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The Ministry of Health and Healing
When the use of flesh food is discontinued, often there is a
sense of weakness, a lack of vigor. Many urge this as evidence
that flesh food is essential, but this is false reasoning. Flesh food is
missed because it is stimulating; it fevers the blood and excites the
nerves. Some will find it as difficult to leave off flesh eating as it
is for drunkards to give up liquor, but they will be the better for the
change.
When flesh food is discarded, its place should be supplied with
a variety of grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits that will be both
nourishing and appetizing. This is especially necessary in the case
of those who are weak or those who must do continual hard work.
In some countries where poverty abounds, flesh is the cheapest food.
Under these circumstances the change will be made with greater
difficulty, but it can be done. We should, however, consider the
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situation of the people and the power of lifelong habit, being careful
not to urge unduly even right ideas. None should be urged to make
the change abruptly. The place of meat should be supplied with
wholesome foods that are inexpensive. In this matter very much
depends on the cook. With care and skill, dishes may be prepared
that will be both nutritious and appetizing, and will, to a great degree,
take the place of flesh food.
In all cases educate the conscience, enlist the will, and supply
good, wholesome food. This will enable the change to be readily
made, and the demand for flesh will soon cease.
Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods?
How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy,
that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue
to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and
body? How can they take the life of God’s creatures that they
may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them, rather, return to
the wholesome and delicious food given to the human race in the
beginning. And let them practice, and teach their children to practice,
mercy toward the dumb creatures that God has made and placed
under our dominion.
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