Kevin L . Morgan
40-year pastor, researcher, author, editor, content creator, husband, proud father, and grandpa. Graduate of Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor's in theology, a Master's in homiletics, and Master's level history at Appalachian State University.
Author, co-author, or contributor:
SABBATH REST: Is There Something Missing in Your Busy Life?
WHITE LIE SOAP: For Removal of Lingering Stains on Ellen White's Integrity as an Inspired Writer (2013),
JOURNEYING TO THE SAME HEAVEN: Ellen White, the Civil War, and the Goal of Post-Racialism (2015),
LITERARY BEAUTY OF ELLEN G. WHITE'S WRITINGS: Explore the Conflict of the Ages series in a new way! (2018),
MORE THAN WORDS: A Study of Inspiration and Ellen White's Use of Sources in The Desire of Ages (2009),
SACRED TIME unRemembered: How the original Sabbath was lost and why it matters (2014),
STEPS TO CHRIST, Andrews annotated edition (2017),
GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! Exploring Ellen White's Early Visions (2025)
Editor:
Brenda Abell, Dying With Jesus: A Love Story
Samuel Abraham, Amazing Truth: A New Believer's Guide to the Bible
Reginald Alexander, Why Me, Lord? Finding Joy in Affliction
John Bartels, Elijah Time III: Is There a Final Fulfillment of Prophecy Yet to Come?
Samuel Bulgin, PRAYER: CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD,
Stuart Cedrone, Points of Grace: Empowerment for Hard Times,
Michael G. Coleman, Women's Ordination and the San Antonio Compromise,
Valerie Knowles Combie, Memories/Recuerdos,
Gary Davis, Born to Die in Order to Live,
Lowell Dunston, Faith Trek into the Unknown,
Mitch Elrod, Like Father, Like Son, Like Grandson: Curse-Proofing Your Family and Home,
Robert Esco, His Story: Getting to Know the Man on the Cross Through First-Person Interviews,
Linda May Everhart, Bonita and the Barn on Hiram Edson's Farm,
Linda May Everhart, Molly Finds a Home: Getting to Know William Miller Through a Visit to His House,
Joseph Farah, Behold the Bridegroom Cometh,
Linda Franklin, SHADOWS POINT TO RAINBOWS: An Unwanted Dog Becomes an Injured Boy's Best Friend,
Allen W. Freed, OUR WONDERFUL JUDGE: Abiding in His Love,
Lyndon G. Furst, THE TABLE’S STORY: And Other Observations Instructive to the Christian Journey,
Dan Gabbert, Unbound!: Insights into Mental and Spiritual Healing and Victory,
Conrad Gren, Ancient Standard Version, Genesis,
Conrad Gren, Parallel Old Testament Tenakh, Daniel,
Thomas Hardy, The Layman's Guide to Biblical Preaching: A Seven-Step Plan,
Paul Haynes, Battling the Dragon: A Prophetic Guide to Survival in the Last Days,
Paul Haynes, Four Horsemen, Four Hearts: Responding to the Gospel in Revelation 6,
Brian T. Heath, God in the Dark Side of Chicago: A Story of Pain and Redemption,
Loren and Cheryl Herbert, DESIGNER SCIENCE: Dynamic Demonstrations that Illustrate,
Tom M. Hughes, Perfect Grace: It's All About Jesus,
Fitzroy Hunte, 28 FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE STUDIES,
George Javor, Magnifying Creation,
