[R]emember that on this, the Lord’s day, . . . thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full. Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer. And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, . . . the fulness of the earth is yours. (D&C 59:12-16)
It’s hard to believe next year (2025) will mark twenty years since my father’s passing. One thing I deeply miss about my father, is our gospel-centered discussions; especially those sparked by the Book of Mormon stories and the meaning behind the dialogue, and the principles they taught.
One such principle we studied and applied was fasting. Reading Jacob 5:65-66, my niece Meijken shared an interesting insight she studied, based upon “clear[ing] away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad”.
In turn, I shared her insight with my father. After considering these verses, he applied the principle by inviting the family to fast for the purpose of softening hearts and drawing closer to the Savior. He suggested that for 6 months each of us would take something out of our lives that was “bad” for us and add something good into our lives.
The “bad” I chose may sound silly considering it was to stop drinking soda; while the “good” I chose was recommitting myself to attend the temple weekly. The most wonderful thing about this fast for me, was not my choices, as much as it was my husband’s choice to participate. Joe is not a member of the Church, yet for his “good” choice he chose to attend Church for the six months with me and our children!
Another family fast we undertook, was an eight month fast for one of my siblings. The idea was to have at least one family member fast each day. Those who could not do a traditional fast of abstaining from food and water, fasted by the way of sacrifice, giving up something they truly enjoyed on their day of fasting. We could see a change in our sibling even though it was not permanent like Alma the Younger. Even so, it changed and helped those who fasted including the nieces and nephews who chose to participate.
Just as the principle of serving others changes us, I believe when we turn our hearts outward to help others through fasting, our spirit turns toward the Savior.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
A Variety of Fasts
My sister Cheri taught me how to fast during the years I was pregnant and nursing, not by suggestion, but by example. Noticing Cheri repeatedly refusing her favorite treats when offered, I asked her why she turned them down. Cheri explained giving up her favorite food vices such as chocolate, chewing gum, or drinking her nightly milkshake was her way of fasting, while pregnant and nursing, which ended up encompassing about twenty years. I decided to do a similar fast which led to expelling refined sugar from my diet for a time. I will confess of the restoration of eating sugary treats and can definitely testify I am worse off for it.
Years after my pregnancies as my eldest son Jake grew closer to “missionary” age, I decided to fast for him with the hope his desire to serve a mission would increase. I implemented the same principles of the fast my father suggested of taking something “bad” out of my life and adding something “good”. After Jake put in his papers, I recommitted to the fast for the two years he served. Once again, I know it helped him as he left to serve in the Japan Kobe Mission and helped me build a better spiritual perspective
Symbolic Forty Day Fast
Years ago the ward I attended did a symbolic forty day fast for missionary work. The effect for our ward’s focus and efforts resulted in quadrupling new converts from the previous year. Although I was not instrumental in bringing a new member into our midst, this fast affected me greatly.
At the time I had not served a mission and still have never served a proselyting mission. Yet, I believe the Lord blessed me in my efforts in a surprising manner, giving me the experience of a missionary’s joy when they find and teach a person who joins the Church. My experience revolves around family history.
At the time of my ward’s forty day fast, I was working on my sister-in-law’s genealogy. This was not the first or fifty-first time I had looked for the parents of her great-grandfather, John Joseph Coughlin, who immigrated from Ireland about 1890. During this fast, a new record appeared in my search; the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for John Coughlin. I applied for his social security application, and there they were, his parents, James Edward Coughlin and Catherine Gallagher.
The feeling at that moment I can only describe as pure joy and gratitude in a way I had not felt before. I have located plenty of parents in past searches for people, which usually brought a verbal cheer and fist pump, but this was something else. I said out loud to myself, “This is what missionaries must feel like when a person they are teaching desires to be baptized.”
After this first experience during the fast, I located a second set of great-great-grandparents for my sister-in-law. The feeling was similar to the first. So, even though I did not find a new, living convert, I did find four people who were prepared to receive the gospel and have their temple work completed.
