Chapter 9—Mind, the Citadel
The Capital of the Body—Every organ of the body was made
to be servant to the mind. The mind is the capital of the body.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:136
(1872).
The mind controls the whole man. All our actions, good or bad,
have their source in the mind. It is the mind that worships God and
allies us to heavenly beings. Yet many spend all their lives without
becoming intelligent in regard to the casket [jewel case] that contains
this treasure.—
Special Testimonies On Education, May 11, 1896, 33
.
(
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 426
.)
Brain Controls the Body—There are many invalids today who
will ever remain so because they cannot be convinced that their experi-
ence is not reliable. The brain is the capital of the body, the seat of all
the nervous forces and of mental action. The nerves proceeding from
the brain control the body. By the brain nerves, mental impressions
are conveyed to all the nerves of the body as by telegraph wires, and
they control the vital action of every part of the system. All the organs
of motion are governed by the communications they receive from the
brain.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:69
(1872).
[73]
The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are
the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and
affect his inmost life.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:347
(1870).
Satan Strikes at the Perceptive Faculties [
See chapter 35, “The
Influence of Perception.”
]—Satan comes to man with his temptations
as an angel of light, as he came to Christ. He has been working to
bring man into a condition of physical and moral weakness that he
may overcome him with his temptations and then triumph over his
ruin. And he has been successful in tempting man to indulge appetite,
regardless of the result. He well knows that it is impossible for man to
discharge his obligations to God and to his fellowmen while he impairs
the faculties God has given him. The brain is the capital of the body.
If the perceptive faculties become benumbed through intemperance of
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