Is the earth round or flat?

What truly matters is focusing on spiritual growth and building a perfect character, rather than debating whether the physical world is round or flat 🌍✨.

Whether the world is round or flat will not save a soul, but whether individuals believe and obey God means everything21MR 413.2. Our primary work is to teach the Third Angel’s Message and to seek true godliness, heart holiness, and freedom from all selfishness5LtMs, Lt 43, 1887, par. 4+1.

Focusing on the Divine Commission

The question of the earth's shape is a distraction from the essential task God has given us5LtMs, Lt 43, 1887, par. 4+1.

• When Christ gave the commission for ministry, the round or flat world was not included in the message21MR 414.2+2.

• The Lord has taken care of His world here below better than any human agency could, and until a message regarding this specific issue comes from God, silence upon that question is eloquence21MR 414.2+1.

• The great question we must earnestly inquire about is, "What shall I do that I may have everlasting life," and the answer is to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself Luke 10:25-2921MR 414.5+2.

The Need for a Round Character

Instead of agitating over the world’s physical shape, our whole focus should be on moral perfection21MR 414.5+1.

• The great need is not to solve the physical geometry of the world, but rather to build a character that is round and perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect, moving away from having too much of a "flat character"19LtMs, Ms 155, 1904, par. 79.

• Satan is eager to lead the minds of men to dwell upon theories or hobbies—such as the flat-world theory—so that they shall not be engaged in giving the solemn message for this time5LtMs, Lt 43, 1887, par. 4+2.

• An honest deacon who believes the world is flat may still be a godly Christian and devotional in all his exercises, as this belief has little to do with religion or practical godliness, nor does it deny the worth of the atonementARSH January 28, 1862, page 68.14.

Historical Views of the Earth

Throughout history, there has been controversy over the earth’s form, but this has been tied up with religious dogma and false teachingSITI January 11, 1899, page 1.9+1.

• The Catholic Church historically insisted that the earth was flatSITI January 11, 1899, page 1.3+3.

• It was by believing that the earth is round, against the dogma of the Catholic Church, that Columbus made his famous discoveriesSITI January 11, 1899, page 1.3.

• All except the Catholic world knew that the earth is round prior to Columbus’s voyages, but the church fathers, including Augustine, brought in the dogma that the earth should be flatSITI January 11, 1899, page 1.3+1.

• The Bible itself speaks of God sitting upon the circle of the earth Isaiah 40:22.

• The argument that the world is round prevents observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is contradicted by the fact that people keep the first day of the week in every part of the round worldSITI August 18, 1887, page 502.6+1.

It is better to pray and humble the soul before God and let the world, round or flat, be just as God has made it21MR 413.2+1. We must try most earnestly, by faithful continuance in well-doing, to seek for a clear title in the inheritance of the earth made new21MR 413.2+1.