Three-Day Fasts
At one point in my life, my faith in fasting was fading. I cannot recall if a single moment in time had sparked the flame of doubt; I only recall I began asking why and knew my heart was wavering. As I questioned myself, I quickly realized that I knew the Book of Mormon was a true set of scripture which led to believing Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God who was instrumental in restoring the Church of Jesus Christ. Yet, even with this belief and knowledge, it didn’t change my feelings about fasting.
As I continued to contemplate my dilemma, I decided if I was having a problem with a principle of the gospel, I needed to implement that principle with all my focus and study. So, I began to fast and pray with the intention of continuing until I came to know of a surety it was an important gospel principle which needed to be practiced.
After fasting and praying for 2 days and 2 nights, on the morning of the third day, I knew fasting and contributing a fast offering was an important principle to apply in my life. Even though all the reasons for fasting may still have eluded me, I recognized that the Savior and the prophets past and present have not only taught and counseled us in regard to a proper fast, they have been great examples of the principle of fasting.
In reference to contributing fast offerings, President Eyring noted that “President Spencer W. Kimball called failing to follow that law a sin of omission with a heavy cost. [President Kimball] wrote: ‘Rich promises are made by the Lord to those who fast and assist the needy. … Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father. To omit to do this righteous act of fasting would deprive us of these blessings.’”¹
Since my memory often falls short these days, now in preparation for my monthly fast,
I note in my planner on the Saturday before fast Sunday to begin my fast at a certain time, usually 2 PM. By contemplating, praying, and making a list (or single purpose), then recording the purpose of my fast, I have found it always helps me to stay focused on what my fast is centered. This is also a reminder for me to see if I have paid my tithing for the previous month and a time to give a fast offering for the current month.
A Prophet’s Invitations
Nearly six years have passed since President Nelson invited the women of the Church “to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.”² As I reflect on the effects, I realize President Nelson’s other invitations of that address, such as reading the Book of Mormon, consistent temple attendance, and reviewing the Relief Society purpose, combined with the social media fast, freed me from the mundane, lifting my perspective to the eternities. Reading my journal from that time period showed how my thoughts shifted more toward the Savior as I followed through with promptings more quickly and stood up in hard conversations with gentle firmness – no wavering on truth, listening with empathy, then with the power of the Holy Ghost, restating the truth.
During the early days of the Pandemic in 2020, President Nelson invited all to join in two worldwide fasts back to back. The first he invited members of the Church and friends “to join with me in a worldwide fast for all whose health permits to pray for relief from the physical, emotional, and economic effects of this global pandemic.”³
Just a few weeks later, President Nelson once again invited the people of the world to “fast, pray, and unite our faith” to “prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic.” He specifically stated the focus as “that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”⁴
I was privileged to be able to participate in both of these fasts. How wonderful it is to have the Prophet of God lead, direct, and counsel us in these latter-days.
Conclusion
President Henry B. Eyring said in his April 2015 conference address, “The brief time we fast every month and the small amount we offer for the poor may give us only a small part of the change in our natures to have no more desire to do evil. But there is a great promise, even as we do all that we reasonably can to pray, to fast, and to donate for those in need:
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:8–9)
May our hearts be drawn out in prayer and fasting until our souls have no desire to do evil, but to do good continually, that we may run to Savior’s embrace and live with Him and our ancestors in the eternities.
- Eyring, President Henry B.“Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?”. April 2015. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng. Accessed 30 June 2024.)
- Nelson, President Russell M. Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel. 2018. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/general-conference/2018/10/sisters-participation-in-the-gathering-of-israel. Accessed 30 June 2024.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson Invites All to Join in Fast for Relief from COVID-19. 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btwh40huKIo.
- Nelson, President Russell M. Opening the Heavens for Help. 2020. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/37nelson?lang=eng. Accessed 30 June 2024.
