Ellen White's Theory of Devolution

By Dirk Anderson, April, 2025

In the tumultuous decades surrounding the American Civil War, a profound anxiety gripped many religious and reform-minded thinkers: that the human race was not evolving upward, but instead devolving—physically, morally, and spiritually. While industrial progress and scientific discovery painted a picture of human advancement, a countercurrent of fear warned that modern society was softening the body, corrupting the soul, and allowing the weak, immoral, and impure to multiply. Health reformers condemned gluttony, sexual excess, and stimulants like meat, spices, and tobacco as signs of a race losing its God-ordained vitality.

Layered into this concern was a racially charged fear of amalgamation—the intermarriage of Whites with Blacks or Native Americans. Some claimed this would degrade the physical and spiritual integrity of the White race. Combined with the emerging theories of eugenic thought, these religiously driven fears of degeneration were adopted and amplified by the Seventh-day Adventist [SDA] prophet, Ellen G. White.

Ellen White's theory of the devolution of humanity

Ellen White on the Degenerating Race

In the nineteenth century, many were enamored with the myth that the human race devolved from a race of antediluvian beings of great height and beauty. For example, in 1869, Haywood Williams Guion wrote that the "sons of Adam" were "twice as tall and broad, as the present races."¹ Likewise, Ellen White wrote:

As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of noble height, and of beautiful symmetry. He was more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and was well proportioned.²

Later in the same book, Mrs. White gives a visionary account of the first resurrection, describing how different the early humans appeared from later generations:

Those who lived before the flood, come forth with their giant-like stature, more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and well proportioned. The generations after the flood were less in stature. There was a continual decrease through successive generations, down to the last that lived upon the earth. The contrast between the first wicked men who lived upon the earth, and those of the last generation, was very great. The first were of lofty height and well proportioned—the last came up as they went down, a dwarfed, feeble, deformed race.³

Thus, from Mrs. White's accounts one can learn that early humans were beautiful giants, while the last generations of humans were dwarfed and deformed.

In 1862, Mrs. White warned of a rapid degeneration of the human race:

The human family was presented before me, enfeebled. Every generation has been growing weaker; and disease of every form visits the human race. Thousands of poor mortals are dragging out a miserable existence. Some with deformed, sickly bodies, shattered nerves, and gloomy minds. Satan's power upon the human family increases. If the Lord should not soon come and destroy his power, the earth would soon be depopulated.⁴

In Ellen White's view, if the Lord did not return quickly, the human race would degenerate to the point of extinction.

In 1870, Mrs. White identified masturbation as the cause of the degeneration of humanity:

Moral pollution has done more to degenerate the race than every other evil. It is practiced to an alarming extent, and brings on disease of almost every description. Even very small children, infants, being born with natural irritability of the sexual organs, find relief momentarily in handling them, which only increases the irritation, and leads to a repetition of the act, until a habit is established which increases with their growth. These children are generally puny and dwarfed...⁵

In 1859, Horace Mann wrote in his Inaugural and Dedicatory Address, a book later discovered in Ellen White's private library, the following:

Man came from the hand of God...so surcharged with vital force, that it took more than two thousand years of the combined abominations of appetite and ignorance; it took successive ages of outrageous excess and debauchery, to drain off his electric energies and make him even accessible to disease...

...if the race had not been created with ten times more vital force than it now possesses, its known violations of all the laws of Health and Life would, long ere this, have extinguished it altogether.⁶

In 1872, Mrs. White adopted and expounded upon Mann's theory of vital force draining off over two thousands years, culminating in the advent of disease. However, she increased Adam's vital strength to twenty times that of the men in her era:

God endowed man with so great vital force that he has withstood the accumulation of disease, brought upon the race in consequence of perverted habits, and he has continued for six thousand years. This fact of itself is enough to evidence to us the strength and electrical energy God gave to man at his creation. It took more than two thousand years of crime, and indulgence of base passions, to bring bodily disease upon the race to any great extent. If Adam, at his creation, had not been endowed with twenty times as much vital force as men now have, the race, with present habits of living in violation of natural law, would have become extinct. At the period of the first advent of Christ, so rapidly had the race degenerated that an accumulation of disease pressed upon that generation, bringing in a tide of woe, and weight of misery inexpressible. The wretched condition of the world at the present time was presented before me. Since Adam's fall, the race has been degenerating.⁷

