Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White taught that "milk, eggs, and butter should not be classed with flesh-meat" (TSDF 120). She made clear that "the time has not come to say that the use of milk and eggs should be wholly discarded" (TSDF 120), emphasizing a balanced, practical approach to health reform. Her counsel recognized the economic realities many families faced. She noted that "there are poor families whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit, and can not afford to purchase the nut foods" (TSDF 120). This practical wisdom guided her teaching: "Until we can teach them how to prepare health-reform foods that are palatable, nourishing, and yet inexpensive, we are not at liberty to present the most advanced propositions regarding health-reform diet" (TSDF 120). Regarding eggs specifically, Ellen White stated that "in some cases the use of eggs is beneficial" (TSDF 120). She went further, explaining that "eggs contain properties which are remedial agencies in counteracting poisons" (CD 204.4). She counseled that "we should not consider it a denial of principle to use eggs of hens which are well cared for and suitably fed" (CD 204.4). Ellen White also addressed the future of these foods. She acknowledged that "the time will come when milk cannot be used as freely as it is now used" (CD 204.4), and wrote about accumulating disease in the animal kingdom that would eventually necessitate giving up all animal foods, including milk (CD 6.3). However, she was clear about timing: "when the time comes that it is no longer safe to use milk, cream, butter, and eggs, God will reveal this" (CD 359.1). She strongly cautioned against premature restrictions, stating that "no extremes in health reform are to be advocated. The question of using milk and butter and eggs will work out its own problem. At present we have no burden on this line" (CD 359.1). She urged people to "wait until the circumstances demand it, and the Lord prepares the way for it" (CD 6.3), warning against creating perplexity by "premature and extreme restrictions" (CD 6.3). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the connection between diet and spiritual life? • How did she counsel people to approach health reform with those who weren't ready for advanced changes? • What specific guidance did she give about preparing healthful, economical foods?