, under the pretended heading of "unbelievers." This whole matter leaves one with the distinct impression that you have never before taken the time to prayerfully study the whole section in Testimonies to Ministers (TM): 279-505, and especially TM: 300. Throughout this extensive section, one runs over and over again, into explicit warnings to conference leadership to not follow "in the track of Romanism," to not follow the "rule-or-ruin system," to not "lord it over Gods heritage," and to set aside "the spirit of domination." The workers, on the other hand, are not only counseled to positively work in harmony, but to "not make flesh their arm," to "not look to finite man for wisdom," to "cease ye from man," and to "break every yoke." In view of the overwhelming counsel to lead the church in strict harmony with these divine principles, your continued pursuit of a divergent and perilous course is indeed astounding. How could the General Conference have possibly come up with such trademark and litigation policies? Did you honestly come to believe that such policies would bear the stamp of Gods approval? How could such decisions possibly bear the test of Biblical and Spirit of Prophecy scrutiny?

At this point it is worthy to remember the counsel of July 1895, "Those who know the truth are to be worked by the Holy Spirit, and not themselves to try to work the Spirit. If the cords are drawn much tighter, if the rules are made much finer, if men continue to bind their fellow-laborers closer and closer to the commandments of men, many will be stirred by the Spirit of God to break every shackle, and assert their liberty in Christ Jesus." Review and Herald (RH): July 23, 1895. Sober thought, isnt it? Can you see that your policies have been heavily instrumental in unwittingly fostering the development of independent trends in modern Adventist history?

Included in these policies is the intriguing practice of disfellowshiping brethren for working independent of conference control, even though these brethren have neither given up the principles of our faith, nor placed themselves out of harmony with true Adventist doctrine. Furthermore, the fact that some have been disfellowshiped is consequently used as a rationalization for considering them "unbelievers," taking them to court, and then suing them under trademark protection laws.

An e-mail correspondence, dated March 4, 2001, was brought to my attention in which Alan J. Reinach, Esq., Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was answering questions and concerns posed by Bettie Belmain. He responded with the amazing statement, "Eternal Gospel folks are not Adventists. They have been reasoned with, and do not wish to work in harmony with the church. Whether the lawsuit is a good idea is an open question. Has the church followed Biblical counsel, Matthew 18, etc., yes. They are being treated as unbelievers. Nor is this a religious liberty issue. They can do whatever they want, they just cant steal our church name which doesn't belong to them."

Okay, lets get serious here. Who truly are the "unbelievers"? What does Inspiration say? "The world and unconverted church members are in sympathy. Some when God reproves them for wanting their own way, make the world their confidence, and bring church matters before the world for decision. Then there is collision and strife, and Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame. Those church members who appeal to the courts of the world show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and their names are registered in heaven as one with unbelievers. How eagerly the world seizes the statements of those who betray sacred trusts!" 3 Selected Messages (SM): 302, 303. There are at least four salient issues here. A) Christ has been "crucified afresh and put to open shame" through the trademark litigations. B) By appealing to the courts of the world our Adventist leadership has chosen the world, in our behalf as our judge. C)The names of those doing the suing (the leaders supporting these litigation policies) are the ones that are really registered in heaven as "one with unbelievers." D) Sacred trusts have been betrayed. Alan J. Reinach needs to be reminded of the fact that this is a name that was given to Gods faithful Sabbath-keeping remnant people by the Lord Himself. (Please see 2SM: 384.)

If you had really believed, brethren, that the Eternal Gospel congregations were not Adventists, why would the GC lawyers, after you won in court, then turn around and propose to the Perez lawyers that it would now be permissible for the Perez group to be allowed to use the name Seventh-day Adventist as an explanation in the second line of their title? Is this not highly manipulative? It most certainly is! The irony is that after this shameful and grievous court battle, and after all the time spent and sacred tithe monies used, brother Perez and his congregations are still being permitted to call themselves "Seventh-day Adventist" as a second line explanation in smaller print. What an incredibly compromising settlement! It provides shocking and revealing disclosure that you well knew that these brethren were still "Adventists" after all. Additionally perplexing was the evidence provided by some independent publications that towards the beginning of the trial, the Catholic judge had pleaded with you to try to settle out of court on the basis of 1 Corinthians 6. This, your representative lawyers refused to accept, in obvious harmony with your instructions and plans. The public reproach brought upon our church was compounded by the fact that this case involved a religious dispute.

