Ellen White's Perspective on Village and Rural Living

Ellen White does not say it is bad to live in a little village; in fact, she highlights that Jesus Himself lived in a small mountain village during His childhoodSJ 29.1. While she strongly warns against the spiritual and physical perils of large, crowded cities, she often classifies villages and rural districts as appropriate places for God's people to shine as lightsMTC 9.4+1.

The Benefits of Rural and Village Life 🏡

Living in smaller, rural settings provides a more wholesome environment for families to grow and thrive.

• Wholesome Environment: Moving to the country or smaller districts allows children to come into direct contact with God's works in natureLDE 99.3.

• Health and Peace: The country offers quiet, peace, and purity, which contrast with the turmoil, crime, and foulness of the cityCL 19.1.

• Spiritual Growth: Away from the world's corrupting customs, individuals find that God's presence becomes more real and the mind responds to healing, life-giving powerCL 19.1.

• Self-Sufficiency: In rural districts, families can raise their own fruit and vegetables, which will be a blessing as buying and selling become more difficult in the futureLDE 99.3.

Missionary Opportunities in Villages 📖

Rather than seeing villages as places to avoid, they are described as essential fields for missionary labor.

• Spreading the Truth: Tracts, papers, and books should be circulated in all cities and villages in the landCH 466.2.

• Being a Light: God designs for His people to be scattered in towns, cities, and villages as lights amidst the darkness of the worldCL 21.4.

• Transplanting for Growth: Just as trees flourish when they have room to grow, members of large churches are encouraged to scatter into unentered places—including villages—to become strong and vigorousCL 21.4.

Guidelines for Choosing a Home 📍

When deciding where to live, spiritual prosperity and the welfare of the family should be the primary considerations.

• Avoid Crowding: It was never God’s purpose for people to be huddled together in terraces and tenements12MR 30.1.

• Seek "Elbow Room": God wants His people to live where they have "elbow room" and can delight in the beautiful things of His creation12MR 30.1.

• Follow Divine Counsel: Every move should be made with careful, prayerful study, avoiding rashness or excitementCL 25.2+1.

• A Heavenly Atmosphere: By choosing rural or village settings, we can bring something of the atmosphere of the heavenly country into our earthly homes Hebrews 11:16CL 3.1.

The Lord's instruction is to walk in the ways He has commanded so that it may be well with us and our days may be prolonged in the land Deuteronomy 5:32-33. We are encouraged to seek the Lord for direction, just as Jacob did when he was instructed to return to the land of his fathers and his kindredSR 90.2.