The Story of our Health Message

By Precept and Example

The duty to elevate by precept and example the principles of temperance and of health reform, by giving them a place with other saving truths, as an integral part of the message to prepare a people for Christ’s coming—this is an outstanding feature of the vision relating to health, which was given at Otsego. The light that came resulted in reforms in the White household, and that light was to be passed on to others as a solemn obligation divinely laid upon them. SHM 79.2

In this memorable vision there was a presentation of basic principles which, although now established and accepted as scientific, were in advance of the general knowledge of the time. But the greatest value of the revelation lay not primarily in the enunciation of correct health principles. As has been pointed out, there were by 1863 various persons who were teaching reforms in living and in the care of the sick. The outstanding contribution of the instruction that came through the Testimonies is the recognition that it is a part of religious duty to care for the body temple. Elder J. H. Waggoner, in clarifying this point, well said: SHM 79.3

“We do not profess to be pioneers in the general principles of the health reform. The facts on which this movement is based have been elaborated, in a great measure, by reformers, physicians, and writers on physiology and hygiene, and so may be found scattered through the land. But we do claim that by the method of God’s choice it has been more clearly and powerfully unfolded, and is thereby producing an effect which we could not have looked for from any other means. SHM 79.4

“As mere physiological and hygienic truths, they might be studied by some at their leisure, and by others laid aside as of little consequence; but when placed on a level with the great truths of the third angel’s message by the sanction and authority of God’s Spirit, and so declared to be the means whereby a weak people may be made strong to overcome, and our diseased bodies cleansed and fitted for translation, then it comes to us as an essential part of present truth, to be received with the blessing of God, or rejected at our peril.”—The Review and Herald, August 7, 1866. SHM 80.1