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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
while they neglect to exercise their muscles themselves, is a great
mistake.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:76
(1872).
Present Flood of Corruption Result of Abused Bodies and
Minds—The flood of corruption that is sweeping over our world is the
result of the misuse and abuse of the human machinery. Men, women,
and children should be educated to labor with their hands. Then the
brain will not be overtaxed, to the detriment of the whole organism.—
Letter 145, 1897
Taxation of Mind and Body Tends to Prevent Impure
Thoughts—The proportionate taxation of the powers of mind and
body will prevent the tendency to impure thoughts and actions. Teach-
ers should understand this. They should teach students that pure
thoughts and actions are dependent on the way in which they conduct
their studies. Conscientious actions are dependent on conscientious
thinking. Exercise in agricultural pursuits and in the various branches
of labor is a wonderful safeguard against undue brain taxation. No
man, woman, or child who fails to use all the powers God has given
him can retain his health. He cannot conscientiously keep the com-
mandments of God. He cannot love God supremely and his neighbor
as himself.—
Letter 145, 1897
[121]
Some Manual Work Each Day—The light given me is that if our
ministers would do more physical labor, they would reap blessings
healthwise.... It is a positive necessity to physical health and mental
clearness to do some manual work during the day. Thus the blood
is called from the brain to other portions of the body.—
Letter 168,
1899
(
Evangelism, 660, 661
.)
Every Student Should Exercise—Every Student should devote
a portion of each day to active labor. Thus habits of industry would
be formed and a spirit of self-reliance encouraged, while the youth
would be shielded from many evil and degrading practices that are
so often the result of idleness. And this is all in keeping with the
primary object of education, for in encouraging activity, diligence, and
purity we are coming into harmony with the Creator.—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 601
(1890).
The physical as well as the religious training practiced in the
schools of the Hebrews may be profitably studied. The worth of such
training is not appreciated. There is an intimate relation between the
mind and the body, and in order to reach a high standard of moral and