The White Obelisk
By ,
Ellen White, Letter 10, 1906
Few Adventists realize that one of the most ancient pagan symbols in world history—long associated with the sun-god Ra, Baal worship, and even Freemasonry—stands today over the graves of James and Ellen White. Even more surprising: The obelisk was erected during Ellen White’s lifetime, in full view of the prophetess who claimed direct guidance from heavenly beings. Why didn't her spirit guides object to a symbol the Bible repeatedly commands God's people to destroy?
White Burial Site
Below is a photo taken at the burial site of Elder and Mrs. James White, July 24, 1915:1
Notice the obelisk which appears as a memorial to James White. It was erected on the White burial site during Ellen White's lifetime, and most likely with her approval. We do not know if Mrs. White was directly involved in the selection of the obelisk, nor do we know if Ellen White fully understood the history or meaning of the symbol. However, we do know that Mrs. White claimed to have frequent visits with spirit guides during the latter years of her life. There is no record of them ever objecting to the obelisk. This seems a bit odd because in the Old Testament, God spoke through His true prophets commanding the destruction of heathen obelisks (see 2 Kings 10:26). The Israelites were forbidden by the true prophet Moses from erecting stone images:
YOU SHALL make for yourselves no idols nor shall you erect a graven image, pillar, or obelisk, nor shall you place any figured stone in your land to which or on which to bow down; for I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 26:1, KJV Amplified Bible).
The obelisk was first used by the Egyptians to house the spirit of the Sun god Ra.2 According to Wikipedia:
Obelisks were a prominent part of the architecture of the ancient Egyptians, who placed them in pairs at the entrance of temples. ... The obelisk symbolized the sun God Ra... It was also thought that the God existed within the structure.
The obelisk is also a symbol used in Freemasonry. Critics of Freemasonry point out that the obelisk is linked to the Egyptian god Osiris and interpreted as representing Osiris’ phallus. Dr. Cathy Burns claims that the obelisk is an occult symbol representing "Baal’s organ of reproduction."3
Perhaps the best-known obelisk appears at the Vatican in the center of Saint Peter's Basilica (shown on the left) which was brought from Heliopolis, Egypt.
In the Bible, the obelisk was used in Baal worship. In other words, it was a form of idol. God disapproves of his people making or using idols: "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land" (Lev. 26:1). In one Old Testament account, the priests of God killed the Baal worshipers on God's orders, and their obelisks were subsequently destroyed by the priests:4
King Jehu said to the guards and to the officers, 'Go in and slay them; let none escape'. And they smote them with the sword; and the guards before the king threw their bodies out, and went into the inner dwelling of the house of Baal. They brought out the obelisks [pillars] of the house of Baal and burned them (2 Kings 10:26, Amplified Bible).
Dr. Cathy Burns describes how God commanded the Israelites to destroy heathen obelisks:
When the children of Israel would forsake God, they turned to worshipping idols. One of the idols they worshipped was the obelisk. God had specifically forbidden them to do so ...They were also told that, when they went into pagan nations, they 'shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars (obelisks) and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods and destroy them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God'. Many other such warnings are also in the Bible. The following references use the same Hebrew word for 'pillar' (obelisk) but it is translated as 'images'. See: Exodus 23:24; 34:13 Deuteronomy 7:5; 16:22; 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 10:26-27; 17:10; 18:4; 23:14; 2 Chronicles 14:3; 31:1; Hosea 10:1-2; and Micah 5:13 ... The Bible clearly states, 'Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you' (2 Corinthians 6:17).5
Conclusion
It is quite unsettling that a symbol associated with the Egyptian Sun god, Freemasonry, the Vatican, and Baal worship, would be placed upon the burial site of James and Ellen White.