Michael R. Karr, The Alpha and Omega,
Gladys Ogoti Kerubo - FATHER, BLESS ME INDEED,
King-Taylor
Daniel Knauft with Kevin Morgan, Sacred Time Unremembered: How the Original Sabbath Was Lost--and Why It Matters
Doris Irish Lacks, Boy Power: How Famous Men Chose to Answer God’s Call When Young
Nancy Berthiaume LaPierre, God’s Power Revealed Through Prayer: True Life Stories
Karen R. Levine, God’s Vision
Melvin Maxwell, Bible Truth or Church Tradition: Finding a Church Built Squarely on the Word of God
A. Leroy Moore, The Power of Humility: What to do when you are "right"
A. Leroy Moore, Adventist Cultures in Conflict: Principles of Reconciliation
Allen A. Nueske, The Chiasm of Daniel and Revelation, Omega Segment, Part One
Gladys Ogoti, Father, Bless Me Indeed: A Devotional Reading of Bible Blessings
Marie Pflugrad, How EMDR Therapy Transformed My Life: From "God Hole" to "God Whole"
Jean T. Saint Sauveur, The Key to Effective Spiritual Growth
Warren A. Shipton, Christ With Us: Instruction and Encouragement from the Sanctuary
David Spaulding, To Obey is Better: and Other Stories with Life Lessons for Children
Kevin Straub, Of the Times and the Seasons: And the Delay of the Return of Christ
Hubert F. Sturges, More Than a Promise: The Everlasting Covenant as Presented Throughout History
Dan Tierney, I AM IS: Absolute Proof that God Does Exist
Phillippa M. Turner, The Power of a Mother's Prayer: Changing Lives and Relationships Through Heaven's Life Line with the Holy Spirit
Jan Voerman, Ellen White and the Trinity
Jan Voerman, Juggling Work & Home: The Toll on Motherhood
Jan Voerman, The Future of Israel: A Biblical Prophetic Perspective
Jan Voerman, The Ordination of Women: The Priesthood of All Believers and Other Aspects
Louis F. Were, The Moral Purpose of Prophecy
Julia L. Wise, Chronicles of a Thirsty Traveler: An Allegory about the Source of the Water of Life
Michael Wood, Go—Mobilizing the Body of Christ
Address: Millers Creek, North Carolina, United States
Author, co-author, or contributor:
SABBATH REST: Is There Something Missing in Your Busy Life?
WHITE LIE SOAP: For Removal of Lingering Stains on Ellen White's Integrity as an Inspired Writer (2013),
JOURNEYING TO THE SAME HEAVEN: Ellen White, the Civil War, and the Goal of Post-Racialism (2015),
LITERARY BEAUTY OF ELLEN G. WHITE'S WRITINGS: Explore the Conflict of the Ages series in a new way! (2018),
MORE THAN WORDS: A Study of Inspiration and Ellen White's Use of Sources in The Desire of Ages (2009),
SACRED TIME unRemembered: How the original Sabbath was lost and why it matters (2014),
STEPS TO CHRIST, Andrews annotated edition (2017),
GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! Exploring Ellen White's Early Visions (2025)
Editor:
Brenda Abell, Dying With Jesus: A Love Story
Samuel Abraham, Amazing Truth: A New Believer's Guide to the Bible
Reginald Alexander, Why Me, Lord? Finding Joy in Affliction
John Bartels, Elijah Time III: Is There a Final Fulfillment of Prophecy Yet to Come?
