Chapter 16—Health, Exercise, and Healthful Living
The knowledge that man is to be a temple for God, a habitation for
the revealing of His glory, should be the highest incentive to the care
and development of our physical powers. Fearfully and wonderfully
has the Creator wrought in the human frame, and He bids us make it
our study, understand its needs, and act our part in preserving it from
harm and defilement.—
The Ministry of Healing, 271
Exercise Makes Sleep Sweeter, Steps Livelier—Females neglect
to exercise their limbs in walking. Riding cannot take the place of
walking. Many who are very feeble can walk if they only think so.
They have not the disposition, and you will hear them plead, “Oh! I
cannot walk. It puts me out of breath; I have a pain in my side, a pain
in my back.” Dear sisters, I wish you did not have these infirmities.
But I know that yielding to them, and giving up to an inactive life, will
not free you from them. Try to exercise moderately at first. Have rules
to govern you. Walk! Yes, walk! If you possibly can, walk! Try it a
short distance at first, you who think walking is impossible. You will
no doubt become weary. Your side may ache, your back give you pain,
but this should not frighten you. Your limbs may feel weak. And no
wonder when you have not used them much more than as if you had
no limbs....
[172]
If you would only walk, and possess a perseverance in the matter,
you could accomplish much in the direction of recovery. Your sleep
would be sweeter. At every trial, go a little farther. Do not go dragging
yourself along as though weights were attached to your limbs.... Let
the motion of your arms assist you in walking. Walk with a cheerful
mind. And as you walk, look at the beauties of nature, listen to the
sweet songsters whose melody warbles forth in praises to their Creator.
Be inspired by their happy gratitude. See all that you can that is
beautiful, and good, and joyful, and let it enliven your steps, and live
in your thoughts through the day.
161