“I'd Like To Ask Sister White ...”

Mother And Daddy Talk About Health Reform. Is This Important?

The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel’s message and is just as closely connected with it as are the arm and hand with the human body. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body. ²¹ LASW 133.1

The great object of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and body. All the laws of nature—which are the laws of God—are designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come. ²² LASW 133.2

There is real common sense in health reform. People cannot all eat the same things. Some articles of food that are wholesome and palatable to one person, may be hurtful to another. Some cannot use milk, while others can subsist upon it. For some, dried beans and peas are wholesome, while others cannot digest them. So it is impossible to make an unvarying rule by which to regulate everyone’s dietetic habits. Investigate your habits of diet. Do not neglect or abuse the body, and thus unfit it to render to God that service which is His due. ²³ LASW 133.3

More than forty years ago the Lord gave us special light on health reform, but how are we walking in that light? It is our duty to understand the principles of health reform. On the subject of temperance we should be in advance of all other people. When the message of health reform first came to me, I was weak and feeble, subject to frequent fainting spells. I was pleading with God for help, and He opened before me the great subject of health reform. He instructed me that those who are keeping His commandments must be brought into sacred relationship to Himself, and that by temperance in eating and drinking they must keep mind and body in the most favorable condition for service. This light has been a great blessing to me. I took my stand as a health reformer, knowing that the Lord would strengthen me. I have better health today, notwithstanding my age, than I had in my younger days. ²⁴ LASW 133.4

Health reform means something to us, and we must not belittle it by narrow views and practices. We must be true to our convictions of right. Daniel was blessed because he was steadfast in doing what he knew to be right, and we shall be blessed if we seek to honor God with full purpose of heart. ²⁵ LASW 134.1

Bible Study And Prayer

Ellen Harmon studied her Bible and prayed much. At times she spent most of the night talking with her heavenly Father. On two occasions in a dream she seemed to see Jesus and His angels. At other times she seemed to be working to win souls to Him. These things were very real to her, and she became troubled. LASW 135.1

Ellen’s mother, knowing of these two unusual dreams, finally said, “Ellen, why don’t you talk with Elder Stockman? I’m sure he can help you.” So Ellen went to this faithful minister. When she finished telling him of her problems and of her unusual prayer experiences, he placed his hand upon her head and said, “Ellen, you are only a child. Jesus must be preparing you for some special work.” He told her to go home, to trust in Jesus, and not to worry or be afraid. Ellen later wrote, “From Elder Stockman, I obtained more knowledge on the subject of God’s love and pitying tenderness, than from all the sermons to which I had ever listened.” LASW 135.2

It was but a step thereafter for Ellen to advance to a sweet closeness with God. Her life of prayer and Bible study and her obedience to Him prepared her well to become God’s special messenger to His people for these closing days of time. LASW 135.3