Diet and Spirituality
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have preserved to yourselves a better condition of physical health, and
a greater degree of intellectual strength to appreciate eternal truths;
you would have a clearer brain to weigh the evidences of truth, and
would be better prepared to give to others a reason of the hope that is
in you.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:404, 1870
67. Some have sneered at this work of reform, and have said it was
all unnecessary; that it was an excitement to divert minds from present
truth. They have said that matters were being carried to extremes.
Such do not know what they are talking about. While men and women
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professing godliness are diseased from the crown of their head to the
soles of their feet, while their physical, mental, and moral energies
are enfeebled through gratification of depraved appetite and excessive
labor, how can they weigh the evidences of truth, and comprehend
the requirements of God? If their moral and intellectual faculties
are beclouded, they cannot appreciate the value of the atonement or
the exalted character of the work of God, nor delight in the study of
His word. How can a nervous dyspeptic be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in
him, with meekness and fear? How soon would such a one become
confused and agitated, and by his diseased imagination be led to view
matters in altogether a wrong light, and by a lack of that meekness
and calmness which characterized the life of Christ, be caused to
dishonor his profession while contending with unreasonable men?
Viewing matters from high religious standpoint, we must be thorough
reformers in order to be Christlike.
I saw that our heavenly Father has bestowed upon us the great
blessing of light upon the health reform, that we may obey the claims
which He has upon us, and glorify Him in our bodies and spirits, which
are His, and finally stand without fault before the throne of God. Our
faith requires us to elevate the standard, and take advance steps. While
many question the course pursued by other health reformers, they,
as reasonable men, should do something themselves. Our race is in
a deplorable condition, suffering from disease of every description.
Many have inherited disease, and are great sufferers because of the
wrong habits of their parents; and yet they pursue the same wrong
course in regard to themselves and their children which was pursued
toward them. They are ignorant in regard to themselves. They are