Mrs. White explained that in addition to becoming more diseased, the human race was becoming weaker and uglier:

I was informed that the inhabitants of earth had been degenerating, losing their strength and comeliness. ... Some of those raised were more noble in appearance and form than others. I was informed that those who lived in the days of Noah and Abraham were more like the angels in form, in comeliness and strength. But every generation has been growing weaker, and more subject to disease, and their lives of shorter duration.⁸

As proof of the degeneracy of her generation, Mrs. White noted that saw hereditary degeneration everywhere she looked:

Everywhere we go we see imbruted souls, bodies weak and ill-formed through hereditary degeneration, through wrong habits in eating and drinking, through the use of tobacco and liquor.⁹

Mrs. White attributed the reduction in life span and height of humans living after the flood to them eating animal food:

After the flood the people ate largely of animal food. God saw that the ways of man were corrupt, and that he was disposed to exalt himself proudly against his Creator, and to follow the inclinations of his own heart. And he permitted that long-lived race to eat animal food to shorten their sinful lives. Soon after the flood the race began to rapidly decrease in size, and in length of years.¹⁰

In addition to humans degenerating in size and length of years for eating animal food, Mrs. White saw that "beasts have degenerated [in] size, and length of years."¹¹

Finally, near the end of her prophetic career, Mrs. White brought all her thoughts (or Mann's thoughts) together into a comprehensive statement on degeneracy:

Since the fall the tendency of the race has been continually downward, the effects of sin becoming more marked with every successive generation. But so great was the vitality with which man was endowed that the patriarchs from Adam to Noah, with a few exceptions, lived nearly a thousand years. Moses, the first historian, gives an account of social and individual life in the early days of the world's history; but we find no record that an infant was born blind, deaf, crippled, or imbecile. Not an instance is recorded of a death in infancy, childhood, or early manhood. ... At the time of Christ's first advent, humanity had so degenerated that many endured a terrible weight of misery; and not only the old but the middle-aged and the young were brought to the Saviour from all the country around, to be healed of their diseases. Still more deplorable is the condition of the human family at the present time. Diseases of every type have been developed. Thousands of poor mortals with deformed, sickly bodies and shattered nerves, are dragging out a miserable existence. The infirmities of the body affect the mind, and lead to gloom, doubt, and despair. Even infants in the cradle suffer from diseases resulting from the sins of their parents.¹²

Ellen White's arguments about human degeneracy can be defined as follows:

1. The human race has been degenerating since Adam, who was taller and more beautiful than current humans.
2. Disease was mostly non-existent before the flood and people were taller and more beautiful.
3. Degeneration is causing people to be shorter in height, live shorter lives, and have uglier appearances.
4. During the early years of earth's history, infants were not born blind, deaf, crippled or imbecile.
5. During the early years of earth's history, infants, children, and young adults did not die from disease.
6. Humanity had degenerated into a diseased state by the time of Jesus.
7. Every generation is getting weaker, with modern generations being the worst.
8. Degeneration is caused by masturbation, as well as gluttony, tobacco, and liquor.
9. If Christ does not return soon, the race will degenerate into extinction.
10. Eating animal food caused the human race to degenerate in size and longevity.
11. Even the animals have degenerated in size.

These ideas will be evaluated below for scientific accuracy.

Scientific Analysis of Ellen White's Degeneracy Statements

Statement 1: "He [Adam] was more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and was well proportioned. ... Those who lived before the flood... [were] more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth... The generations after the flood were less in stature. There was a continual decrease through successive generations... The first were of lofty height and well proportioned—the last came up as they went down, a dwarfed, feeble, deformed race."

Scientific Verdict: Invalid

Scientific understanding, based on fossil evidence, suggests that early hominins were generally smaller than modern humans, and human height has varied over time and across populations due to genetics, environment, and nutrition. While ancient myths speak of giants, there is no credible paleontological or archaeological evidence of a global population of humans consistently "more than twice as tall as men now living" existing before a global flood. Fossil records show a range of hominin sizes, but nothing consistently dwarfing modern human height to that extent across an entire population.

