The Pioneers

What did the pioneers believe?

Hear the founders of the Advent movement in their own words on God, Christ and the Spirit.

Read pioneer statementsWho were the pioneers?

Primary sources

Let the pioneers speak

Ellen White wrote that the standard-bearers who have fallen in death are to speak through the reprinting of their writings.

This section gathers the statements of the men and women who built the movement, so readers can examine what they actually taught.

In their own words

Statements are presented as the pioneers wrote them, not as later summaries.

Many voices

From William Miller and Joseph Bates to James and Ellen White, Uriah Smith and A. T. Jones.

Ready to explore

Browse biographies and statements from about two dozen pioneers.

Where to start

Meet the Founders

Biography

William Miller

1782 – 1849. The farmer whose Bible study sparked the Advent awakening.

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Biography

Joseph Bates

1792 – 1872. A former sea captain who championed the seventh-day Sabbath.

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Biography

James Springer White

1821 – 1881. An early publisher, editor and co-founder of the church.

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Biography

Uriah Smith

1832 – 1903. Long-time editor of the Review and Herald and author of Daniel and the Revelation.

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The guiding principle

Primary Sources Come First.

Reading what a pioneer actually wrote is more reliable than reading what someone later says he wrote.

We invite every reader to compare any summary, including ours, with the pioneers’ own writings and with the Bible.

In their own words

The standard-bearers who have fallen in death are to speak through the reprinting of their writings. (Ellen G. White)

One movement

A Movement Built Together

No single voice built the Advent movement. Study them together.

The Advent awakening

Miller and the early Adventists called attention to the soon return of Christ.

Sabbath and Scripture

Bates, White and others joined Sabbath-keeping to a careful study of the Bible.

Organization and mission

James and Ellen White, Uriah Smith and J. N. Andrews helped organize a church to carry the message.

Featured study

The Pioneers

Who Were the Adventist Pioneers?

A chart of the pioneers by birth year and death year, from William Miller to Judson Washburn.

View the chart →