Ellen G. White on Women's Suffrage and Political Involvement

A Conflict of Spirit: Joining the women’s rights movement was viewed as a step that could lead to severing one's connection with the third angel's message, as the spirit attending such movements does not align with biblical truth1T 421.4+1.

The Mission of the Home: A mother's influence is profound; though she may not stand in national councils or cast a vote, she does a great work for God and her country by educating her children to have integrityRH April 23, 1889, par. 2.

Preparation for Political Matters: Many women of the time were not qualified to understand important political questions because they were focused on fashion, self-gratification, and custom rather than intellectual cultureCTBH 159.4+2.

Separation from the World: Believers are called to come out from among the world and be separate, not mingling with worldly political movements 2 Corinthians 6:17-182SM 336.1+1.

The Power of Choice: Every human being is given the gift of the will and the power to choose whom they will serve Joshua 24:15TEd 180.4+1.

Voting for Temperance: It is a positive duty for both men and women to use their voice, pen, and vote to favor prohibition and total abstinenceDG 123.2+2.

Accountability at the Ballot Box: Those who vote to sanction the liquor traffic or place intemperate men in office are held accountable for the resulting wickednessTe 254.1+1.

Silence on Political Questions: While individuals may hold opinions on political questions, they are not to proclaim them by voice or pen, as our people must be silent on matters unrelated to the third angel’s message2SM 336.1+1.

Legalized Immorality: The push for suffrage was sometimes linked to the need to withstand horrific laws that legalized houses of ill fame and protected lustful men while victimizing womenDG 252.8+2.

Equality in the Home: Instead of focusing on "equal rights" or political privileges, energy should be directed toward the inner sanctities of home life and the fountain of pure influence within the familyHR January 1, 1873, par. 3.

The Purity of the Church: Linking church membership or religious profession to the right to vote in civil government historically led to the corruption of the church and the promotion of unconverted menGC 297.1.

Independent Thinking: In councils and committees, individuals should not merely be "ciphers" who vote "yes" to every proposition but should weigh every matter carefully and bring plans to the Divine Counselor18MR 292.2+1.

Dangers of Hasty Voting: Many matters have been carried by vote in conferences without proper sifting, leading to results that were not for the spiritual benefit of believersPCL 146.1+1.

Character over Popularity: Men who are intemperate or unconverted should not be placed in positions of trust by the vote of the peopleTe 254.1+1.

A Spirit of Contention: The spirit that attends the woman's rights movement is not in harmony with the message of mercy for these last days, and joining such movements is essentially the same as severing connection with God's work1T 421.4+2.

Stirred from Beneath: Political strife and agitation are inspired by an intense activity from beneath, leading even brothers in the same faith to wear badges of opposing parties and declare divided opinions11LtMs, Ms 43, 1896, par. 6+1.

The Fruit of Selfishness: Dissension and disorder brought into the church through political ideas are described as a moral poison taken into the system by selfish human beingsCCh 316.6+2.

Satanic Joy: Engaging in political contests makes Satan glad because he knows it causes believers to exhibit the natural attributes of unregenerate hearts, such as hatred and jealousy9MR 130.2+2.

Unequal Yoking: Forming alliances with political movements is a violation of the command not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, as there is no safe ground for the loyal and disloyal to work together 2 Corinthians 6:14-152SM 336.1+2.

Linking with Iniquity: Many political parties are characterized by fraud on both sides, and God has not laid the burden upon His people to link their interests with the world's interests or its "unclean things" 2 Corinthians 6:17-1821MR 25.3+1.

The Image to the Papacy: Efforts to unite church and state through political gateways, such as the push for national reform, are identical to the theory upon which the papacy was builtGC88 689.1+1.

Compulsory Worship: Political movements often labor to please men who will eventually use their influence to repress religious liberty and compel others to keep a spurious sabbathHF 369.4+2.

Wrong Channels: The Lord does not want His servants to employ their God-given time and talents in wrong channels, such as arguing or writing about political issues like the "gold and silver" controversy9MR 128.1+2.

Neglect of the Soul: When individuals become absorbed in political questions, they often neglect the greatest study of all: how to save their own souls and seek the kingdom of God Mark 8:36-378MR 352.1+2.

Intellectual Sloth: Many seeking prominent positions in politics were disciplined only by fashion and custom, lacking the breadth of thought and intellectual culture necessary to act wisely in important mattersCTBH 159.4+2.

A Worldly Standard: Political activism often relies on human agencies and worldly magnificence, which God regards as the dust of the balance compared to His eternal kingdomFE 481.3+2.

Subjects of Christ: Believers are to stand as subjects of Christ's kingdom, and their vocation is too high and holy to be brought down to the level of political strife9MR 129.2+2.

Silence as Eloquence: On many political themes, silence is considered true eloquence, as the people of God are to remain separate and peculiar with the name of God in their foreheads2SM 336.1+3.

Preparation for the Crisis: Instead of political agitation, the youth are called to take their place in a royal line of witnesses who value God's word above human power and policyPr 315.3+1.

Eternal Citizenship: Christians must recognize that their citizenship is above and they are merely pilgrims and strangers on the earth, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God Philippians 3:2021MR 25.3+2.