While there has been variation in human height throughout history in different populations due to factors like nutrition and disease, the idea of a continuous and dramatic decrease in stature from a giant-like size before the flood to a "dwarfed, feeble, deformed race" in the "last generation" is not supported by scientific findings. Human height is influenced by a complex interplay of genetics and environmental factors (especially nutrition during growth). Some populations have experienced increases in average height over the last century due to improved nutrition and healthcare. This does not fit Ellen White's false narrative of continuous decline from a vastly larger original size. Fossil evidence shows a more nuanced and geographically varied pattern of hominin and human size over time.

Scientific evidence from paleontology, anthropology, and human biology paints a very different picture of humanity, characterized by gradual change, adaptation, and variation, without evidence of a sudden appearance of giants followed by a continuous and dramatic decline into a "dwarfed, feeble, deformed race." Mrs. White's statements are mythological fiction, not scientific fact.

Statement 2: "It took more than two thousand years [after the birth of Adam] of crime, and indulgence of base passions, to bring bodily disease upon the race to any great extent."

Scientific Verdict: Entirely False

Studies of ancient human remains show evidence of various diseases long before the proposed timeframe. Skeletal remains reveal signs of arthritis, infections, trauma, and other health issues in pre-agricultural and early agricultural societies. Disease has been a part of the human experience for as long as humans have existed, driven by a multitude of factors far beyond "crime and indulgence of base passions."

Statement 3: "...the inhabitants of earth had been degenerating, losing their strength and comeliness. ...those who lived in the days of Noah and Abraham were more like the angels in form, in comeliness and strength. But every generation has been growing weaker, and more subject to disease, and their lives of shorter duration."

Scientific Verdict: Invalid

The idea of a continuous, divinely imposed degeneration of the entire human race in strength and appearance since Adam is not a scientific concept. Human populations have adapted to different environments over time, and average height and health have fluctuated due to factors like nutrition, disease prevalence, and lifestyle. In some periods and regions, average height has even increased in recent centuries due to improved living conditions (as indicated by modern studies on human height trends).

The notion that early humans like those in the time of Noah and Abraham were more "like the angels in form, in comeliness and strength" is a mythological belief but has no basis in paleontological or anthropological evidence. Fossil records show the physical characteristics of early Homo sapiens and other hominins and do not suggest an "angelic" form significantly different from later humans in terms of basic anatomy.

The claim of a continuous decrease in stature and lifespan across all generations is an oversimplification and contradicts scientific findings. Human height has shown complex patterns of variation over time and across populations, influenced by factors like nutrition and genetics. Lifespan has generally increased in many parts of the world in recent centuries due to advancements in medicine, sanitation, and living standards. While specific populations may have faced periods of decline due to disease or hardship, a universal, continuous degeneration as described is not supported.

In conclusion, the statement reflects a mythological viewpoint and a non-scientific understanding of human history, biology, and the causes of disease. Modern science, through fields like paleontology, anthropology, epidemiology, and genetics, provides a vastly different picture of human history and health.

Statement 4: "...in the early days of the world's history...we find no record that an infant was born blind, deaf, crippled, or imbecile."

Scientific Verdict: Inaccurate

The statement's claim of no record of congenital disabilities in Moses's account is an argument from silence and an overinterpretation of the text's scope. The text is selective in its details, focusing on aspects deemed significant for its theological and historical narrative. It is unreasonable to expect a detailed catalog of every birth defect or medical condition from that era within such a text. The absence of explicit mention does not equate to the absence of occurrence, especially when viewed through the lens of modern scientific understanding of biological development and the limitations of the early Genesis narrative as a comprehensive medical history.

Archaeological and textual evidence from ancient civilizations contradicts the idea that congenital disabilities did not exist in early human history:

• A burial site at Hierakonpolis (c. 3500 BC) included a man with spina bifida, a congenital condition.
• Egyptian statuary and tomb paintings depict dwarfs, some with achondroplasia, a form of congenital dwarfism.
• Some Sumerian omens describe children born with missing limbs or other abnormalities.

