The following is not in any way taken out of context. Ellen's "instructor" is the one who told her that photographs are idols as highlighted below.
Ellen surely didn't have a very good memory did she? She spent, in today's money, thousands of dollars on herself and family and told others as seen below that they were sinners for having their photographs.
During the night I was sorely distressed. A great burden rested upon me. I had been pleading with God to work in behalf of His people. My attention was called to the money which they have invested in photographs. I was taken from house to house, through the homes of our people, and as I went from room to room, my Instructor said, “Behold the idols which have accumulated!” {RH September 10, 1901, par. 1}
As I visited the homes of our people and our schools, I see that all the available space on tables, what-nots, and mantelpieces is filled up with photographs. On the right hand and on the left are seen the pictures of human faces. God desires this order of things to be changed. Were Christ on earth, He would say, “Take these things hence.” I have been instructed that these pictures are as so many idols, taking up the time and thought which should be sacredly devoted to God. {RH September 10, 1901, par. 2}
These photographs cost money. Is it consistent for us, knowing the work that is to be done at this time, to spend God’s money in producing pictures of our own faces and the faces of our friends? Should not every dollar that we can spare be used in the upbuilding of the cause of God? These pictures take money that should be sacredly devoted to God’s service; and they divert the mind from the truths of God’s word. {RH September 10, 1901, par. 3}
This making and exchanging photographs is a species of idolatry. Satan is doing all he can to eclipse heaven from our view. Let us not help him by making picture-idols. We need to reach a higher standard than these human faces suggest. The Lord says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Those who claim to believe in Christ need to realize that they are to reflect His image. It is His likeness that is to be kept before the mind. The words that are spoken are to be freighted with heavenly inspiration. {RH September 10, 1901, par. 4}
Ellen, it seems, was obsessed with her flock's money. many of her "I saw" were about money. Bicycles were sinful to own because the flock spent money on them, money that she wanted control of just like she did of their minds. Mind control was the name of the game. Getting control made puppets of the flock. Getting control meant more money. Why do SDAs tell us all that Ellen wrote about pictures is not relevant today? If pictures were idols then why are they not now?
I will be chastised for writing this telling me that what I wrote is not true. I didn't make it up, I only copied and pasted what she wrote as did Tall.
