 The early Adventists emphasized the concept of "present truth"—see (NKJV).James White explained, “The church [has] ever had a present truth.The present truth now, is that which shows present duty, and the right position for us…” ”Present truth is "present" truth, and not future truth, and the Word as a lamp shines brightly where we "stand", and not so plainly on the path in the distance.” Ellen White pointed out that “present truth, which is a test to the people of this generation, was not a test to the people of generations far back.” The founders of the SDA church had a dynamic concept of what they called "present truth", opposed to creedal rigidity, and had an openness to new theological understandings that built upon the "landmark" doctrines, or Pillars of Adventism that had made them a people.