Lt 253, 1902

White, J. E.; White, Emma

St. Helena, California

January 20, 1902

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children, Edson and Emma,—

I have been, during the night season, conversing with you both and I have words from the Lord to speak to you. How can I suppose that you are walking in all things in the counsel of the Lord unless you are walking and working in accordance with the light the Lord has been pleased to give me?17LtMs, Lt 253, 1902, par. 1

The Lord is not pleased that you do not come into the light, to practice the light in regard to your diet. You both need to reach a higher standard upon health reform. You need to be sanctified through the truth. Your own countenance, Edson, testifies plainly against you, and when you shall observe the strictest habits in your eating and health reform, your countenance will bear a different testimony of your habits. Your ideas of what constitutes self-denial and self-sacrifice will undergo most thorough reformation.17LtMs, Lt 253, 1902, par. 2

The Lord would have you come close to Him. You are living unhealthfully, and I speak to Emma decidedly, There is something you must do if you expect health and strength yourself, and that Edson should have a clean countenance and that the current of blood shall be clean. You can, Emma, help Edson if you will; but you both, my children, in working decidedly against the light the Lord has given me in regard to health reform, make me to feel that I cannot put confidence in you and in the judgment you may have as to how to manage my books.17LtMs, Lt 253, 1902, par. 3