I trust that you must be well aware of the fact that when ancient Israel appealed to Caesars jurisdiction in the case of Christs trial, they actually "unchurched themselves" and withdrew from the theocracy. "They cried out for the crucifixion of Christ and, as representatives of the Jewish nation, placed themselves under the Roman jurisdiction, which they despised, by saying, 'We have no king but Caesar. When they said this, they unchurched themselves." 12MR: 388. (See also Desire of Ages [DA]: 737, 738; 5 Bible Commentary [BC]: 1149.) Notice the tremendous implication. The decision of the leadership becomes the decision of the body.

"I have written largely in regard to Christians who believe the truth placing their cases in courts of law to obtain redress. In doing this, they are biting and devouring one another in every sense of the word, 'to be consumed one of another. They cast aside the inspired counsel God has given, and in the face of the message He gives they do the very thing He has told them not to do. Such men may as well stop praying to God, for He will not hear their prayers. They insult Jehovah, and He will leave them to become the subjects of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sins...." 3SM: 302. There are at least two fearful issues standing out in the foregoing statement: First, regarding those who take their brethren to court, God will no longer hear their prayers. Second, Jehovah has been insulted, and unless there is a seeking of the Lord by confession, the Lord will leave them to become the subjects of Satan. Can you honestly believe that this does not apply to your case? I again want to remind you of the grave implications of this warning.

Dear Brother Jan Paulsen, you were elected General Conference president in the wake of the painful circumstances involving the demise of Pastor Robert S. Folkenberg's presidency, due to his involvement in a shameful financial scandal mounting to millions of dollars. Upon your ascendancy to your position as president of the General Conference, one of the first issues you must have surely had to face was the already ongoing GC lawsuit against the Florida churches of Adventist believers. Fundamentally, this terrible lawsuit was initially started through Catholic attorney Vincent L. Ramik's "cease and desist" letter to the Perez group dated March 17, 1998, presenting Walter E. Carsons (a current GC in-house attorney supervising the trademark lawsuits) instructions, on behalf of Robert S. Folkenberg and the GC. It is not surprising that instead of standing up against this most unfortunate development, Elder Folkenberg actually promoted it, in view of the fact that he had also failed to stand up against the terrible celebration-style worship abomination. This latter tragic apostasy, as you well know, had been started under ex-GC President Neal C. Wilson, and it is still on the rampage being promoted by the North American Division and inflicting great harm upon Adventist congregations nationwide. This false, Pentecostal-style worship intrusion into our churches, was also foreseen and condemned by the Lords Prophet in the strongest terms as an ominous sign of the end time we are living in. (See 25M: 36.)

But getting back to you, Elder Paulsen, the question logically follows; why have you, in turn, also failed to stand firmly against this blatant violation of Bible and Spirit of Prophecy counsel? It is no wonder that Sister White was shown in 1903 that, "The greatest want of the world is the want of men--men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the ri2ht thou2h the heavens fall." Education (Ed): 57. Can you see, Elder, that you have not stood like that?

You wrote the book, "When the Spirit Descends." Did you honestly come to believe that our organized Seventh-day Adventist church could openly and publicly disregard the word of the Lord concerning unbiblical litigation, as presented in the clearest and most fearful warnings of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, and still be worthy and fit for the great outpouring of His Spirit? Oh! Dear brother Paulsen, notice the forcefulness of the Prophets injunction, "Matters have been presented before me that have filled my soul with keen anguish. I saw men linking up arm in arm with lawyers, but God was not in their company. Havin2 many ideas regarding the work, they go to the lawyers for help to carry out their plans. I am commissioned to say to such that they are not moving under the inspiration of the Spirit of God." 8 Testimonies (T): 69. This statement is so astounding that it virtually leaves you with the mental picture that the Prophet of the Lord actually saw so many of you, leading men and women, doing just what you have done in this whole lawsuit experience. This is even brought to view in a clearer manner in the following paragraph," 'Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? 2 Kings 1:3. Men in responsible positions are uniting with those in the church and out of the church, whose counsel is misleading. Is it necessary for the Lord to come to you with a rod to show you that you need a higher experience before you can be fitted for connection with the family above?" 8T: 69. This testimony is dated June 8, 1898.

