Chapter 75—Imagination and Illness
[
See also chapter 7, “Disease that egins in the mind”; Chapter 42,
“Mind and Health”; Chapter 63, “Imagination.”
]
Imagination Leads to Severe Forms of Disease—The mind
needs to be controlled, for it has a most powerful influence upon
the health. The imagination often misleads, and when indulged, brings
severe forms of disease upon the afflicted. Many die of diseases which
are mostly imaginary. I am acquainted with several who have brought
upon themselves actual disease by the influence of the imagination.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:523
(1870).
People Dying Who Might Get Well—Thousands are sick and
dying around us who might get well and live if they would, but their
imagination holds them. They fear that they will be made worse if
they labor or exercise, when this is just the change they need to make
them well. Without this they never can improve. They should exercise
the power of the will, rise above their aches and debility, engage in
useful employment, and forget that they have aching backs, sides,
lungs, and heads. Neglecting to exercise the entire body, or a portion
of it, will bring on morbid conditions. Inaction of any of the organs
of the body will be followed by a decrease in size and strength of the
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muscles and will cause the blood to flow sluggishly through the blood
vessels.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:76
(1872).
Imagination Can Control Parts of the Body—It is the lack of
harmonious action in the human organism that brings disease. The
imagination may control the other parts of the body to their injury. All
parts of the system must work harmoniously.—MS 24, 1900. (.)
Dying of a Diseased Imagination—Once I was called to see a
young woman with whom I was well acquainted. She was sick and
was running down fast. Her mother wished me to pray for her. The
mother stood there weeping and saying, “Poor child; she cannot live
long.” I felt her pulse. I prayed with her, and then addressed her, “My
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