Lds how long to fast

Our program of the fast day and the fast offering is so simple and so beautiful that I cannot understand why people everywhere do not take it up. Hearings have recently been held in the Congress of the United States on a proposal to recommend to the president a day of fasting to raise funds for the starving people of Africa. Our own experience last spring was so easy of execution and so tremendously productive that our consecrations have blessed thousands without causing any of us to suffer in the least.

Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Mormons try to fast with a spirit of humility, never begrudgingly see Isaiah 58 ; fast with a cheerful countenance and not to be seen of men see Matthew ; fast with a purpose. Some blessings of the Lord require fasting and prayer. We need to do more than merely ask for the blessing see Matthew We need to use wisdom when we fast. Mormons are encouraged to bear testimony in church on Fast Sunday. As the Spirit directs, they may choose to bear solemn and humble witness of the truth of the gospel during Fast and Testimony meeting and in family gatherings.

On our monthly Fast Sunday we use the money or goods that would otherwise have been used for food for the blessing of the poor and needy. Much more would we rejoice were it our privilege to be in your midst the coming Sabbath and tell you all that is in our hearts; but we are pilgrims in a world of sorrow and woe. In our journeyings to proclaim the gospel and bring about salvation to the honest in heart, God is with us and we prosper; though weary, we are not cast down nor discouraged, for we know that victory is with the upright.

And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance. In discovering and publishing the missing letters from the Prophet, including the choice statement about the law of the fast, the Twelve had retrieved a hidden gem of wisdom for the enrichment of the spiritual life of the Saints.

There is a type and an emblem to this discovery, for the law of the fast is itself a means to unearth hidden wisdom and spiritual truth. As we participate in fasting and prayer, we are often blessed to find within ourselves, through the blessings of the Lord, hidden strength and unexpected insight to facilitate our journey through mortal life.

Richard J. Mormons fast when they have tough questions, serious decisions to make, or for loved ones. Extended families hold special fasts when a family member is ill or needs special help. As mentioned above, the Church can call for a special fast, as when the entire Church membership fasted and donated the monetary value of the skipped meals to the starving populations of Africa. Fasting Mormons fast one Sunday each month for 24 hours and donate the money they would have spent on two meals to the poor.

Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. Have part of your family read Matthew —18 and the others read Doctrine and Covenants —16 to discover how we should fast.

Answers should include the following: in secret, joyfully, with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and faces. Then have family members read the same verses to find the blessings that come to those who fast properly.

Answers should include the following: we will be rewarded openly, we will receive fulness of joy and fulness of the earth. As you discuss with your children the spiritual feelings that come from fasting, be sure they understand that they may experience feelings of hunger and thirst, but they can grow in spirituality as they continue to cheerfully obey the commandment to fast. To help your family understand that wisdom should be used in deciding how long to fast on Fast Sunday, discuss the following statements:.

His law is perfect in this as in other things. Hence, those who can, are required to comply thereto; it is a duty from which they cannot escape; but let it be remembered that the observance of the Fast Day by abstaining twenty-four hours from food and drink is not an absolute rule, it is no iron-clad law to us, but it is left with the people as a matter of conscience, to exercise wisdom and discretion. Many are subject to weakness, others are delicate in health, and others have nursing babies; of such it should not be required to fast.

Neither should parents compel their little children to fast. I have known children to cry for something to eat on fast day. In such cases, going without food will do them no good. Instead, they dread the day to come, and in place of hailing it, dislike it; while the compulsion engenders a spirit of rebellion in them, rather than a love for the Lord and their fellows. Better teach them the principle, and let them observe it when they are old enough to choose intelligently, than to so compel them.

Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. Healthwise nothing could be farther from the truth. Missionaries, especially, must have strength to carry out their work and should not over-indulge in fasting anymore than in food-faddism. Curtis, M. Determine as a family how you can improve the quality of your fasting. It might be helpful to make individual commitments to be implemented on the next fast Sunday.

The family could meet before beginning the fast, discuss a righteous reason for fasting or a special blessing that is needed, and begin with prayer. Discuss the following questions to help your family understand the importance of helping those in need:.

Who supplies all of our physical needs? I didn't get any more powerful spiritual feelings or experiences out of those extreme practices than I have with day to day application of prayer and monthly fasting And also, that these expressions of sacrifice and worship need to be coupled with strong action to be effective You need to be a member in order to leave a comment.

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy! Already have an account? Sign in here. Third Hour Forum Rules - Please be familiar with these rules before posting. Sign in to follow this Followers 0. Fasting for over 24 hours? Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2. Recommended Posts. Report post. Posted November 9, In the scriptures it states that they fasted for many days. Here's one I just read today. Mosiah And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:.

Share this post Link to post Share on other sites. Another question, how long are we suppose to fast? Vort Misshalfway Danite 1. Posted November 10, BTW thanks for the responses everyone!

I am curious about the day fasts, myself. I think they had to of drank water after a day or two. Gwen 5. CarstenBN 0. Justice 3. Traveler Posted November 12, The Traveler. Posted November 19, Smith, in Conference Report, Oct.

Hemidakota 2. Mosiah Question, what was the process of a fast back then? Posted November 23, Guest mormonmusic. Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Create an account Sign up for a new account in our community. Register a new account. Sign in Already have an account?