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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
Mind Must Have Pure Food—The mind, like the body, must
have pure food in order to have health and strength. Give your children
something to think of that is out of and above themselves. The mind
that lives in a pure, holy atmosphere will not become trifling, frivolous,
vain, and selfish.—
Letter 27, 1890
.
We are living in a time when everything that is false and superficial
is exalted above the real, the natural, and the enduring. The mind must
be kept free from everything that would lead it in a wrong direction.
It should not be encumbered with trashy stories, which do not add
strength to the mental powers. The thoughts will be of the same
character as the food we provide for the mind.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:544
. (
Child Guidance, 188
.)
Infidel Books [
See Chapter 13, Food for the Mind.
]—The study
of books written by infidels does great harm. Thus tares are sown in
the minds and hearts of students. Yet this is the food often given to the
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brain, while many have little knowledge of subjects which pertain to
eternal interests, which they ought to understand.
The talent of time is precious. Every day it is given to us in trust,
and we shall be called upon to give an account of it to God. It is to be
used to God’s glory, and if we would prolong our lives, if we would
gain the life that measures with the life of God, we must give the mind
pure food. No time should be wasted that might have been used to
good account.—
Manuscript 15, 1898.
Students to Learn to Obey God—I see that a great sentiment
must be worked to, and out, under the divine direction in our schools.
But the one great lesson the students must learn is to seek with all
their heart, mind, and strength to know God and obey Him implicitly.
The science of the salvation of the human soul is the first lesson of
life. No line of literature or education in book knowledge is to become
supreme. But to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent, is
life eternal.
Let the students take the love and fear of God with them into their
school life. This is wisdom more precious than words can express.
Connected with God, it can be said of them, as of Daniel, God gave
him wisdom and knowledge in all mysteries.
Learning is good. The wisdom of Solomon is desirable; but the
wisdom of a greater than Solomon is far more desirable and essential.
Through the learning in our schools we cannot reach Christ, but we