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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
philosophy of the whole matter. Have they not proved it? they will
argue.
It is true that they have proved one side of the question—by per-
sisting in their own course—and yet they do take cold if in the least
exposed. Tender as babies, they cannot endure anything; yet they live
on, and continue to close the windows and doors, and hover over the
stove and enjoy their misery.
They have surely proved that their course has not made them well,
but has increased their difficulties. Why will not such allow reason to
influence the judgment and control the imagination? Why not now try
an opposite course, and in a judicious manner obtain exercise and air
out of doors?—
Testimonies for the Church 2:523-525
(1870).
Mind Impedes Circulation (advice to a timid soul)—If your
mind is impressed and fixed that a bath will injure you, the mental
impression is communicated to all the nerves of the body. The nerves
control the circulation of the blood; therefore the blood is, through the
impression of the mind, confined to the blood vessels, and the good
effects of the bath are lost. All this is because the blood is prevented
by the mind and will from flowing readily and from coming to the
[398]
surface to stimulate, arouse, and promote the circulation.
For instance, you are impressed that if you bathe you will become
chilly. The brain sends this intelligence to the nerves of the body, and
the blood vessels, held in obedience to your will, cannot perform their
office and cause a reaction after the bath.—
Testimonies for the Church
3:69, 70
(1872).
Fruit of a Listless, Dreamy Mind (counsel to a young
woman)—You have a diseased imagination. You have thought your-
self diseased, but this has been more imaginary than real. You have
been untrue to yourself.... You appeared like a person without a back-
bone. You were half reclining upon others, which is a wrong position
for a lady to occupy in the presence of others. If you had only thought
so, you could have walked as well and sat as erect as many others.
The condition of your mind leads to indolence and to a dread of
exercise, when this exercise would prove one of the greatest means of
your recovery. You will never recover unless you lay aside this listless,
dreamy condition of mind and arouse yourself to do, to work while
the day lasts. Do, as well as imagine and plan. Turn your mind away
from romantic projects. You mingle with your religion a romantic,