The claim that in early human history no infants were born blind, deaf, crippled, or with intellectual disabilities is historically inaccurate and scientifically unfounded. Early societies may not have written much about such births, but archaeology, ancient texts, and genetic science clearly show that such conditions existed from the beginning of human life.

Statement 5: "...in the early days of the world's history...not an instance is recorded of a death in infancy, childhood, or early manhood."

Scientific Verdict: Flawed

There is significant scientific evidence of infants, young people, and young adults dying from diseases during the period prior to 4000 BC. This evidence comes primarily from the field of paleopathology, the study of ancient diseases through the examination of human remains. Here is a summary of what paleopathology reveals:

• Skeletal Evidence: The bones and teeth of individuals who died in infancy, childhood, and young adulthood often show signs of various diseases. These can include:
  • Infections: Lesions on bones can indicate bacterial infections like tuberculosis or other systemic infections. While specific pathogens are harder to identify from very old remains without DNA evidence, the presence of periosteal reactions and other bone changes points to infectious processes.
  • Metabolic Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies: Conditions like porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia, characterized by porous lesions on the skull, are often linked to anemia, frequently caused by iron deficiency due to poor nutrition or parasitic infections, which would have affected individuals of all ages, including the young.  
  • Congenital Conditions: While harder to definitively diagnose in ancient remains, some skeletal abnormalities can suggest congenital diseases or developmental issues that could have led to early death.  
• Ancient DNA: Scientists have been able to extract and analyze ancient DNA from human remains dating back before 4000 BC. This has provided direct evidence of the presence of specific pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria causing tuberculosis), in individuals who lived during that period, including those who died young.  
• Coprolites (Fossilized Feces): Analysis of coprolites reveals the presence of parasites, which would have been a significant source of disease and mortality in ancient populations, particularly affecting the health of vulnerable individuals like infants and children.  
• Burial Sites: The age distribution of individuals found in ancient burial sites provides indirect evidence of infant and childhood mortality. A high proportion of burials of very young individuals suggests that infant and childhood death rates were significant, likely due to a combination of factors including disease, malnutrition, and environmental challenges.
• Specific Examples from Paleopathological Research:
  • Tuberculosis: Evidence of skeletal lesions consistent with tuberculosis has been found in human remains dating back to the Neolithic period (before 4000 BC) in various parts of the world, and DNA has confirmed the presence of M. tuberculosis in some of these ancient samples. This disease would have affected individuals of all ages.  
  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Skeletal markers of malnutrition, which would have increased susceptibility to disease and contributed to mortality in infants and children, are also found in pre-4000 BC remains.

In conclusion, the scientific evidence from paleopathology, including skeletal analysis, ancient DNA studies, and the examination of burial sites, strongly indicates that infants, young people, and young adults were indeed susceptible to and died from various diseases in the period prior to 4000 BC. The claim that no such deaths were recorded in the Bible's early history is due to the limited scope and theological focus of that text, not a reflection of actual prehistoric health conditions.

Statement 6: "At the time of Christ's first advent, humanity had so degenerated that many endured a terrible weight of misery; and not only the old but the middle-aged and the young were brought to the Saviour...to be healed of their diseases."

Scientific Verdict: Partially Correct

This statement is partially accurate in its description of the prevalence of disease but inaccurate in attributing it to a singular process of degeneration from creation.

Archaeological and paleontological records, along with historical accounts from the time of Christ, indicate that infectious diseases, malnutrition, and various ailments were indeed widespread among populations, including the young and middle-aged. Studies of human remains from the periods leading up to and during the first century A.D. show evidence of tuberculosis, leprosy, parasitic infections, and other conditions affecting individuals of all age groups. For example, research on tombs in the Jerusalem and Jericho areas reveals high rates of subadult deaths, especially infants, suggesting the presence of aggressive pathogens. The Gospels themselves describe numerous instances of Jesus healing people of various diseases, indicating that ailments were common in the population. Historical writings from the Roman Empire and Judea during this period also document the presence of various diseases and health challenges.