There is another inspired principle that is quite relevant in this case. This is the principle of 1 Corinthians 10:11, "Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." It is also found in Signs of the Times (ST): January 13, of the same year 1898, and it states, "The Prophets of God spoke less for their own time than for the ages to come, and especially for the generation that would live amid the last scenes of this earths history." By applying this principle to Ellen Whites writings themselves, we would have to conclude that what she wrote in 1898, is particularly more relevant to this most sad violation of principle that you have committed a hundred years later during this turn of the century. Notice carefully the present day applicability of this counsel from the Lords Prophet, This action, of appealing to human courts, never before entered into by Seventh-day Adventists, has now been done. God has permitted this that you who have been deceived may understand what power is controlling those who have had entrusted to them great responsibilities. Where are Gods sentinels? Where are the men who will stand shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, with the truth, present truth for this time, in possession of the heart?" 3SM: 303.

I have been praying that you will see how this warning applies with increasing force to you at this end time period than when it was first written, for you have now entered into these lawsuits in plain disregard of the serious warnings, especially under the abominable trademark policy you have instituted. The expression "you who have been deceived," is peculiarly applicable today, to the masses of misinformed and unaware believers, whom you have misled into thinking that you have done no wrong in this matter.

What a marvel this is! How many clear, God-given entreaties and warnings does it take before our dear, leading brethren, whom I am regretfully having to address in this manner, can see that the whole counsel of God has been set at naught, rationalized and rejected through human reasonings that are not founded on faith and divine inspiration? In all Gods dealings with Ancient Israel, can you point out, Pastor Paulsen, even one instance, where God has witnessed the fact that His counsels have been sidestepped and rejected, then proceeded to ignore the rejection, and still stooped down and abundantly blessed Israel in spite of it? I am sure you are aware that the answer is an absolute, never! Does the inspired record reveal that God is committed to blessing unfaithfulness? Alas! It reveals, rather, that God will always punish unconfessed and unforsaken iniquity. It reveals, furthermore, that notwithstanding the repentance of the children of Israel, they were still forced to face the inevitable consequences of disregarding light. Please consider the following, "There is no middle path to Paradise restored. The message given to man for these last days is not to become amalgamated with human devising. We are not to lean upon the policy of worldly lawyers.... God will not be mocked. A departure from Him has been and always will be followed by its sure results. The commission of acts that displease God will, unless decidedly repented of and forsaken, instead of seeking to justify them, lead the evildoer on step by step in deception, till many sins are committed with impunity." Upward Look (UL): 310.

Pay special attention also to the seriousness of this warning, "I have been shown that God here illustrates how He regards sin among those who profess to be His commandmentkeeping people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard His express directions, will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded." 3T: 265.

I wish to now specifically address you, Brother Calvin B. Rock, for you have not only been a general vice-president of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church for a very long time, but you have been quite vocal because of your unique position, in defending the trademark policy, and are well aware of General Conference lawsuits against other Adventists over the use of the name. I wish to say to you that the whole idea of invoking the support of the state to protect the so-called "good name of the church" is a totally unbiblical idea. Please remember that Christ made Himself vulnerable for the sake of mans salvation and that we, the church, the body of Christ, must also be willing to become vulnerable for the sake of bringing the good news of salvation to humanity. I here plead with you to behold the clarity of the following denunciation, "Christians should not appeal to civil tribunals to settle differences that may arise among church members. Such differences should be settled among themselves, or by the church, in harmony with Christs instruction. Even though injustice may have been done, the follower of the meek and lowly Jesus will suffer himself 'to be defrauded rather than open before the world the sins of his brethren in the church. Lawsuits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of truth. Christians who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are wounding Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the church, they show contempt for God, who gave to the church its authority." Acts of the Apostles (AA): 305, 306.

