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

starving in seattle

so, this one is going to be something quite personal, that I probably normally would not share on a blog, but I feel I should.
So earlier this week I decided I needed to do a special fast, and that I ought to actually do a full twenty four hour fast. I'll be honest, i don't think I have actually made it a full twenty four hours of fasting since my mission- over five years ago, but i wanted to show God that the issue at hand was indeed important to me, and also that I would put my faith and trust in him do the matter. I'll be honest, at times I barely made it through not caving in. I had FHE treats, i had grocery shopping to do, i had to pre-cook dessert for my date, and lunch for work when i would end my fast the next afternoon at one, and all sorts of temptations.
I listened to elder oaks talk on desire, from this last general conference. That gave me some strength and answers. the next day continuing was much easier in the morning. I was so happy i was going to do it. I had will power enough to sacrifice for something i really wanted. I lost that for a few years, it felt good to have that back. With one hour to go I headed out to use most of my lunch break for shopping for some new work clothes.
That is when God taught me a very important lesson on compassion. You see working in down town Seattle, everyday on my way too and from work, on my lunch break, I pass about fifty homeless, jobless beggars every day. I see a lot of them over and over again. And yesterday I learned Seattle is the last place I would want to be if I were hungry- even if its intentionally. As soon as i set out on my walk I was overwhelmed with the most amazingly wonderful food smells everywhere. You can ask my old mission companions, but when I am hungry I get mean. At one point I almost lost focus and was going to deck someone and steal their sandwich and run for it. But thankfully I did not. I made it the twenty four hours, then ate my lunch, and a bit more.
I loved the experience. I learned s much from it. In the doctrine and covenants it says 'verily,verily, I say unto you this is fasting and prayer, or rejoicing and prayer'. For me that fast truly became a day of rejoicing, for my original purpose as well as my gratitude for the food I have to eat daily.