Healthful Living

Chapter 9—Health Reform

Light Given

109. The Lord has given his people a message in regard to health reform. This light has been shining upon their pathway for thirty years, and the Lord cannot sustain his servants in a course which will counteract it.... Can he be pleased when half the workers laboring in a place teach that the principles of health reform are as closely allied to the third angel's message as the arm is to the body, to have their co-workers, by their practise, teach principles that are entirely opposite? ... The light which God has given upon health reform cannot be trifled with without injury to those who attempt it; and no man can hope to succeed in the work of God while, by precept and example, he acts in opposition to the light which God has sent.—Special Testimonies, Series A 7:40. HL 32.1

110. No man, woman, or child who fails to use all the powers God has given him can retain his health. He cannot conscientiously keep the commandments of God. He cannot love God supremely and his neighbor as himself.—Unpublished Testimonies, September 17, 1897. HL 32.2

111. We begin to comprehend better the light given years ago,—that health reform principles would be as an entering wedge to be followed by a religious influence.—Unpublished Testimonies, November 19, 1895. HL 32.3

112. Your interest and effort are to be given, not to the health question alone, but to making known the truths for these last times, truths that are deciding the destiny of souls.—Unpublished Testimonies, May 29, 1896. HL 33.1

Common Sense in Health Reform

113. There is real common sense in health reform.—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 57. HL 33.2

114. The principles of health reform have the highest authority, and deserve a wider sphere than has yet been given them by many who profess present truth.—Unpublished Testimonies, November 8, 1896. HL 33.3

115. God's way is to make man something he is not; God's plan is to set man to work in reformatory lines; then he will learn by experience how long he has pampered fleshly appetites, and ministered to his own temperament, bringing weakness upon himself.—Unpublished Testimonies, October 12, 1896. HL 33.4

116. There are those who have stood directly in the way of the advance of health reform. They have held the people back by their indifferent or depreciatory remarks, and their supposed pleasantries and jokes.... Had all walked unitedly in the light, from the time it was first given on the subject, there would have been an army of sensible arguments employed to vindicate the work of God. But it has only been by the most aggressive movements that any advance has been made.... HL 33.5

Duty of Ministers

The ministers of our land should become intelligent upon health reform. They need to become acquainted with the science of physiology. Then they will be intelligent in regard to the laws that govern physical life and their bearings upon the health of mind and soul, and will be able to speak correctly upon this subject. In their obedience to physical laws they are to hold forth the word of life to the people, and lead up higher and still higher in the work of reform.—Unpublished Testimonies, January 11, 1897. HL 33.6

117. Blindness mingles with the want of moral courage to deny your appetite, to lift the cross, which means to take up the very duties that cut across the natural appetites and passions.—Unpublished Testimonies, November 5, 1896. HL 34.1

118. Many have misinterpreted health reform, and have received perverted ideas of what constitutes right living.—The Youth's Instructor, May 31, 1894. HL 34.2

119. Nature's path is the road God marks out, and it is broad enough for any Christian.—Testimonies for the Church 3:63. HL 34.3

Avoid Extremes

120. Health reformers, above all others, should be careful to shun extremes.—Testimonies for the Church 2:538. HL 34.4

121. All are bound by the most sacred obligations to God to heed the sound philosophy and genuine experience which he is now giving them in reference to health reform. He designs that the great subject of health reform shall be agitated, and the public mind deeply stirred to investigate.—Testimonies for the Church 3:162. HL 34.5

122. Do not catch hold of isolated ideas, and make them a test, criticising others whose practise may not agree with your opinion; but study the subject broadly and deeply.—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 119, 120. HL 34.6

123. The lack of stability in regard to the principles of health reform is a true index of their character and their spiritual strength.—Testimonies for the Church 2:481. HL 34.7

124. When we adopt the health reform, we should adopt it from a sense of duty, not because somebody else has adopted it.—Testimonies for the Church 2:371. HL 34.8

The Educational Process

125. In reforms we would better come one step short of the mark than go one step beyond it. And if there is error at all, let it be on the side next to the people.... We must go no faster than we can take those with us whose consciences and intellects are convinced of the truths we advocate. We must meet the people where they are.... But we should be very cautious not to advance too fast, lest we be obliged to retrace our steps.... If we come to persons who have not been enlightened in regard to health reform, and present our strongest positions at first, there is danger of their becoming discouraged as they see how much they have to give up, so that they will make no effort to reform. We must lead the people along patiently and gradually, remembering the hole of the pit from which we were digged.—Testimonies for the Church 3:20, 21. HL 35.1

126. The greatest objection to health reform is that this people do not live it out.—Testimonies for the Church 2:486. HL 35.2

127. Guilt rests upon us who as a people have had much light, because we have not appreciated or improved the light given upon health reform.... This is not a matter to be trifled with, to be passed off with a jest.—The Medical Missionary, 216. HL 35.3