Chapter 2—Butter
Testimonies for the Church 3:21
Above all things, we should not with our pens advocate positions
that we do not put to a practical test in our own families, upon our own
tables. This is dissimulation, a species of hypocrisy. In Michigan we
can get along better without salt, sugar, and milk, than can many who
are situated in the far West or in the far East, where there is a scarcity
of fruit. But there are very few families in Battle Creek who do not
use these articles upon their tables. We know that a free use of these
things is positively injurious to health, and, in many cases, we think
that if they were not used at all, a much better state of health would be
enjoyed. But at present our burden is not upon these things. The people
are so far behind that we see it is all they can bear to have us draw
the line upon their injurious indulgences and stimulating narcotics.
We bear positive testimony against tobacco, spirituous liquors, snuff,
tea, coffee, flesh-meats, butter, spices, rich cakes, mince pies, a large
amount of salt, and all exciting substances used as articles of food.
Letter K 37, 1901
The poor say, when health reform is presented to them, “What
shall we eat? We can not afford to buy the nut foods.” As I preach the
gospel to the poor, I am instructed to tell them to eat that food which
is most nourishing. I can not say to them, “You must not eat eggs or
milk or cream. You must use no butter in the preparation of food.” The
gospel must be preached to the poor, and the time has not yet come to
prescribe the strictest diet.
But I wish to say that when the time comes that it is no longer safe
to use milk, cream, butter and eggs, God will reveal this. No extremes
in health reform are to be advocated. The question of using milk and
butter and eggs will work out its own problem. At present we have no
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burden on this line. Let your moderation be known unto all men.
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