Prenatal Influences
111
Diminished Energy Transmitted—Men and women who have
become sickly and diseased have often in their marriage connections
selfishly thought only of their own happiness. They have not seriously
considered the matter from the standpoint of noble, elevated principles,
reasoning in regard to what they could expect of their posterity, but
diminished energy of body and mind, which would not elevate society
but sink it still lower.—
Healthful Living, 28, 1865
(Part 2). (
Selected
Messages 2:423
.)
Disease Passed From Generation to Generation—Sickly men
have often won the affections of women apparently healthy, and be-
cause they loved each other, they felt themselves at perfect liberty
to marry.... If those who thus enter the marriage relation were alone
concerned, the sin would not be so great. Their offspring are com-
pelled to be sufferers by disease transmitted to them. Thus disease has
been perpetuated from generation to generation.... They have thrown
upon society an enfeebled race, and done their part to deteriorate the
race, by rendering disease hereditary, and thus accumulating human
suffering.—
Healthful Living, 28, 1865
(Part 2). (
Selected Messages
2:423
.)
[138]
Age Difference a Factor—Another cause of the deficiency of the
present generation in physical strength and moral worth is men and
women uniting in marriage whose ages widely differ.... The offspring
of such unions in many cases, where ages widely differ, have not well-
balanced minds. They have been deficient also in physical strength. In
such families have frequently been manifested varied, peculiar, and
often painful traits of character. They often die prematurely, and those
who reach maturity, in many cases, are deficient in physical and mental
strength and moral worth.
Thus a class of beings have been thrown upon the world as a
burden to society. Their parents were accountable in a great degree
for the characters developed by their children, which are transmitted
from generation to generation.—
Healthful Living, 29, 30, 1865
(Part
2). (
Selected Messages 2:423, 424
.)
God Will Hold Us Responsible for Prenatal Neglect—Women
have not always followed the dictates of reason instead of impulse.
They have not felt in a high degree the responsibilities resting upon
them to form such life connections as would not enstamp upon their
offspring a low degree of morals and a passion to gratify debased