1971 . . .

The 700-page tome, Movement of Destiny, by LeRoy E. Froom, published in 1971, holds a unique place in Adventist annals. If and when this work is carefully analyzed it will prove to be an embarrassing piece of unreliable history. Yet it came from the Review and Herald Publishing Association with promotional material that begs comparison. At the 1970 General Conference in Atlantic City, a 32-page promotional booklet entitled, “The Fascinating Story of Movement of Destiny,” was distributed to all attendees. Filling over six pages were nineteen glowing recommendations by prominent church leaders.

The author’s own acclamations are profuse. He claims his work is a “comprehensive portrayal—one that would honor God and exalt truth,” “enlighten,” “complete and forthright,” “documented,” “comprehensive,” “impartial,” “true and trustworthy,” “faithful to fact,” “unswerving in fidelity,” “candid and undeviating,” “correcting misconceptions,”—all of which makes it the most highly acclaimed book in our denominational history.

The church is told that Minneapolis “introduced a distinctly new epoch, leading to an advanced experience … a new awaking—a period of revival and reformation. … It aroused the Movement from the complacency of Laodiceanism” (p. 267). A great assumption!

He passes judgment on those who in reading our history recognize that it was leadership primarily who rejected the message in 1888 (“in a great degree”). He proclaims that those who express this fact are doing a work which “actually constitutes an impeachment of the dead.” From such persons “an explicit confession is due the church” (p. 358).

(Quoted from article: "Do We Love the Truth About "1888"? by Donald K. Short, September / October 2004).