Foreword

Teaching by example is the greatest form of instruction. Then in order to relieve the sufferings of this world we must be sure to know the great principles of health reform that the Lord has laid down for His people. By knowing these principles of health and practicing them we achieve two goals: 1) we achieve personal health and happiness, and 2) we are able to be medical missionaries that relieve the suffering of sinful humanity.

“It should ever be kept prominent that the great object to be attained through [the Battle Creek Health Institute] is not only health, but perfection, and the spirit of holiness, which cannot be attained with diseased bodies and minds. This object cannot be secured by working merely from the worldling’s standpoint.

“A diseased body causes a disordered brain, and hinders the work of sanctifying grace upon the mind and heart.”–Healthful Living, p. 42.

“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. They will have moral power to engage in the warfare against Satan, and in the name of Him who conquered appetite in their behalf they may be more than conquerors on their own account. This warfare is open to all who will engage in it.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 35, 36.

“The world is in need of workers who will labor as Christ did for the suffering and the sinful. There is indeed a multitude to be reached. The world is full of sickness, suffering, distress, and sin. It is full of those who need to be ministered unto–the weak, the helpless, the ignorant, the degraded.”–Counsels on Health, p. 13.

Let us pray that as we study this topic the Lord will give us the wisdom and strength needed to be faithful health reformers.