Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]

MR No. 448—“Spirit of Prophecy and Adultery, Divorce, Remarriage, and Church Membership” (Available from White Estate)

MR No. 449—“Ministers and Workers Who Have Violated the Seventh Commandment” (Available from White Estate)

MR No. 450—Christian Leadership

David writes: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Every movement of the vital organs is the handiwork of God our Creator, and if the human agent will not interfere, the Lord will do His work wisely and well. All that He requires is cooperation with Him, that there may be no disorder in the human mechanism. God would be recognized as the Author of our being. That life He has given us is not to be trifled with. Recklessness in the bodily habits reveals a recklessness of moral character. 7MR 133.1

The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for the advancement of growth in grace, an even temper. If food is given to the stomach which will prove a tax to it, it will surely result in perverting the finer feelings of the heart. The stomach has a controlling influence upon the whole being, and has everything to do with the health of the whole body. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of a moral character will be hindered. The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach. Erroneous eating and drinking will result in erroneous thinking and acting.—Manuscript 113, 1898, 3. (“Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice,” September 8, 1898.) 7MR 133.2

Should a minister of the flock engage in worldly speculation? I wish you to closely examine yourselves, to see whether you are on the gaining or losing side in spiritual and moral power. When in your business of selling property, in your eagerness to make a sale, do you not sometimes keep back some things that are unfavorable, and do you not exaggerate in praise of the property, in order to place the matter in a favorable light? When this is done, the conscience is violated, and the tongue utters guile. There is need that the conscience shall be kept pure and undimmed in every transaction that you make, or there will be so much glitter and attraction placed upon property that you are handling, that the purchaser is deceived. 7MR 133.3

God wants men is His service, under His banner, to be strictly honest, unimpeachable in character, that their tongues shall not utter a semblance of untruth. The tongue must be true, the eyes must be true, the actions wholly and entirely such as God can commend. We are living in the sight of a holy God, who solemnly declares, “I know thy works.” The divine eye is ever upon us. We cannot cover one act of unjust deal from God. The witness of God to our every action is a truth which but few realize.—Letter 41, 1888, p. 2. (To “Brethren and Sisters at Fresno,” July 7, 1888.) 7MR 134.1

Released November 10, 1975.