When the human unit—mind/body/spirit—is activated in benevolence toward the community of which it is a part, the integrity of life substance is honored, and human potential tends to thrive. (Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1903), p. 13.)

More than one hundred years ago, Ellen White counseled that when the human body and mind connects with the mind of God, the Holy Spirit takes residence in the heart. When that occurs, the effect of love has a powerful, beneficial influence on the mind and the body, she explains. Subsequently, an atmosphere forms around us that is beneficial to all who come near. Negative emotion, on the other hand, is detrimental to self and to those near us. (Ellen G. White, "Life, Love, and Union," The Signs of the Times, October 20, 1898, b.; "Sabbath-School Influences," Sabbath School Worker, April 1, 1886, a; Sons and Daughters of God (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1955); Mind, Character, and Personality, 2 vols. (Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Publ. Assn., 1977).

In brief, she was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 100,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others.

Her primary connections in Michigan began when she came to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1855 with her family. White was an advocate of healthful living, and she and her husband encouraged young John Harvey Kellogg to study medicine (assisting in his tuition expenses) and eventually return to Battle Creek as medical director and surgeon.

Upon its opening, in 1866, the Western Health Reform Institute was heralded far and wide. Dr. H. S. Lay, the first physician in charge, and James and Ellen White, were instrumental in founding this health institution. Taking in visitors and teaching simple principles, such as advocating the use of "Graham" bread and counseling eight hours of sleep at night, the institution struggled to live up to its grand name until 1876, when John Harvey Kellogg became medical director. In 1877, Kellogg changed the name to the Battle Creek Sanitarium. He was a multi-talented man: surgeon, inventor of surgical instruments, exercise device inventor, pioneer in physiotherapy and nutrition (Kellogg Cereals), and a prodigious writer.

Under Dr. Kellogg’s management it grew and prospered, achieving world-wide recognition as the Battle Creek Sanitarium and in its heyday during the 1880s was the most famous health institution in the country, a reputation it held until World War II. The sanitarium was also instrumental in spawning the health food industry and lent strong support to the concept of vegetarianism. . In later years, its patients included J. C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, S. S. Kresge, Dale Carnegie, Will Durant, Alfred Dupont, John D. Rockefeller, Luther Burbank, Thomas Edison, Booker T. Washington, Admiral Byrd, Amelia Earhart, and many others.

Of course, the Pacific Press Publishing Association which Ellen and James White founded also grew, not only printing her books and manuscripts, but also a large number of magazines including Sign of the Times (from 1874 to today), Health Builds Body, Mind, and Spirit (Started in 1933) and many more.

Today, Pacific Press Publishing is located in Nampa, Idaho (their building is the size of 3 football fields) and is still printing Ellen White’s Concepts.

The Body Mind & Spirit Ideals that she inspired are now in books, magazines, health fairs, expo’s, festivals, and talked about in just about every forum possible, providing light and inspiration around the world.


Howard & Penny Golden, Editor & Publishers, Body Mind Spirit Guide Publications