Adventists - voting on moral issues -- a mandate?

[BobRyan]

Lev 18 lists what God calls "abominations" -- moral issues.
Rom 1 addresses moral issues
1 Cor 6 addresses moral issues.

Should Adventists vote when it comes to moral issues even if imperfect politicians are on both sides of the moral issue?

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"'Shall we vote for prohibition?' she asked. 'Yes, to a man,
everywhere,' she replied, 'and perhaps I shall shock some of you if I say,
If necessary, vote on the Sabbath day for prohibition if you cannot at any
other time."'--Ibid. {3BIO 160.1}

WCTU and Sunday –

“The WCTU made Sunday Closing a special project and asked WCTU members to send petitions to Congress”

Moral Reconstruction; by Gains Foster p101

Moral Reconstruction

According to the Ellen White Estate “Mrs. S. M. I. Henry… was the national evangelist for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. A serious health problem led her to the Battle Creek Sanitarium where she accepted the Adventist message and was also miraculously healed. In December, 1898, Mrs. White wrote as follows regarding the relation of Mrs. Henry to the W.C.T.U.:

“I thank the Lord with heart, and soul, and voice that you have been a prominent and influential member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union… The Lord does not bid you separate from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. They need all the light you can give them… Flash all the light possible into their pathway. You can agree with them on the ground of the pure, elevating principles that first brought into existence the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.” Letter 118, 1898.
According to the White Estate; “at the time when this letter was received by Mrs. Henry, she had tendered her resignation as an officer of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Regarding this she wrote to Mrs. White on February 3, 1899 as follows:

“I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am that the Lord sent the word to me just in time to prevent me from taking the final step which would have severed my relation to the W. C. T. U. This was one of the most remarkable manifestations of the personal and constant care of God over His children which I have ever had. . . The message coming just at that opportune time, and so clearly from the Lord that I could have no question concerning it, I simply wrote withdrawing my resignation.”
Mrs. White wrote her back; “I was greatly pleased with your letter, in which you give me the history of your experience with the W. C. T. U. When I read it, I said, ‘Thank the Lord. That is seed sowing which is of value.’ I am pleased, so much pleased. The Lord has certainly opened your way. Keep it open if possible. A work can be accomplished by you. Preserve your strength for such efforts. Attend important gatherings when you can. . . .

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[BobRyan]

Ellen White also wrote to others concerning the W.C.T.U. One of them was a Dr. Lillis Wood-Starr on September 5, 1907.

“Be encouraged to continue your work for the W. C. T. U. Unite with them in their good work as far as you can do so without compromising any principle of truth. Lead them to see that there is more light for them in the Word of God. God has shown you that it is your privilege to unite with these workers that you may give them a more intelligent understanding of the principles of His Word.” Letter 278, 1907, pp. 5.

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Far above the moral issue of "who should be allowed to sell alcohol" is the issue of taking the life of an unborn baby.

 

[BobRyan]

The issue under discussion was on the matter of voting for prohibition.​

"Twenty-six years later, G. B. Starr, laboring in Australia, was confronted with a similar question. He called to mind how Ellen White, at the Iowa meeting, related a dream in which she seemed to be in a large gathering where the temperance movement was being discussed. A fine-looking man with pen in hand was circulating a temperance pledge, but none would sign. As the visitor was leaving, he turned and said: {3BIO 159.4}​

"God designs to help the people in a great movement on this​

subject. He also designed that you, as a people, should be the​

head and not the tail in the movement; but now the position you​

have taken will place you at the tail.--In DF 274, "The Des​

Moines, Iowa, Temperance Experience." {3BIO 159.5}​

"'Shall we vote for prohibition?' she asked. 'Yes, to a man, everywhere,' she replied, 'and perhaps I shall shock some of you if I say,​

If necessary, vote on the Sabbath day for prohibition if you cannot at anyother time."'--Ibid. {3BIO 160.1}​

Writing of the experience--in an account Ellen White endorsed—Starr declared: {3BIO 160.2}​

I can testify that the effect of the relation of that dream was electrical upon the whole conference. A convincing power​

attended it, and I saw for the first time the unifying power of thegift of prophecy in the church.--Ibid. {3BIO 160.3}​

 

[BobRyan]

The opening ceremony for the Olympics this year emphasizes the depravity that can be sanctioned at the highest levels when the church is asleep at the wheel, the church is "the light of the world" the "Salt of the Earth" -- when the salt loses its savor - it has no impact.