Notice carefully the vividness of the principles invoked in the above italicized and other connected sentences. The first sobering thought that seems to stand out is found in the bolded statement about "Christians who go to law with one another." Here in AA: 304-307, the Lords servant is pointing out the underlying principle as fundamentally laid out in 1 Corinthians 6:1-10, that we are not to take other Christians to worldly courts, but should rather seek church mediation. Note well, that in this Biblical passage the apostle classifies believers who sue other believers, with those who shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven, namely, idolaters, thieves, adulterers, effeminate, fornicators, extortioners, etc.

It must be pointed out that even if brother Perez and his group might have treated you with injustice, you leaders were not to expose them in the worlds court, thus bringing reproach to the cause, plus public wound and shame to our dear Saviour. Furthermore, according to the last sentence of paragraph 1, page 306 of AA, you have also shown contempt for God by not limiting the plea for redress to the circumscription of church authority. 1 wish to say to you that there are still Seventh-day Adventist independent and/or self-supporting pastors, some of whom were even present at the Florida trial in question, who would have gladly mediated between you and the Perez group. Note the counsel well, "If a Christian is abused, he is to take it patiently; if defrauded, he is not to appeal to courts of justice. Rather let him suffer loss and wrong. God will deal with the unworthy church member who defrauds his brother or the cause of God; the Christian need not contend for his rights. God will deal with the one who violates these rights.

'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Rom. 12:19. An account is kept of all these matters, and for all the Lord declares that He will avenge. He will bring every work into judgment." 3SM: 300.

1 am amazed that being just a little layperson, I find myself having to refer you to all these inspired references involving divine principles you have blatantly failed to apply. Please consider Romans 8:28. In commenting upon this passage, as applied to Christs experience, Sister White emphatically states, "The Fathers presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lords permission, and 'all things that are permitted 'work together for good to them that love God. " MB: 71. Thus, Christ depended totally upon His Father for His protection. Moreover, in The Ministry of Healing (MH): 489, she adds, "All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are Gods workmen whereby good is brought to us." And Paul also states in 2 Corinthians 13:8, "For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." By your persistent failure to heed these divine principles, you (as representative leaders of our world church) have actually steered the whole corporate church into a path of rebellion which has resulted in leading us further into the present situation where the latter rain has been "withholden."

So, what is the conclusion of the whole matter? The answer is, "No, brother Rock! The church does not need the protection of the arm of the state in order to solve its problems. God is well able to take care of the church." What ever happened to church leaderships faith in God? So... what would you say Elder? Will our church also go against the state in courts of law to defend our constitutional rights when the oppressive Sunday laws are implemented against us in the not-too-distant future? Will you leaders then, as at the present, be hiring Catholic lawyers to defend our Sabbath-keeping rights? Who will protect the "good name" of the church when the little Sabbath-keeping remnant becomes the object of universal execration and we are then looked upon as the "hated sect"? (See Great Controversy [GC]: 615, 635.)

You are credited for having written, "Church Leadership: A Call to Virtue and The Love of Christ." I must ask you the question--Is there any virtue in these lawsuits? Where is the love of Christ in all of this? Are we not supposed to do all things to the glory of God? Have God and the church been glorified in the courts of law? Do you realize what embarrassment we have to face when we invite thinking Bible students to join our church, and they say to us things like, "You are asking me to join a church that has been publicly suing its own believers across this nation? Give me a break!" No, Pastor Calvin Rock, the church, like its Master, must be willing to be defrauded. God is well able to protect your alleged "good name" of the church. The facts reveal that you are the ones who have actually brought reproach upon the so-called "good name" of the church.