While disease was widespread in this era, paleontological records do not support a continuous degeneration of the human race in terms of inherent strength or resistance to disease from the time of creation to the time of Christ. Human populations have always been susceptible to diseases caused by pathogens, environmental factors, and genetic predispositions. Disease has been a constant companion to humanity throughout its history, long before the advent of Christ. Factors such as population density, sanitation, nutrition, and climate have always played significant roles in the prevalence and types of diseases experienced. The misery and disease prevalent during the time of Christ were likely due to a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, poor sanitation in densely populated areas, limited medical knowledge, and environmental conditions, rather than a singular process of human degeneration. Historical accounts even suggest that the health of lower-income masses suffered due to their inability to afford a balanced diet.

In conclusion, the statement accurately reflects the presence of widespread suffering and disease affecting people of all ages at the time of Christ's first advent. However, it incorrectly attributes this to a continuous "degeneration" of humanity from creation. Paleontological and historical evidence suggests that disease has been a persistent challenge for human populations throughout history.

Statement 7: "Every generation has been growing weaker..."

Scientific Verdict: Invalid

The statement is an oversimplification. While disease in various forms continues to affect humanity, the claim that "every generation has been growing weaker" is not supported by overall trends in lifespan and certain aspects of health in many parts of the world. Instead, human health trends are complex, with improvements in some areas and new challenges emerging in others. The types and prevalence of diseases have shifted, but disease itself remains a constant aspect of the human experience.

The following scientific facts refute the idea of the human race continually degenerating:

• Increased Lifespan: Over the past few centuries, and particularly since the Industrial Revolution, average human lifespan has dramatically increased in many parts of the world due to advancements in medicine, sanitation, nutrition, and public health. This indicates an overall increase in the health and resilience of populations, not a continuous weakening.
• Improved Nutrition and Healthcare: Modern generations, in many regions, benefit from better access to diverse and nutritious food, clean water, and advanced medical care, including vaccinations and treatments for previously deadly diseases. This has led to improved physical development and resistance to certain illnesses compared to past generations.
• Control of Infectious Diseases: While infectious diseases still exist, the ability to prevent and treat many of them has significantly improved compared to earlier centuries. Vaccinations have eradicated or drastically reduced the incidence of diseases like smallpox and polio. Antibiotics and antiviral medications combat bacterial and viral infections.
• Increased Average Height: In many developed countries, the average height of the population has increased over the last century, indicating better nutrition and overall health during growth.

Statement 8: "Moral pollution has done more to degenerate the race than every other evil. It is practiced to an alarming extent, and brings on disease of almost every description... We see imbruted souls, bodies weak and ill-formed through hereditary degeneration, through wrong habits in eating and drinking, through the use of tobacco and liquor."

Scientific Verdict: Partially Accurate

Blaming masturbation as the primary cause of racial degeneration and a wide range of diseases, is scientifically inaccurate and reflects outdated moralistic beliefs rather than established biological or medical understanding. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the claim that masturbation causes racial degeneration. The concept of "racial degeneration" itself is a discredited pseudoscientific idea from the 19th and early 20th centuries, often rooted in racist and eugenic ideologies. Masturbation is a normal and common sexual behavior across human populations and has no biological mechanism to cause a decline in the genetic quality or overall health of a "race." There is no scientific evidence linking masturbation to the vast majority of diseases. Modern medical understanding recognizes masturbation as a healthy and normal sexual expression that can even have some benefits, such as stress relief and improved sleep. It does not cause physical illnesses like infections, organ damage, or systemic diseases.

While there is no evidence that eating meat or spices can harm children, some evidence exists that a parent's tobacco and alcohol use can affect children. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens and mutagens (like benzopyrene) that can damage DNA in sperm and egg cells. Studies show that smoking can increase the risk of birth defects, low birth weight, and even certain inherited diseases in children. Alcohol abuse also affects sperm and egg quality, potentially altering the development of future offspring. Even if the DNA is not changed, both tobacco and alcohol can cause epigenetic changes—modifications that affect how genes are turned on or off. These epigenetic changes can be inherited, meaning the effects of the substance—not just the substance itself—can pass to the next generation. For example, a father's heavy alcohol use before conception has been linked to behavioral and developmental issues in children, even when the mother did not drink. If a pregnant woman drinks, her child may develop FASD, leading to lifelong intellectual, physical, and behavioral impairments. These are not reversible, and can affect multiple generations if those children later have kids of their own with the same vulnerabilities.