Samuel Bulgin, PRAYER: CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD,
Stuart Cedrone, Points of Grace: Empowerment for Hard Times,
Michael G. Coleman, Women's Ordination and the San Antonio Compromise,
Valerie Knowles Combie, Memories/Recuerdos,
Gary Davis, Born to Die in Order to Live,
Lowell Dunston, Faith Trek into the Unknown,
Mitch Elrod, Like Father, Like Son, Like Grandson: Curse-Proofing Your Family and Home,
Robert Esco, His Story: Getting to Know the Man on the Cross Through First-Person Interviews,
Linda May Everhart, Bonita and the Barn on Hiram Edson's Farm,
Linda May Everhart, Molly Finds a Home: Getting to Know William Miller Through a Visit to His House,
Joseph Farah, Behold the Bridegroom Cometh,
Linda Franklin, SHADOWS POINT TO RAINBOWS: An Unwanted Dog Becomes an Injured Boy's Best Friend,
Allen W. Freed, OUR WONDERFUL JUDGE: Abiding in His Love,
Lyndon G. Furst, THE TABLE’S STORY: And Other Observations Instructive to the Christian Journey,
Dan Gabbert, Unbound!: Insights into Mental and Spiritual Healing and Victory,
Conrad Gren, Ancient Standard Version, Genesis,
Conrad Gren, Parallel Old Testament Tenakh, Daniel,
Thomas Hardy, The Layman's Guide to Biblical Preaching: A Seven-Step Plan,
Paul Haynes, Battling the Dragon: A Prophetic Guide to Survival in the Last Days,
Paul Haynes, Four Horsemen, Four Hearts: Responding to the Gospel in Revelation 6,
Brian T. Heath, God in the Dark Side of Chicago: A Story of Pain and Redemption,
Loren and Cheryl Herbert, DESIGNER SCIENCE: Dynamic Demonstrations that Illustrate,
Tom M. Hughes, Perfect Grace: It's All About Jesus,
Fitzroy Hunte, 28 FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE STUDIES,
George Javor, Magnifying Creation,
Michael R. Karr, The Alpha and Omega,
Gladys Ogoti Kerubo - FATHER, BLESS ME INDEED,
King-Taylor
Daniel Knauft with Kevin Morgan, Sacred Time Unremembered: How the Original Sabbath Was Lost--and Why It Matters
Doris Irish Lacks, Boy Power: How Famous Men Chose to Answer God’s Call When Young
Nancy Berthiaume LaPierre, God’s Power Revealed Through Prayer: True Life Stories
Karen R. Levine, God’s Vision
Melvin Maxwell, Bible Truth or Church Tradition: Finding a Church Built Squarely on the Word of God
A. Leroy Moore, The Power of Humility: What to do when you are "right"
A. Leroy Moore, Adventist Cultures in Conflict: Principles of Reconciliation
Allen A. Nueske, The Chiasm of Daniel and Revelation, Omega Segment, Part One
Gladys Ogoti, Father, Bless Me Indeed: A Devotional Reading of Bible Blessings
Marie Pflugrad, How EMDR Therapy Transformed My Life: From "God Hole" to "God Whole"
Jean T. Saint Sauveur, The Key to Effective Spiritual Growth
Warren A. Shipton, Christ With Us: Instruction and Encouragement from the Sanctuary
David Spaulding, To Obey is Better: and Other Stories with Life Lessons for Children
Kevin Straub, Of the Times and the Seasons: And the Delay of the Return of Christ
Hubert F. Sturges, More Than a Promise: The Everlasting Covenant as Presented Throughout History
Dan Tierney, I AM IS: Absolute Proof that God Does Exist
Phillippa M. Turner, The Power of a Mother's Prayer: Changing Lives and Relationships Through Heaven's Life Line with the Holy Spirit
Jan Voerman, Ellen White and the Trinity
Jan Voerman, Juggling Work & Home: The Toll on Motherhood
Jan Voerman, The Future of Israel: A Biblical Prophetic Perspective
Jan Voerman, The Ordination of Women: The Priesthood of All Believers and Other Aspects
Louis F. Were, The Moral Purpose of Prophecy
Julia L. Wise, Chronicles of a Thirsty Traveler: An Allegory about the Source of the Water of Life
Michael Wood, Go—Mobilizing the Body of Christ
Address: Millers Creek, North Carolina, United States
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Papers by Kevin L . Morgan
The paper:
1. Describes the manuscripts copied by Edson.
2. Explores their provenance and authenticity.
3. Compares Edson’s copies with published versions in Present Truth and Early Writings.
4. Shows how editorial omissions shaped public access to White’s writings.
5, Evaluates the historical and theological significance of these documents.
Updated 12/11/2025, 10:23 PM
Here’s a summary of the evidence presented in Washburn’s Wonderful Letter in the Handwriting of Mrs. E. G. White:
Background of the Letter
J. S. Washburn (1863–1955) treasured a handwritten 1890 letter from Ellen G. White.
He viewed it as proof that her writings were entirely inspired by the Holy Spirit, untouched by secretaries or human sources.
