Beginning of the End

Religion Promotes Health and Happiness

The things of nature speak to us of the Creator’s love. This world is not all sorrow and misery. “God is love” is written on every opening bud, on the petals of every flower, and on every blade of grass. There are flowers on the thistles, and thorns are hidden by roses. Everything in nature testifies to God’s desire to make His children happy. When He forbids something, it is not just to display His authority—He has the well-being of His children in view. He does not require them to give up anything that they would be better off keeping. BOE 302.5

The opinion that religion does not promote health or happiness is one of the most harmful errors. Scripture says: “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction.” (Proverbs 19:23). The words of wisdom “are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:22). BOE 302.6

True religion brings us into harmony with the laws of God, physical, mental, and moral. It teaches self-control, serenity, temperance. Religion enhances the mind, refines the taste, and sanctifies the judgment. Faith in God’s love and overruling guidance lightens the burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and contentment, whether one’s lot in life is high or low. Religion tends to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens a never-failing fountain of happiness. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best. BOE 303.1

We may profitably study the physical as well as the religious training in the schools of the Hebrews. There is a close relationship between the mind and the body. In order to reach a high moral and intellectual standard, we must obey the laws that control our physical being. BOE 303.2

And now, as in the days of Israel, every young person should learn some type of manual labor. Young men and women should be taught to work, even if they could be certain of never needing to resort to manual labor for support. Without physical exercise, no one can have vigorous health. The discipline of well-regulated labor is essential to a strong and active mind and a noble character. BOE 303.3

Every student should devote a portion of each day to active work. This would shield the youth from many evil and degrading practices that often result from being lazy. Work is in harmony with the primary purpose of education. BOE 303.4

If young people see the tender love the Father in heaven has offered to them, and the dignity and honor to which He calls them—even to become the sons and daughters of God—thousands will firmly turn away from selfish aims and pleasures that have held their attention until then. They will learn to hate sin, not merely because of the hope of reward or fear of punishment, but from a sense of its basic evil. BOE 303.5

God does not ask the youth to lower their sights. By the grace of God they are to set their goals higher than mere selfish and earthly interests—as much higher as the heavens are higher than the earth. BOE 303.6

And the education begun in this life will continue in the life to come. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). We will reach the fullness of joy and blessing in eternity. Only eternity can reveal the glorious destiny to which men and women, restored to God’s image, may achieve. BOE 303.7