The Law of the Fast - A Way to Love Our Neighbor With Greater Measure

Fasting is principle that is taught and practiced regularly in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When a person fasts they go with out food or drink for two consecutive meals. A fast begins and ends with prayer and a fast offering is given.  The offering should be at least the value of the food and drink that you would have consumed during the fast.

By obeying Law of the Fast the participating individuals fill two needs.  First the person fasting gains spiritually and draws closer to their Heavenly Father.  Elder Joseph B Wirthlin, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles said this in the April 2001 General Conference:

"Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions. 

Fasting and prayer can help us in our families and in our daily work. They can help us magnify our callings in the Church. President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “If you want to get the spirit of your office and calling as a new president of a quorum, a new high [councilor], a new bishop [or, I might say, a Relief Society president]—try fasting for a period. I don’t mean just missing one meal, then eating twice as much the next meal. I mean really fasting, and praying during that period. It will do more to give you the real spirit of your office and calling and permit the Spirit to operate through you than anything I know."

Second by obeying the Law of the Fast by contributing to the Fast Offerings we are able to help our fellow man.  Fast Offerings donated are used to help those in need in our local area. Individuals and families who have found themselves needing help and assistance are given help by accessing the Fast Offering funds as administered by the local Bishop.  On a greater scale Fast Offering Funds are used to assist people in need throughout the world.  Thousands and thousands of individuals, many not members of the Church, have received help and assistance in recent months as they were victims of one of the many natural disasters that has struck.

Hurricane Harvey, which struck the Texas coast on August 25, was the first in a series of disasters in North America that spanned several weeks. With 130-mile-per-hour winds and up to 52 inches of rain in Houston, Harvey caused more than 80 fatalities and damaged nearly 200,000 homes in the greater Houston area.

Following closely behind were Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two of the strongest storms on record to strike the region. Their combined force, with 185-mile-per-hour winds, left a path of destruction throughout multiple Caribbean islands and Florida. Over 180 lives were lost; islands such as Barbuda, Saint Martin, Saint Thomas, and Dominica suffered catastrophic devastation; and Puerto Rico’s power grid, transportation routes, and agricultural territories remain heavily damaged.

Almost simultaneous with the Caribbean hurricanes, two massive earthquakes struck southern and central Mexico, toppling dozens of buildings and homes and leaving an estimated 450 dead and 6,300 injured, while in August tragic mudslides in Sierra Leone killed over 1,000 residents and left 3,000 homeless.

In October, the deadliest wildfires in California state history burned nearly 400 square miles and killed at least 40 and destroyed more than 8,400 structures. In addition, there have been ongoing famines throughout Africa and the Middle East, which have displaced millions and caused significant loss of life.

Watch this video to gain a little more insights into how members of the Church have responded and blessed the lives of many people in many different places.

It is my hope that all of us will give more generously to the Fast Offerings when we fast.  A couple of extra dollars, donated by many, can make a huge impact.  Donating to Fast Offerings is the most effective way to donate to Humanitarian efforts.  100% of your donation goes to help those in need.  There are no administrative costs in a volunteer organization.  No overhead expenses that need to be covered.  All of your dollar goes to help.  You can be assured that your donation will be handled with care an concern to help those in need.

Submitted by: James Tanner