Ellen White’s concept of vegetarianism is clearly defined in her writings as a diet that excludes flesh foods (meat) and is based on fruits, grains, and vegetables. Here are some key points from her writings: - She states: "Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to his original design,— that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat-eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. ... All who are connected with our health institutions especially should be educating themselves to subsist on fruits, grains, and vegetables." (CTBH 119.1) - She further clarifies: "Let no meat be found at our restaurants or dining tents, but let its place be supplied with fruits, grains, and vegetables. ... when asked the reason for doing this, we should kindly explain why we do not use it." (HL 96) - Ellen White also wrote: "The diet of animals is vegetables and grains. Must the vegetables be animalized, must they be incorporated into the system of an animal, before we get them? ... God provided food in its natural state for our first parents." (HL 97.2) - She does acknowledge that in rare cases of illness or exhaustion, some might use a little meat, but this is not the ideal and is only for exceptional circumstances: "In certain cases of illness or exhaustion it may be thought best to use some meat, but great care should be taken to secure the flesh of healthy animals. ... It would be better never to eat meat than to use the flesh of animals that are not healthy." (CTBH 117.3) - She also says: "Flesh foods are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them." (9T 156) In summary, for Ellen White, vegetarianism means a diet of fruits, grains, and vegetables, and not one that includes even a little bit of meat as a regular practice. The use of meat is only mentioned as a rare exception, not as part of the vegetarian ideal. References: - Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods (CTBH) - Ellen G. White, Healthful Living (HL) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9 (9T)

Ellen White does not teach that eating meat or not being a vegetarian will automatically cause someone to lose their salvation. Her writings emphasize that God is leading His people toward a diet based on fruits, grains, and vegetables, and that flesh foods are not the ideal for those preparing for Christ’s return. However, she also stresses that those who have eaten meat all their lives "must be treated tenderly" (HL 97.3), and she does not mark out a "precise line to be followed in diet" (9T 159). She warns that those who knowingly disregard the light God has given on health reform—including diet—may become careless in other spiritual matters and "will surely reap as they have sown" (9T 156). Yet, her focus is on the spiritual, mental, and physical benefits of a vegetarian diet, not on making diet the test of salvation. In summary: According to Ellen White, not being a vegetarian is not in itself a cause for losing salvation. Salvation is based on one’s relationship with Christ, not on diet alone. However, she encourages all who have the opportunity to adopt a vegetarian diet for their own spiritual, mental, and physical well-being, and to be open to God’s leading in this area. References: - "Those who have lived upon a meat diet all their lives do not see the evil of continuing the practise, and they must be treated tenderly." (Healthful Living, HL 97.3) - "We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet..." (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, 9T 159) - "Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter... will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth and will lose their perception of what is truth; they will surely reap as they have sown." (9T 156)