What is the voice of God? "The Bible and the Bible alone must now be laid up in the heart. It must be cherished and regarded as the voice of God, for it alone can make men right and keep them so." Manuscript Releases Volume Seventeen, 234

All true power and authority have for their source the God of heaven. But when individuals or organizations seek to supersede and pervert this God given authority, they take themselves out from under the direction of the Creator and thereby forfeit the authority they once had when under His guidance. Organizations, institutions, unless kept by the power of God, will work under Satan's dictation to bring men under the control of men." Special Testimonies Series B, Number 9, p. 24

In the year 1875, sister White gave the following testimony regarding the General Conference: "I have been shown that no man's judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any one man. But when the judgment of the General Conference, which is the highest authority that God has upon the earth, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be maintained, but be surrendered." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 492

In 1895, twenty years later, she saw the development of something totally different: "I do not find rest in spirit. Scene after scene is presented in symbols before me, and I find no rest until I begin to write out the matter. At the center of the work matters are being shaped so that every other institution is following the same course, and the General Conference is itself becoming corrupted with wrong sentiments and principles.

I have been shown that the Jewish nation were not brought suddenly into their condition of thought and practice. From generation to generation they were working on false theories, carrying out principles opposed to the truth, and combining with their religion thoughts and plans that were the product of human minds. Human inventions were made supreme.

The holy principles that God has given are represented as the sacred fire, but common fire has been used in place of the sacred. Plans contrary to truth and righteousness are introduced in a subtle manner on the plea that this must be done, and that must be done, ‘because it is for the advancement of the cause of God.' But it is the devising of men that leads to oppression, injustice, and wickedness." Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 359, 360

One year later in 1896, the prophet of God penned these words: "Who can now feel sure that they are safe in respecting the voice of the General Conference Association? If the people in our churches understood the management of the men who walk in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, would they respect their decisions? I answer, No, not for a moment. I have been shown that the people at large do not know that the heart of the work is being diseased and corrupted at Battle Creek.

Many of the people are in a lethargic, listless, apathetic condition, and assent to plans which they do not understand. Where is the voice, from whence will it come, to whom the people may listen, knowing that it comes from the true Shepherd? I am called upon by the Spirit of God to present these things before you, and they are correct to the life, according to the practice of the past few years." Spalding Magan Unpublished Testimonies, p. 35

Five years later in 1901 at the General Conference session, God through His prophet made the following startling statement: "that these men should stand in a sacred place to be the voice of God to the people as we once believed the General Conference to be, that is past." 1901 General Conference Bulletin, p. 25

In 1909 a statement is again made similar to the one in 1875 note: "I have often been instructed by the Lord that no man's judgment should be surrendered to the judgement of any other one man. Never should the mind of one man or the minds of a few be regarded as sufficient in wisdom and power to control the work and to say what plans should be followed. But when, in a General Conference, the judgment of the brethren assembled from all parts of the field is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained but surrendered." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 260

The contrasts in these statements have been for some, a source of confusion. Some take hold of the statements of a negative nature and apply them to today. Others look to the 1875 and 1909 statements as unconditional promises, and loudly assert that the Conference, Union or General Conference is the voice of God, and therefore must be followed and obeyed.

"It should be remembered that the promises and the threatnings of God are alike conditional." Evangelism 695

To ancient Israel the promise was given,—"I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain." And of His people He said, "Behold, …I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness." Zechariah 8:3, 7, 8

"These promises were conditional on obedience." Prophets and Kings, p. 704. Israel failed over a period of centuries to meet the conditions and as a result eventually ceased to be God's chosen represenatives.

"The sins and iniquities of rebellious Israel are recorded and the picture presented before us as a warning that if we imitate their example of transgression and depart from God we shall fall as surely as did they." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 609

The conditional nature of God's promises of favor and victory is clearly established by the statement above.

Where do we stand today? Can the General Conference or local, or Union Conferences be looked upon as having authority and constituting the voice of God on earth for Seventh-day Adventists? Jesus said, "by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20

"Yet we hear that the voice of the conference is the voice of God. Every time I have heard this, I have thought that it was almost blasphemy. The voice of the conference ought to be the voice of God, but it is not, because some in connection with it are not men of faith and prayer; they are not men of elevated principle. There is not a seeking of God with the whole heart; there is not a realization of the terrible responsibility that rests upon those in this institution to mold and fashion minds after the divine similitude." Sermons and Talks Volume Two, 159, 1901

Each individual church member is called upon by God, not to blindly yield unquestioning, unconditional obedience to any man or set of men, but to examine the tree and see if there is the fruit of obedience to a "thus saith the Lord." Remember "The Bible and the Bible alone …must be cherished and regarded as the voice of God, for it alone can make men right and keep them so." Manuscript Releases Volume Seventeen, 234

Thus only when a body of believers in leadership capacity follows the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy can their instructions be regarded as the voice of God. When we follow anything else we are listening to the "voice of a stranger." See John 10:5

The present attitude prevailing worldwide among professed Seventh-day Adventists is to place almost unconditional trust in those men occupying positions of leadership. This comes perilously close to the same ideology as papal infallibility. Such dependence on men is the most dangerous ground we can stand on. As Satan gains control of men and institutions, a subtle but steady change of doctrine and mission and spirit takes hold of the denomination.

And because of our long standing error of following men instead of God, the vast majority of SDA's throughout the world are now following the voice of strangers, not knowing that many in the church and its leadership have changed leaders. We have replaced a thus "saith the Lord" for a thus saith the policy, the committee, the pastor or conference leaders. We may think we are being faithful to God by following the policies and directions of the leaders, but when those policies and directions are unfaithful to God's word and principles; we are following the voice of a stranger and going down the broad road to perdition.

"It has been shown me that there is a fault with us, of honoring the human, flattering men, accepting their ideas, their judgment, as the voice of God, and advocating their cause. Many have such confidence in those whom they have been accustomed to regard as leaders, that they seem incapable of discerning when these persons are in error, and they are ready to cling to and defend erroneous positions, because others do so. This spirit is displeasing to God, and is dangerous to all who indulge in it; for if leading men allow themselves to be controlled by prejudice, evil surmisings, or envy, those who look to them for an example are led astray. Brethren, trust not in man; look to God; trust in His infallible wisdom. Shun as a sin the practice, so common even among Seventh-day Adventists, of becoming the echo of any man, whatever his position. Listen to the voice of the True Shepherd, and you will never be led astray." Gospel Workers, 390

"The Jews perished as a nation because they were drawn from the truth of the Bible by their rulers, priests, and elders. Had they heeded the scriptures for themselves they would not have perished." Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 109

"But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them." Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 106

"In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message. Teach the people, He said, "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man's theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ's servants to teach. ‘The law and the prophets,' with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. Christ's name is their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing that does not bear His superscription is to be recognized in His kingdom." Desire of Ages, 826

"We are not to turn from the One mighty in counsel to ask guidance of men. Let those who are inclined to do this read and receive the Bible as the word of God to them. The Bible is the Voice of God to His people." Review and Herald, vol. 5, p. 224

"Those only who read the Scriptures as the voice of God speaking to them are true learners. They tremble at the voice of God, for to them it is a living reality. They open their understanding to divine instruction, and pray for grace, that they may obtain a preparation for service. As the heavenly torch is placed in his hand, the seeker for truth sees his own frailty, his infirmity, the hopelessness of looking to himself for righteousness. He sees that there is in him nothing that can recommend him to God. He prays for the Holy Spirit, the representative of Christ, to be his constant guide, to lead him into all truth. He repeats the promise, ‘The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things' (John 14:26)." Lift Him Up, 121