Oh leaders of modern Israel, I write with great concern begging of you to please listen. Though my church membership may be at stake, I feel compelled to heed specific counsels, such as, "My message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of truth." 1SM: 196; and, "For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the act ourselves." DA: 441. By violating all these principles through unbiblical church litigation, you have committed a most grievous corporate sin, and implicated all of us members of the worldwide denomination. Would you please read again the fearful warnings of DA: 737, 738, in its entirety? "Pilate then took his place on the judgment seat, and again presented Jesus to the people, saying, 'Behold your King! Again the mad cry was heard, 'Away with Him, crucify Him. In a voice that was heard far and near, Pilate asked, 'Shall I crucify your King? But from profane, blasphemous lips went forth the words, 'We have no king but Caesar. Thus by choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn from the theocracy. They had rejected God as their king. Henceforth they had no deliverer. They had no king but Caesar. To this the priests and teachers had led the people. For this, with the fearful results that followed, they were responsible. A nations sin and a nations ruin were due to the religious leaders." These are solemn admonitions for us upon whom the ends of the world are come. Please remember again the principle of corporate responsibility, which entails that the sin of the few becomes the sin of the many.

Remember also that you leaders will soon be summoned to a "Higher Court," to answer before the judgment seat of Christ. In that solemn day, unless this corporate sin has gone beforehand to judgment, properly confessed, I most definitely do not wish to be then implicated with you, either through a present display of passive indifference, or through fear of discharging my God-given duty to lift up a voice of reproof.

In light of all the clear Biblical and Spirit of Prophecy counsel aforementioned, plus additional counsels that follow, I am appealing and pleading with you to implement the only divinely-appointed solution and remedy for the wrongful course you have been following. What this means is that you must proceed, without delay, to the solemn work of repentance. An act of true repentance must necessarily result in your prompt emission of a public, specific, and thorough statement of confession. This public statement would need to be written on behalf of Adventist leadership worldwide. This appeal is consistent with the instructions of Steps to Christ (SC): 38, "True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty." This mandate is also in keeping with the instructions in the Desire of Ages, p. 811. "Here is given a lesson for all Christs followers. The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin.

Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is required. The reproach of the disciples sin is cast upon Christ. It causes Satan to triumph, and wavering souls to stumble. By giving proof of repentance, the disciple, so far as lies in his power, is to remove this reproach." May the Lord encourage you to move quickly towards this end.

Is this not a time to heed the instructions of 2 Chronicles 7:14? It surely is! "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Is this not a time to come into harmony with the counsel of the prophet Joel, which focuses on prerequisites for the latter rain? Notice his instructions in Joel 2:12-17, "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, 0 LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?"

Please remember also the principle of 2SM: 153, "When men endanger the work and cause of God by their own course of action, shall they hear no voice of reproof? If the wrongdoer only were concerned, and the work reached no farther than him, he alone should have the words of warning; but when his course of action is doing positive harm to the cause of truth, and souls are imperiled, God requires that the warning be as broad as the injury done."

I hope that you will not yield to the temptation to ignore the issues that are being placed before you. I have, and will continue to remain in steadfast prayer for you to see, that your public, corporate repentance, is not only an absolute necessity, it is the only safe and appropriate course to follow in the face of the terrible consequences that will surely befall you as leaders. Furthermore, your failure to do what is right in this matter has already, and will continue to affect the whole church in general. I hope and pray also that you have not yet disregarded these counsels so extensively and so thoroughly, that it would make it virtually impossible for you to heed them now, and proceed to this solemn work of restitution. "God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins." 3T: 269. "He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins." 3T: 265. What makes this an even more grievous corporate sin is that it has been premeditated and willfully carried out by you--the leaders.

I wish to also address you leaders as individuals. Even if most of the Adventist leadership should reject this appeal for repentance and fail to emit a public statement, it is crucial for you, "as individuals," to recognize that you yourselves are responsible for your own souls salvation before God, and for the cause of Christ, to move forward alone in this solemn work. This would mean that you should feel free to issue your own public statement of repentance, thus discharging your "personal" responsibility in clearing your souls before God, and before all those who are striving to be faithful. Take careful notice of this disregarded warning, "I call upon you in the name of Christ to withdraw the suit that you have be2un and never brin2 another into court. God forbids you thus to dishonor His name. You have had great light and many opportunities, and you cannot afford to unite with worldlings and follow their methods. Remember that the Lord will treat you according to the stand that you take in this life.... I tell you solemnly that if you take the action which you now purpose to take, you will never recover from the result of it. If you open before the world the wrongs that you suppose your brethren have done you, there will be some things that will have to be said on the other side." 3SM: 304.

