At last, this very unusual winter is over. At least we hope so! It is May once again, and the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and we are still alive, and have the great God to thank for all these varied and wonderful blessings. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trusting in God’s love and care—these are health’s greatest safeguard. “Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.” Deuteronomy 26:11.
“God gave to Israel instruction in all the principles essential to physical as well as to moral health, and it was concerning these principles no less than concerning those of the moral law that He commanded them: ‘These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ Deuteronomy 6:6–9.
” ‘And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, . . . The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.’ Verses 20–24.
“Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the world’s object lesson of health and prosperity. If as a people they had lived according to God’s plan, they would have been preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations. Above any other people they would have possessed physical strength and vigor of intellect. They would have been the mightiest nation on the earth.” The Ministry of Healing, 283.
Please read Deuteronomy and see the blessing affixed to God’s people had they remained true to His commandments, both in the spiritual world, and the physical world. What a standard for us as a people!
In 1863, God ordained that Ellen White, prophet to us as the remnant church, should hear His health message. The message of health reform swept our ranks, until in March 29, 1908, Mrs. White sent this testimony and pledge to the General Conference. The pledge read: “I solemnly promise, before God, to abstain from tobacco, spiritous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, fleshmeats, a large amount of salt, and animal fat of all kinds, baking power, soda or saleratus (sodium bicarbonate) in any form, and cheese, and from all exciting articles of good, and to abstain from eating between meals, and to do all I can to induce others to do likewise.”
This testimony on health reform was sent directly to Elder Daniels, but it was withheld and not circulated because he said it would “split the church.” He evidently did not know that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” God’s true church. God’s true church is composed of “faithful souls” (Acts of the Apostles, 11), and those who are in a Laodicean condition are not “faithful souls.” Later when Elder Daniels wanted to see Sister White, she refused to see him saying, “I have nothing more for him.”
“God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it, rejected God.” Testimony, Series B, no. 6, 31. What a serious statement, which side do you stand on?
Sweet Potato Bread
1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
2 T. nut cream
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 T. warm water
1 T. yeast
1/2 t. sea salt
Dissolve yeast in warm water; add salt, nut cream, potatoes, and enough flour to make a smooth sponge; cover, and let rise. When light add the remainder of the flour or necessary amount to make a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise till light. Form into loaves and when doubled in size, bake at 350° for 30–40 minutes. Rolls require about 20 minutes.