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Counsels on Diet and Foods
589. I cannot see but that you are trying your best to live out the
principles of health reform. Study economy in everything, but do not
withhold from the diet food which the system needs. With regard to
the nut foods, there are many who cannot eat them. If your husband
enjoys dairy butter, let him eat it until he is convinced that this is not
best for his health.—
Letter 104, 1901
Caution Against Extremes
590. There is danger that in presenting the principles of health
reform some will be in favor of bringing in changes that would be
for the worse instead of for the better. Health reform must not be
urged in a radical manner. As the situation now is, we cannot say
that milk and eggs and butter should be entirely discarded. We must
be careful to make no innovations, because under the influence of
extreme teaching there are conscientious souls who will surely go to
extremes. Their physical appearance will injure the cause of health
reform; for few know how to properly supply the place of that which
they discard.—
Letter 98, 1901
591. While warnings have been given regarding the dangers of
disease through butter, and the evil of the free use of eggs by small
children, yet we should not consider it a violation of principle to use
eggs from hens that are well cared for and suitably fed. Eggs contain
properties that are remedial agencies in counteracting certain poisons.
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Some, in abstaining from milk, eggs, and butter, have failed to
supply the system with proper nourishment, and as a consequence have
become weak and unable to work. Thus health reform is brought into
disrepute. The work that we have tried to build up solidly is confused
with strange things that God has not required, and the energies of the
church are crippled. But God will interfere to prevent the results of
these too-strenuous ideas. The gospel is to harmonize the sinful race. It
is to bring the rich and poor together at the feet of Jesus.—
Testimonies
for the Church 9:162, 1909
592. The poor say, when health reform is presented to them, “What
shall we eat? We cannot afford to buy the nut foods.” As I preach the
gospel to the poor, I am instructed to tell them to eat that food which
is most nourishing. I cannot say to them, “You must not eat eggs or
milk or cream. You must use no butter in the preparation of food.” The