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Section 14—Teaching Health Principles
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gradually. The health foods set before them must be appetizing. All
their lives, perhaps, they have had three meals a day, and have eaten
rich food. It is an important matter to reach these people with the
truths of health reform.
But in order to lead them to adopt a sensible diet, you must set
before them an abundant supply of wholesome, appetizing food.
Changes must not be made so abruptly that they will be turned from
health reform instead of being led to it. The food served to them
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must be nicely prepared, and it must be richer than either you or I
would eat....
I write this because I am sure that the Lord means you to have
tact in meeting the people where they are, in their darkness and
self-indulgence. As far as I am concerned personally, I am decidedly
in favor of a plain, simple diet. But it will not be best to put worldly,
self-indulgent patients on a diet so strict that they will be turned
from health reform. This will not convince them of the need of a
change in their habits of eating and drinking. Tell them the facts.
Educate them to see the need of a plain, simple diet, and make the
change gradually. Give them time to respond to the treatment and
the instruction given them. Work and pray, and lead them along as
gently as possible.—
Letter 331, 1904
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How to Present the Principles of Healthful Diet
The Lord desires every minister, every physician, every church
member, to be careful not to urge those who are ignorant of our faith
to make sudden changes in diet, thus bringing them to a premature
test. Hold up the principles of health reform, and let the Lord lead
the honest in heart. They will hear and believe. The Lord does
not require His messengers to present the beautiful truths of health
reform in a way that will prejudice the minds of others. Let no one
place stumbling blocks before those who are walking in the dark
paths of ignorance. Even in praising a good thing, it is well not to
be too enthusiastic, lest you turn out of the way those who come to
hear. Present the principles of temperance in their most attractive
form.