"There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundations. Many deplore the wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves free from all responsibility in the matter. This cannot be. Every individual exerts an influence in society. In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue? {RH November 8, 1881, par. 9}

"Attended meeting in the eve. Had quite a free, interesting meeting. After it was time to close, the subject of voting was considered and dwelt upon. James first talked, then Brother [J. N.] Andrews talked, and it was thought by them best to give their influence in favor of right and against wrong. They think it right to vote in favor of temperance men being in office in our city instead of by their silence running the risk of having intemperate men put in office. Brother [David] Hewitt tells his experience of a few days [since] and is settled that [it] is right to cast his vote. Brother [Josiah] Hart talks well. Brother [Henry] Lyon opposes. No others object to voting, but Brother [J.P.] Kellogg begins to feel that it is right. Pleasant feelings exist among all the brethren. O that they may all act in the fear of God. {2SM 337.2}

"Men of intemperance have been in the office today in a flattering manner expressing their approbation of the course of the Sabbathkeepers not voting and expressed hopes that they will stick to their course and, like the Quakers, not cast their vote. Satan and his evil angels are busy at this time, and he has workers upon the earth. May Satan be disappointed, is my prayer.—E. G. White diary, Sunday, March 6, 1859. {2SM 337.3}

"The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence by precept and example—by voice and pen and vote—in favor of prohibition and total abstinence.—Gospel Workers, 387, 388.

 

[reddogs]

Lev 18 lists what God calls "abominations" -- moral issues.
Rom 1 addresses moral issues
1 Cor 6 addresses moral issues.

Should Adventists vote when it comes to moral issues even if imperfect politicians are on both sides of the moral issue?

=========================

"'Shall we vote for prohibition?' she asked. 'Yes, to a man,
everywhere,' she replied, 'and perhaps I shall shock some of you if I say,
If necessary, vote on the Sabbath day for prohibition if you cannot at any
other time."'--Ibid. {3BIO 160.1}

WCTU and Sunday –

“The WCTU made Sunday Closing a special project and asked WCTU members to send petitions to Congress”

Moral Reconstruction; by Gains Foster p101

Moral Reconstruction

According to the Ellen White Estate “Mrs. S. M. I. Henry… was the national evangelist for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. A serious health problem led her to the Battle Creek Sanitarium where she accepted the Adventist message and was also miraculously healed. In December, 1898, Mrs. White wrote as follows regarding the relation of Mrs. Henry to the W.C.T.U.:

“I thank the Lord with heart, and soul, and voice that you have been a prominent and influential member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union… The Lord does not bid you separate from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. They need all the light you can give them… Flash all the light possible into their pathway. You can agree with them on the ground of the pure, elevating principles that first brought into existence the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.” Letter 118, 1898.
According to the White Estate; “at the time when this letter was received by Mrs. Henry, she had tendered her resignation as an officer of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Regarding this she wrote to Mrs. White on February 3, 1899 as follows:

“I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am that the Lord sent the word to me just in time to prevent me from taking the final step which would have severed my relation to the W. C. T. U. This was one of the most remarkable manifestations of the personal and constant care of God over His children which I have ever had. . . The message coming just at that opportune time, and so clearly from the Lord that I could have no question concerning it, I simply wrote withdrawing my resignation.”
Mrs. White wrote her back; “I was greatly pleased with your letter, in which you give me the history of your experience with the W. C. T. U. When I read it, I said, ‘Thank the Lord. That is seed sowing which is of value.’ I am pleased, so much pleased. The Lord has certainly opened your way. Keep it open if possible. A work can be accomplished by you. Preserve your strength for such efforts. Attend important gatherings when you can. . . .

​

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Wow, that's pretty straightforward. We have to stand for Gods will with zeal...