It is so disheartening to learn that you have been progressively leading the Adventist church into a "sue-happy" mode for many years now, displaying neither public visible remorse nor the demonstrable sorrow of a corporate conscience. No change of policy appears in sight. How sad!

I earnestly pray that you will be gracious enough to try to understand that I have proceeded in this matter solely on the basis of love and concern for you and your salvation as leaders, and for the constituency who are my brethren in the Blessed Hope. I pray, furthermore, and my tears flow as I write, that you will please not credit me with seeking to be just a troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17), or, as Paul asked in Galatians 4:16, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" My great hope is that you would perceive my sincerest wish, which comes from the depths of my heart, that all modern Israel may be saved, that we all may be ready to give the loud cry of the third angel, bring in the final harvest and soon be ready for His appearing. Let us go Home!

In view of the fearful issues addressed in this letter, I will remain in prayerful expectation of your prompt and appropriate response to these matters. Be assured that the stakes are very high. I fear that after what you have been doing, every unrepentant day that you allow to go by will only mean greater trouble brooding for us as a people, especially in these troublous end times for the church and the world.

"The Lord never designed that His church should seek the aid of civil power, or work through devices of political expediency." Signs of the Times vol. 3, October 27, 1898.

I remain your sister in the love of Christ, the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,

Miss Z. B. Morgan
P.O. Box 127
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-0127 USA
E-mail: melz@wctc.net

cc: Adventist leadership worldwide

Here are a few more pointed counsels that are highly applicable to the tragic litigation events that have transpired through your pursuit of wrong policies:

"Another lesson Christ had to give, relating especially to Peter. Peters denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty. He had dishonored Christ, and had incurred the distrust of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust. Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them all give evidence of his repentance. Without this, his sin, though repented of, might have destroyed his influence as a minister of Christ. The Saviour gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, to remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel." DA: 811.

"The Lord never designed that His church should seek the aid of civil power, or work through devices of political expediency. He gave her His own all-power of the Spirit, and the wisdom of the Eternal One. Walking in His way, trusting in His power she cannot fail." Signs of the Times vol. 3, October 27, 1898 (does not come up on Ellen White CD Rom).

"To lean upon the arm of the law is a disgrace to Christians; yet this evil has been brought in and cherished among the Lords chosen people. Worldly principles have been stealthily introduced, until in practice many of our workers are becoming like the Laodiceans--half-hearted, because so much dependence is placed on lawyers and legal documents and agreements. Such a condition of things is abhorrent to God." 3SM: 303.

"The spirit that instigates accusation and condemnation in the church which results in uprooting those that are looked upon as evil-doers, has manifested itself in seeking to correct wrongs through the civil power. This is Satans own method for bringing the world under his dominion; but the Lord Jesus Christ has given us no such example for thus dealing with the erring. God has been misrepresented through the church by this very way of dealing with heretics; he has been represented as the one who empowered the church to do these wicked things." RH: January 10, 1893, par. 8.

"It has been revealed to me that the Lord proves and tries all who have named the name of Christ, but especially those who are stewards in any department of His cause. A connection with the special work of God for this time brings with it much responsibility, and the higher the position of trust, the greater the responsibility attached to it. How humble and sincere the one needs to be who is filling such a position! How fearful and mistrustful of himself! How careful to give all the praise and thanksgiving to God!" TM: 279.

"If a suit is instituted in earthly tribunals, and God suffers it to come to trial, it is that His own name may be glorified. But a woe will be upon the man who gives himself to do this work. God reads the motives, whatever they may be. I pray that the Lord will teach our brethren to be straightforward, and make no compromise in the matter. The cause of God has been bruised and wounded by any such men connecting with it, and the sooner they are separated from it, the better.

God calls for men of decided fidelity. He has no use in an emergency for two-sided men. He wants men who will lay their hand upon a wrong work and say, "This is not according to the will of God." 2SM: 153.