In the 1920s, he published facsimiles of the letter, insisting it showed “no degree whatever from any human source.”
Counterclaims & Evidence of Source Use
Critics (esp. Douglas Hackleman, 2006) noted that much of the letter closely parallels John Harris’ The Great Teacher (1836).
Hackleman claimed nearly all five devotional paragraphs were paraphrased from Harris.
Kevin Morgan tested this using WCopyfind software, producing annotated comparisons between Ellen White’s letter and Harris’ text.
Findings from Comparison
The letter does contain direct borrowings and paraphrases from Harris, including:
“Each person has a page in God’s providence… numbered hairs of his head” (cf. Harris, pp. 91–92).
Descriptions of God’s “infinite love,” “windows of heaven opened,” and “treasure of heaven poured out” (cf. Harris, pp. 93–94).
Ellen White integrated biblical references (in green text in the facsimile) and her own emphases into Harris’ framework.
Thus, her prose was not solely dictated from inspiration but a blend of borrowed phrasing, scripture, and her own expressions.
Assessment of Washburn’s Claim
Washburn’s assertion that the letter “forever demonstrates” independence from human sources is incorrect.
Ellen White herself admitted elsewhere to drawing on authors (even those she disagreed with) to present truth.
Morgan concludes that her writing did communicate “beauty, warmth, and tenderness,” but she achieved this partly by adapting others’ words.
In short:
The evidence shows Ellen White’s 1890 “Washburn letter” was not purely original inspiration as Washburn believed. It contains clear literary borrowing from John Harris’ The Great Teacher, though adapted with biblical language and her own application. Washburn’s defense of absolute originality was naïve, reflecting his ignorance of her literary practices.
Published as an attachment to the biography of Elizabeth Haines (https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=5J9B) at https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Resources/Encyclopedia%20of%20Seventh-Day%20Adventists/Haines,%20E%20-%20Hunt_for_Elizabeth_Haines_20210414.pdf
Updated 12/28/2025 with new graphics, an improved final illustration, and a correction regarding John Howell and the references to the traditional site for the house. Made the picture on the first page look more like young Ellen White, 1/9/2026.
The hymns on the album were:
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross,
We Speak Of The Realms Of The Blest,
I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say,
There Is Sunlight On The Hilltop,
Jesus Lover Of My Soul,
I Will Follow Thee My Savior,
I'm A Pilgrim,
Holy Holy Holy,
Crowded Is Your Heart With Cares,
There's A Land That Is Fairer Than Day,
When Faint And Weary Toiling,
We Praise Thee O God.
Resources:
https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/YI/YI19510522-V99-21.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqsFkjz0JNk for her favorite hymns
Contains an interesting exposition on a poem Ellen White included with an article she wrote when her twin sister lost a six-week-old baby. It also has the poem on the back of Ellen White's second book.
Companion papers are found at https://www.academia.edu/43607284/Thoughts_From_the_Mount_of_Blessing_by_Ellen_G._White_poetry_edition_
https://www.academia.edu/43684888/Hymns_Loved_and_Sung_by_Ellen_White
I welcome your feedback
After years of knowing about the event, I decided to compare her descriptions to what was then known of astronomy and to what is known today. From both perspectives, her brief vision is amazing.
Updated February 6, 2025, adding images of Bates' pamphlet with its publication date
This document contains answers to 15 of these, with exhibits, new research, and careful documentation. It refutes exhibits posted against Ellen White and includes the latest research totals on literary borrowing from Conybeare and Howson, et al. It also responds to questions about Ellen White's use of Milton in Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1 (1858) and The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1 (1870), through a summarization of the 12 Books of Paradise Lost, indicating similarities and dissimilarities, expanded since last upload and adding illustrations and a final table of the most verbatim sentences from Howson in Sketches from the Life of Paul in the published letter of Charles Stewart. New graphics added for the question on Milton, with some refinement on the answer regarding when J. N. Andrews asked Ellen White about her having read Milton's Paradise Lost.
Updated November 23, 2025.