8
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
you are doing them. You entertain unsound theories, and your mind is
made to serve these theories.
The way in which you are mismanaging your mental machinery is
wearing it out. But you cannot see what harm this is doing. Sooner or
later your friends with you will see the unfavorable development of
your thoughts and actions. Your stomach is beginning to testify to the
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action of the mind. A symmetrical and well-disciplined mind would
change for the better the powers of digestion.—Lt 29, 1897.
Harmony Uses Complementary Effort (counsel to a hus-
band)—We cannot all have the same minds or cherish the same ideas;
but one is to be a benefit and blessing to the other, that where one
lacks, another may supply what is requisite. You have certain deficien-
cies of character and natural biases that render it profitable for you to
be brought in contact with a mind differently organized, in order to
properly balance your own. Instead of superintending so exclusively,
you should consult with your wife and arrive at joint decisions. You
do not encourage independent effort on the part of your family; but if
your specific directions are not scrupulously carried out, you too fre-
quently find fault with the delinquents.—
Testimonies for the Church
4:128
(1876).
Lower Propensities to Be Under Control—“We are laborers to-
gether with God” (
1 Corinthians 3:9
). Man is to work out his own
salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in him
both to will and to do of His good pleasure. God gives man physical
and mental powers. None are needless. Not one is to be misused or
abused. The lower propensities are to be kept under control of the
higher powers.—Lt 139, 1898.
Health of the Body and Mind—The life of Daniel is an inspired
illustration of what constitutes a sanctified character. It presents a
lesson for all, and especially for the young. A strict compliance with
the requirements of God is beneficial to the health of body and mind.
In order to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual
attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God and
to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life. In the experience
of Daniel and his companions we have an instance of the triumph
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of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite. It shows us that
through religious principle young men may triumph over the lusts of
the flesh and remain true to God’s requirements, even though it cost