"If Christians will keep the body in subjection, and bring all their appetites and passions under the control of enlightened conscience, feeling it a duty that they owe to God and to their neighbors to obey the laws which govern health and life, they will have the blessing of physical and mental vigor."—CounseIs on Diet and Foods, p. 65.
"Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and body. All the laws of nature—which are the laws of God—are designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come."—Ibid., p. 23.
"When we study this question in the fear of God, we shall learn that it is best, both for our physical health and for our spiritual advancement, to observe simplicity in diet."—Medical Ministry, p. 273.
"The spiritual experience is greatly affected by the way in which the stomach is treated. Eating and drinking in accordance with the laws of health promote virtuous actions."—Review and Herald, May 27, 1902.
"Only those who practise self-denial and self-sacrifice, living simple, healthful lives, will understand what constitutes the acceptable and perfect will of God."—Ibid., June 20, 1899.
"He who cherishes the light which God has given him upon health reform has an important aid in the work of becoming sanctified through the truth, and fitted for immortality."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 59, 60.
"If man will cherish the light that God in mercy gives him upon health reform, he may be sanctified through the truth and fitted for immortality."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 162.
"In order to render to God perfect service, we must have clear conceptions of His will. This will require us to use only healthful food, prepared in a simple manner, that the fine nerves of the brain be not injured, making it impossible for us to discern the value of the atonement, and the priceless worth of the cleansing blood of Christ."—Review and Herald, March 18, 1880.
"You should use the most simple food, prepared in the most simple manner, that the fine nerves of the brain be not weakened, benumbed, or paralyzed, making it impossible for you to discern sacred things, and to value the atonement."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 46.
"A religious life can be more successfully gained and maintained if meat is discarded." Medical Ministry, pp. 277, 278.
Right Arm to Protect the Body
"When the third angel's message is received in all its fulness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the Conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will work to serve and protect the body."—Review and Herald, June 20, 1899.
"Send out into the churches workers who will live the principles of health reform. Let those be sent who can see the necessity of self-denial in appetite, or they will be a snare to the church. See if the breath of life will not then come into our churches. A new element needs to be brought into the work."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 267.
"There are precious blessings and a rich experience to be gained if ministers will combine the presentation of the health question with all their labors in the churches. The people must have the light on health reform."—Gospel Workers, p. 231.
"There is no encouragement given to any of the sons or daughters of Adam that they may become victorious overcomers in the Christian warfare unless they decide to practice temperance in all things. If they do this, they will not fight as one that beateth the air."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 65.
"Abstemiousness in diet and control of all the passions will preserve the intellect and give mental and moral vigor, enabling men to bring all their propensities under the control of the higher powers and to discern between right and wrong, the sacred and the common."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 491.
"The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 64.
"Abstemiousness in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigor; it also aids in the control of the passions."—Ibid., p. 126.
"As our first parents lost Eden through the indulgence of appetite, our only hope of regaining Eden is through the firm denial of appetite and passion."—Ibid., p. 59.
"By precept and example make it plain that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the best for man's use as he seeks to regain that sinless state."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 135.
"Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,—that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 380.
Benefits to Workers
"Strictly temperate habits, combined with exercise of the muscles as well as of the mind, will preserve both mental and physical vigor, and give power of endurance to those engaged in the ministry, to editors, and to all others whose habits are sedentary."—Counsels on Health, p. 123.
"Here is a suggestion for all whose work is sedentary or chiefly mental; let those who have sufficient moral courage and self-control try it: At each meal take only two or three kinds of simple food, and eat no more than is required to satisfy hunger. Take active exercise every day, and see if you do not receive benefit"— Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 139.
"The Lord has chosen you to do His work, and if you work carefully, prudently, and bring your habits of eating in strict control to knowledge and reason, you would have many more pleasant, comfortable hours than if you acted unwisely. Put on the brakes, hold your appetite under strict charge, and then leave yourself in the hands of God. Prolong your life by careful supervision of yourself."—Ibid., p. 162.
"In order to have healthy digestion, food should be eaten slowly. Those who wish to avoid dyspepsia, and those who realize their obligation to keep all their powers in the condition which will enable them to render the best service to God, will do well to remember this."—Review and Herald, July 29, 1884.
"When traveling, some are almost constantly nibbling, if there is anything within their reach. This is a most pernicious practice. . . . If travelers would eat regularly of the simplest and most nutritious kinds of food, they would not experience so great weariness, nor suffer so much sickness."—Ibid.
"Food will be prepared, not to encourage gluttony or gratify a perverted taste, but to secure to themselves the greatest physical strength, and consequently the best mental conditions."—Ibid.
"Fruits, grains, and vegetables, prepared in a simple way, free from spice and grease of all kinds, . . . impart nourishment to the body, and give a power of endurance and vigor of intellect that are not produced by a stimulating diet."—Counsels on Health, p. 115.
"Olives may be . . . eaten with good results at every meal. . . . The oil in the olives relieves constipation; and for consumptives, and for those who have inflamed, irritated stomachs, it is better than any drug."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 134.
"In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God's original plan for man's diet. . . . Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. . . . They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet."—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 295, 296.
"Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the world's object lesson of health and prosperity."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 165.
"Had they been willing to deny appetite, in obedience to His wise restrictions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown among them."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 378.
"It is a great thing to insure health by placing ourselves in right relations to the laws of life." —Review and Herald, July 29, 1884.
