It was written May 29, 1901.
Many cannot.
Yes, I think I am one of those in the great majority.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Green, I only quoted what I was underlining. Why would I quote something which you already quoted and everyone could read above if I had nothing to say about it? Sounds like you are accusing me of something.

That's just weird. So weird you'd say that.

I was not being extreme other than pointing out your unreasonableness of justification. Nothing about sinning or not sinning.
It does not preclude that Mrs. White isn't declaring them harmful, too. As said in the past, she says they (the harmful items) should not be discarded if you are going to fail to provide proper nourishment.

Over 100 years ago, some could obtain.

But you say many cannot today. Will they ever? If so, what will change to enable them to? Was Ellen White just talking without any meaning? Do you think "soon" will apply to you? Maybe you're one who needs it forever. But what about the "many"? Will "soon" ever come to them?

What was the conditions during the times 100 years ago when some could not obtain?

Could you give a brief tracing of the process from cow to glass of milk on the table 100 years ago and also of today?

So I gather from this that we should seek to eat healthfully -- that is to maintain the best of health possible.
This seems to include staying away from a heavy diet of animal products. I know that since I have a natural built in cholestrol high (inherited) it is imperitve to stay away from high cholestrol foods.

However, we shouldn't get dogmatic and declare "sinful" foods like milk and eggs. While I don't generally use them in home cooking, I don't make an issue of it when invited out or partake of food that others share. I don't consider it a sin to eat these, just don't think it wise to make them part of my regular diet.

I know my step father and my mother were/are strict vegans for at least 30 years. My step father was active and alert like a man much younger than his years until he got phnemonia at the age of 95, that affected his heart and he died two years later, but still mentally with it to the end. My mother, in her mid eighties is still living at home taking care of her yard, and small orchard and garden as well as holding several key positions in church.

The church which we attend -- the head elder and his wife are strict vegans, they are around 89-90 years of age, still leading in the church, organizing singing bands to the people in old folks homes (they themselves still live on their farm, while those in the old folks home are often much younger then they!!!) and helping with VBS and cooking schools.

I'm not sure that the premise of vegans dying young is correct.
True, proper nutrition is essential, to eliminate animal products and not replace them with nutritious foods would leave one nutritionally deprived. Some people have special needs that require special adaptions, but it seems there are advantages for the average person to get away from animal products.

It just appeared that you were trying to ignore the fact that the "what is declared to be harmful" was a reference to the milk and eggs.

I'm not sure why you think so. You have mentioned that vegans can eat such things, and have implied vegans are not healthy on account of such.

Have I ever advocated eating pork or octopi? Were those comments of yours not extreme in the least?

It is not a sin to eat pork or octopi?

The mind can choose to rationalize things in any manner desired. The wording is clear enough to anyone truly desiring to understand. If the milk and eggs were truly harmful, where are Mrs. White's statements to that effect? On the contrary, there are many statements to the opposite meaning from her own pen. She is alluding to the statements made by those who have chosen to abstain from milk and eggs, e.g. yourself.
She doesn't speak of the items being harmful. She speaks of them as being declared harmful. This is an important distinction. Her statement that they fail to supply the system with proper nourishment by trying to abstain from these so-called "harmful" things tells us that they are not harmful, but helpful.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Instead of "veganism causes premature death," perhaps it is more accurate to say "lack of necessary nutrients causes premature death." In EGW's day, very few people could get the proper nutrients without milk and eggs. But these nutrients may have become easier to acquire over the past 100 years, given that we can transport food across the continent within a couple of days.

Also, even in EGW's day, milk and eggs should be from healthy cows and chickens. The mass production of milk and eggs today might not allow for healthy cows and chickens. The only way may be to raise them ourselves. But my HOA won't allow that. So, maybe the "very small minority" today is composed of those who have access to healthy cows and chickens, while the vast majority must get those nutrients elsewhere.

Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. {CD 366.1}

This tells me that milk and eggs are not necessary, assuming that God has made provision for the time when milk and eggs are no longer safe. And based on some of the reports on the health of these animals today, that time may very well be now.

Arnold,

The pen of inspiration says the "very small minority" of people can subsist without milk and eggs in their diet. Feel free to twist it around the other way on your own account and at your own risk.

Note that there is not one single vegan source for vitamin B12. People once thought that certain seaweeds had high levels of B12. I've even purchased some packages of dried seaweed for sale in Asia with the B12 nutrient information listed on it at attractive levels. Medical science may still be catching up on some of these things, but it has been discovered that what we formerly thought was a valid source of B12 in these seaweed is actually a different form of the molecule which offers us nothing. It is like the difference between alpha-chain carbohydrates and beta-chain. One is a good source of energy, the other is just so much cellulose. The molecules look identical except that one hydroxyl group is switched around, from one form to the other. The "B12" in seaweed is similarly rendered non-absorbable by humans with a small difference in molecular shape.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

This tells me that children are not necessary, assuming that Jesus has made provision for the end times.



Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

As you said, "But why?" Did God design humans to require milk and eggs in their diet? Did Adam and Eve consume milk & eggs?

Is it possible that the nutrients only available in milk and eggs then are now available from other sources?