Statement 9: "If the Lord should not soon come and destroy his power, the earth would soon be depopulated."

Scientific Verdict: False

This 1862 prediction of near-term depopulation based on a perceived continuous weakening is not supported by scientific data or historical trends. Despite the presence of disease and suffering, the global human population has grown exponentially since 1862. At that time, world population was around 1.3 billion. In 2025, it was over 8 billion. Advancements in agriculture, medicine, and sanitation have consistently outpaced mortality rates on a global scale.

While pandemics and widespread diseases have caused significant mortality events throughout history, they have not led to the depopulation of the Earth. Human populations have shown resilience and the ability to recover and grow.

Current demographic projections, while acknowledging challenges like aging populations and varying birth rates in different regions, do not predict a near-term global depopulation. In fact, the global population is still projected to increase for several decades before potentially stabilizing or gradually declining in the very long term, and this is based on factors like fertility rates and mortality rates due to natural causes and disease.

The statement's assertion of a near-term depopulation is not only scientifically inaccurate but is also a false prophecy.

Statement 10: "And he permitted that long-lived race to eat animal food to shorten their sinful lives. Soon after the flood the race began to rapidly decrease in size, and in length of years."

Scientific Verdict: Wild Conjecture

There is no scientific evidence that a dietary shift from plant-based to animal-based consumption caused a dramatic or deliberate shortening of human life spans. Throughout human history, vegan diets (such as among the Hindus) are associated with shortened life spans. Many ancient groups (Aborigines of Australia, Innuit, people of the Caucasus Mountains) lived to long ages on animal diets. The Blue Zone Sardinians eat a moderate amount of goat, sheep, and pork, and still show remarkable longevity, especially among men, despite a slightly higher intake of meat. Icelanders eat a primarily animal food diet, and yet on average, they outlive vegan Seventh-day Adventists. Meta-analysis of studies comparing longevity on animal-based versus plant-based diets have found no considerable difference in lifespan for those on vegan diets.

Ellen White's statement is not supported by evidence in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, genetics, or nutritional science. It reflects a mythological view that was likely devised by her and other health reformers to reinforce their message that meat-eating was somehow dangerous. It lacks any scientific validity.

Statement 11: "...beasts have degenerated [in] size, and length of years."

Scientific Verdict: Incorrect

The fossil record shows a diverse array of animal sizes throughout history. There is no consistent pattern of all "beasts" becoming smaller since the origin of life or even since the appearance of early animal forms. Neither is there any evidence of a universal decrease in lifespan across all animal lineages since creation. While some specific animal populations might face shorter lifespans due to habitat degradation or other modern pressures, this is not indicative of a long-term trend of degeneration in lifespan across all animals. In fact, under favorable conditions (e.g., in captivity with veterinary care), some animals can live longer than their wild counterparts. There is no evidence of a consistent, downward trend across all animal life.

Conclusion

In light of the extensive scientific evidence reviewed, it becomes clear that Ellen White's pronouncements on degeneration are fundamentally at odds with established scientific understanding. Her assertions regarding the continuous degeneration of the human race from a state of initial perfection, the exaggerated stature and longevity of early humans, and the purported dangers of normal human behaviors like masturbation lack empirical support and contradict findings from fields such as paleontology, anthropology, biology, and medicine. When examined through a scientific lens, Ellen White's writings are demonstrably inaccurate and reflect the limited scientific knowledge and prevailing moralistic viewpoints of the 19th century rather than the robust and evidence-based conclusions of modern science.

More Examples of Ellen White's Plagiarism of Horace Mann on Degeneracy

Category: Mrs. White versus Science Myths

Please SHARE this using the social media icons below