Ellen White understood the biblical picture of the indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit. She saw clearly that the interacting and integration of these three components required the health of each so that all components would function effectively. In other words, whatever affected the body also affected the mind and the spirit. If the mind was not properly filled with the proper food and rest, as well as positive, rational thoughts, then both the body and spirit would perform less efficiently.

The chief concern for Ellen was the impact of poor health in either the mind or body on the spiritual life. She insisted, “Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing the good and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 346).

Ellen followed a step-by-step path in developing her health principles. Early on, she led out, contrary to the medical world at the time, in emphasizing the dangers of tobacco, tea, and coffee. This led to vision-informed principles that stressed a vegetarian diet, self-control in eating, and the danger of rich cakes, pies, puddings (with their high cholesterol).

She also stressed drinking plenty of pure water, getting exercise, avoiding poisonous drugs (which in the 19th century were highly toxic), and even suggested against conventional wisdom at the time that parents transmit their weaknesses to their children. She also believed that while manual labor helps to cheer a disposition, overwork — in even doing good — breaks down mental as well as physical health.

Next: The Health Message, Pt. 2