What is Fast Sunday? MFAQ

MFAQ- Mormon Frequently Asked Questions


Today I have decided to tell you what Fast Sunday means for Mormons.   

When I was a kid, I always thought Fast Sunday meant that it was supposed to go faster, that church would be over quicker. But the opposite seemed to be true. So what is Fast Sunday anyway?

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fast Sunday is usually the first Sunday of the month (except for special occasions like General Conference, or Stake Conference that move it to a different Sunday like this month). 

On Fast Sunday, Members of the church who are able  observe a two meal or twenty four hour Fast, abstaining from all food or drink during this period. 

Generally, we start our fast with a prayer. Most people will fast for a purpose- to find a job, to have help for a sick friend or family member, to gain greater understanding of this or that principle.. etc.  The purposes of fasting  are to spiritually bring us closer to God, and closer together as a ward or church. Sometimes special fasts are done that aren't on fast Sunday for individuals, families and communities that feel a special need.  A family may choose to do a special fast on Fast Sunday for a sick family member, or an entire ward (congregation) may do a special fast for one of its members, or for missionary work, etc. This brings people together in a united purpose and builds extra faith and prayers in behalf of that person or cause.

 The money that would have been spent on those meals is donated by individuals and families through the churches contributions system which goes to the Bishops of the wards to distribute that money to families in the ward that are in need of extra help financially.   So by abstaining from food and then donating money that would have been spent, we can help those in need, help the hungry, and gain some empathy by choosing to be hungry for a little while ourselves. 
  Another part of Fast Sunday is what is called Fast and Testimony meeting. Normal Sundays we have a Sacrament meeting that consists of taking the Sacrament (communion) followed by Talks from the general ward congregation as assigned by the Bishop  or his councilors on a specific subject. On fast Sundays, after we receive the Sacrament,  the Bishop or one of his councilors start off the meeting by sharing their testimonies of Jesus Christ, and other gospel subjects, and then they open the floor to anyone who would like to share their testimonies. 

 This means anyone who wants to can get up to the pulpit during the allotted time and share their feelings and thoughts about Jesus Christ, the atonement, the Book of Mormon, the Bible, etc.  People will tell family stories about the way that they have felt Gods love, or seen his influence during the week. This is more or less  Fast and Testimony meeting.   

Any further questions about this or MFAQ that you would like answered, please post in comments. thanks

I'm a Mormon, and I Love it!! And Other Reflections on Today's General Conference

 Holy Cow!!! I love conference!! Its my favorite. And this was one of my all time favorites ever- so far, it can only get more awesome. 

So, I have had a friend ask me my opinion on the changes to missionary service ages, in that guys can now go on missions at 18, as opposed to 19, and sisters at 19, instead of 21. I think its awesome, I wish I could have gone when I was 19, but I am glad I went when I was 22, it was the right time for me.  So What do I think about this change, well I think the rising generation have to grow up faster than we did, I think they are ready for this. I think sisters serving at 19 will have less of a maturity gap, so they will be less irritated and frustrated with their Elders immaturity. With the sisters still being a year older, it will help them be less likely to try to date each other than if the Elders were older, or if they were the same age. 
  I'll be honest, as a missionary cut off from dating  and even hugs from the opposite sex, sometimes it can make you a bit hormonal and wacky, so its important to still have some age difference with the sisters being older.  I think the option of going at 18 for the boys will be good because they can loose that awkward year gap between high school and a mission where some people just got lost out of sheer boredom and a lack of direction in life. I think this is a good thing all around. 
  Also, I think the rising generation will be prepared for this. I mean, Preach My Gospel came out in 2004- while I was on my mission. That is nearly a decade ago. When it came out it was Incorporated into Family Home Evenings and other such things, so these kids will have had PMG growing up, and hopefully will have the gospel more written in their hearts and souls.  I came out on my mission just as they switch from discussions to PMG and we came out on our missions ready and prepared by the Lord for that change. God is in charge of his missionary program, and directs his prophet how best to run it and when to make changes, this one is no different, so I am super excited for the missionaries that get to be a part of this. 

I have dedicated the bulk of my writing  to that, because I was asked a specific question, but some other talks that stood out  to me- First Elder Cooks talk was amazingly inspiring and comforting. He talked about repentance in a way that made it something everyone should want to do, and that was awesome. Loved IT! 

Sister Dibbs talk was the funnest most awesome talk ever from a YW general presidency member, and I am a Mormon, I know it, I live it , and I love it! 'Nuf said. 

I was grateful for the comforting talk to those who have lost children, I hope this was comforting to my friends who have lost children or that have sick children. I love them, and their sadness makes me sad too.  

This afternoon I really loved the last two talks. Especially Elder Oaks on Children and protecting them and putting them first. I loved that he addressed the importance of the family, of Traditional family, but I also loved that his talk talked of treating those who struggle with same gender attraction with love and kindness, not hatred and bullying.  Its important to treat all of Gods children with love and we are all Gods children- as was said in another talk.
 I believe the previous talk was Elder Neil Anderson, on trials of faith, when he talked about the older single adults struggling with being older single adults for their various reasons, I appreciated that part. It was very cool to hear the faith of other single adults who wait faithfully and patiently on the Lord for the time they can have marriage and the family they desire.  It can be a fiery trial, but trials of faith really can bring us closer to Christ. I wish I could go through each talk. I loved Elder Nelsons explanations to non-Mormons about missionaries and what they do, and Mormons and what we believe. The whole day was just incredibly wonderful and I am so grateful to have heard every word that I did (some technical difficulties during Elder Oaks talk.)   I also loved Elder Hawks talk about the Book of Mormon and its importancs to the descendants of Lehi. AWESOME!! I loved the whole thing, and I can't wait for more. AMEN to everything that was said. To see any of these talks please visit  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng