Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

Early Light on Basic Health Principles

The vision was a comprehensive one, taking in many features in the conduct of church members, including their proper attire and cleanliness, both of person and home: 1BIO 291.3

I then saw a lack of cleanliness among Sabbathkeepers. I saw that God would have a clean and holy people, a people that He can delight [in]. I saw the camp must be cleansed or the Lord would pass by and see the uncleanness of the children of Israel and would not go forth with their armies to battle, but would turn from them in displeasure, and our enemies would triumph over us, and we left weak in shame and disgrace. 1BIO 291.4

I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy and unclean person as a Christian. His frown was upon such. Our souls, bodies, and spirits are to be presented blameless by Jesus to His Father, and unless we are clean in person and pure in heart, we cannot be presented blameless to God.... 1BIO 291.5

I saw that the house of God had been desecrated by the carelessness of parents, with their children, and by the untidiness and uncleanness there. I saw that these things should meet with an open rebuke, and if there was not a change immediately in some that profess the truth in these things, they should be put out of the camp.—Ibid. 1BIO 291.6

This revealing vision brought matters still closer home: 1BIO 291.7

I then saw the appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared, and that which is lavished upon the appetite should be put in the treasury of the Lord.... Pride and idols must be laid aside. I saw rich food destroyed the health of the bodies and was ruining the constitution, was destroying the mind, and was a great waste of means.

I saw some who were sickly among the saints, made themselves so by indulging the appetite. If we wish good health we must take special care of the health God has given us, deny the unhealthy appetite, eat more coarse food with little grease. Then you can consistently ask God's blessing upon such food as is congenial with your natures. We must pray as did Solomon for food convenient for us, and act accordingly, and God will bless us.... There are few who eat to the glory of God.—Ibid. 1BIO 292.1