Eat for Health: Does it Matter?

Seventh-Day Adventist Church members and Gosford Stake (Diocese) members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took part in a community interfaith forum titled Eat for Health: Does it Matter?

Dr Hans Diehl a Clinical Professor of Preventative Medicine from Loma Linda University, addressed the audience and spoke about his  experience in lifestyle medicine. He provided a presentation on research surrounding dietary and lifestyles choices.

Dr Hans Diehl is renowned for developing the Complete Health Improvement Program (www.chiphealth.com) which is a lifestyle enrichment program that’s designed to reduce disease risk factors through the adoption of better health habits and the appropriate lifestyle modifications through the foods that we eat and life styles we live.

Dr Hans Diehl highlighted the shared commonalties between the two faiths (Latter-day Saints and Adventists) which both have doctrines on health that give guidance for good healthy living.  Dr Diehl explained how these two doctrines that were given to each respective Church in the mid 1800’s are more relevant today than when they were given. In 1833.the members of the LDS Church were given “The Word of Wisdom”. In 1863 the Adventists began the “Health Message”.    

He demonstrated how many of the current day sicknesses, illness and diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancers are caused by lifestyle and the food and eating choices that we make.  He further demonstrated how many years of research and practical application of the principles found in the Word of Wisdom have a profound beneficial effect on a person’s physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Dr Diehl explained how adopting  wholesome natural food eating and active lifestyles as explained in the Word of Wisdom can reverse and in many cases cure the diseases, illness, obesity and sickness  that is rife in today’s western societies.

Gosford Australia Stake President Conrad Dunn spoke further on the teachings of the Word of Wisdom and how it’s an inspired counsel where members of the LDS church are advised to eat nutritious and natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. They are also counseled to avoid addictive substances such as tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea. They are encouraged to be aware of the dangers and evils that exist because some people or businesses seek to put profits before good health.

President  Dunn thanked Dr Hans Diehl  for attending the event and presented him a the Christus statue as a good will gesture for taking part in the interfaith forum. 

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognize their common ground with other religions—they also recognize the good works of other religions and actively look for ways to collaborate with them on projects to serve people, regardless of faith, all around the world.

As a result of the health forum, the LDS community and  the Adventist community in the Gosford area will be hosting classes open to the public so people can learn how to make improvements and overcome obesity, being overweight, reverse disease and live healthy lives. Further information on those classes is available by contacting Karen McMillan by email on kjm@adkj.org