Relation of Diet to Health and Morals
135
Eat Slowly
In order to secure healthy digestion, food should be eaten slowly.
Those who wish to avoid dyspepsia, and those who realize their obli-
gation to keep all their powers in a condition which will enable them to
render the best service to God, will do well to remember this. If your
time to eat is limited, do not bolt your food, but eat less, and masticate
slowly. The benefit derived from food does not depend so much on
the quantity eaten, as on its thorough digestion; nor the gratification of
taste so much on the amount of food swallowed, as on the length of
time it remains in the mouth. Those who are excited, anxious, or in a
hurry would do well not to eat until they have found rest or relief, for
the vital powers, already severely taxed, cannot supply the necessary
digestive fluids. When traveling, some are almost constantly nibbling,
if there is anything in their reach. This is a most pernicious practice. If
travelers would eat regularly of the simplest and most nutritious kinds
of food, they would not experience so great weariness, nor suffer so
much from sickness.
In order to preserve health, temperance in all things is necessary—
[121]
temperance in labor, temperance in eating and drinking. Our heavenly
Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils resulting
from a debased appetite, that those who love purity and holiness may
know how to use with discretion the good things He has provided for
them, and that by exercising temperance in daily life, they may be
sanctified through the truth.
At general meetings and camp meetings we should have good,
wholesome, nourishing food, prepared in a simple manner. We should
not turn these seasons into occasions for feasting. If we appreciate the
blessings of God, if we are feeding on the bread of life, we will not
be much concerned about gratifying the appetite. The great burden
of our thoughts will be, How is it with my soul? There will be such
a longing for spiritual food—something which will impart spiritual
strength—that we will not complain if the diet is plain and simple.
God requires the body to be rendered a living sacrifice to Him,
not a dead or a dying sacrifice. The offerings of the ancient Hebrews
were to be without blemish, and will it be pleasing to God to accept a
human offering that is filled with disease and corruption? He tells us
that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost; and He requires us to