Recovery to Mormonism

Mormon Fast

To fast is to go without food and water for an amount of time.  (And we’re speaking of voluntary fasts, of course—not fasts where you’re stranded somewhere without food or water.)  Fasts aren’t always religious, either.  Technically, we fast when we sleep (breakfast comes from “breaking the fast”).  And doctors often ask patients to fast before surgery—to keep an empty stomach.  A religious fast is no different from any other fast—physically, at least.  However, a religious fast has a different objective. 

For centuries, people have practiced the religious fast.  In the Bible, the Lord’s people humbled themselves through fasting.  It increased their ability to receive blessings of Him.  And, today, Mormons practice the fast to receive spiritual strength. 

In the Mormon religion, to fast usually means to abstain from eating or drinking for two meals, or about a period of 24 hours.  One Sunday every month is set aside as “fast Sunday,” but a Mormon can fast at any time he or she feels the need.  The fast should be a period of fervent and purposeful prayer.  Without prayer, without purpose, fasting is just being hungry and thirsty and there’s nothing particularly spiritual about that.  We must do more than go without.  And there are plenty of reasons why we might fast.

A Mormon might fast to be guided in an important decision.  He or she might fast to understand difficult doctrines—or a personal tragedy.  He or she may fast for relief from intense grief, or depression—for the strength to overcome temptation, a personal weakness, or a habit that could become (or is) destructive.  A Mormon, whether a Mormon missionary or not, might also fast to have the missionary spirit, to be willing to share truth with others, and to find those who might be searching for that truth.  A Mormon might fast for the renewed health of a sick loved one, or that that loved one might be supported through a difficult time.  A Mormon might fast for a deeper testimony—for a deeper sensitivity and a deeper closeness to Him.

And these are only a small sampling of purposes.  Fasting and prayer are closely related.  What you can fast for, you can pray for, and vice versa—which leaves the possibilities endless.   

Another aspect of the fast is the fast offering, which is usually collected on Fast Sunday.  This offering is the money that would have been spent on food, if the person hadn’t been fasting.  This offering goes to the poor and giving one is completely voluntary.

Fast Sunday also involves a “Fast and Testimony meeting.”  This is an opportunity to stand up before the congregation and bear one’s testimony.  A testimony, in the Mormon faith, is someone’s deep religious convictions.  By bearing the testimony, by speaking it in front of others, a person shares their convictions and thus strengthens the convictions of others.  It also strengthens the person’s own convictions.  In Mormon belief, fasting also strengthens testimonies, since it is a spiritual experience in itself.

And fasting should be a spiritual experience.  While you’re fasting is a very good time to perform service, study the scriptures, and express thanks to God.  To study the scriptures with purpose of heart can only be rewarding.  And while fasting is a way to take some of our selfish attention off of, well, ourselves, service also takes our attention off ourselves and upon others.  The spirit of the fast is a good spirit in which to serve in. 

The Lord promises us blessings when we fast.  We are thankful for Him for the opportunities He gives us to come closer to Him, and for the blessings He gives us daily.