Why do mormons fast

Fasting means to go without food and drink. Occasional fasting is good for our bodies and helps our minds become more active. The Savior taught us that purposeful fasting is more than just going without food and drink.

We must also concentrate on spiritual matters. Prayer is a necessary part of fasting. Throughout the scriptures, prayer and fasting are mentioned together. Our fasting should be accompanied by sincere prayer, and we should begin and end our fasting with prayer.

Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome weaknesses or problems by fasting and praying. Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for others, such as a family member who is ill and needs a blessing see Mosiah — Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon.

We can fast to help others embrace the truth. Fasting can help comfort us in times of sorrow and mourning see Alma —6. Fasting can help us become humble and feel closer to our Heavenly Father see Helaman The Gospel Principles manual shares just a few blessings we can expect when we fast properly. Studies have even shown that fasting physically blesses those who do it. As President Joseph F. Smith has noted, not everyone is able to fast.

For example, my grandmother cannot partake in a traditional fast because of a medical issue. Even so, she does not let that stop her from fasting altogether.

Instead, she adapts the fast to her circumstances. In lieu of giving up all food, she will give up a favorite food over a longer period of time. In this way, she feels she is still sacrificing and can receive the blessings of participating in a fast. Elder Pratt expressed his concern that members were not fasting correctly.

Saturday night after dinner, I make a special note to remember to pray and open my fast. I find a specific purpose to ponder over and pray about in the next 24 hours as I seek divine guidance. I do my best to remain cheerful and optimistic Sunday at Church, even if I get hungry. I keep a prayer in my heart until the evening meal comes again, when I close my fast with a thankful prayer.

Search Search Search. Many specific reasons for fasting are found in the scriptures. It is a general obligation imposed by revelation upon church members in good standing. Doctrine and Covenants ; ; Luke ; 2 Corinthians ; It is itself a form of the true worship of God. Luke ; Acts ; Alma ; 4 Nephi Temples are houses of fasting Doctrine and Covenants ; ; , McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed.

Great blessings flow from God to the faithful who sincerely practice a prayerful fast, whether it be strengthening, healing, or an increase of understanding. We are to act with faith and bring an offering of sincere fasting and prayer in order to have a more contrite disposition in accordance with heavenly principles.

The blessings of the Spirit and the power to teach by that same Spirit come through fasting and prayer see also Alma The blessings of faith and humility, even unto sanctification by the Holy Spirit, come through fasting and prayer. The Lord has instituted the fast on a reasonable and intelligent basis, and none of his works are vain or unwise.

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. The Church designates one Sunday each month, usually the first Sunday, as a day of fasting.

Members are asked to go without food and drink for two consecutive meals, or approximately 24 hours. They are also asked to contribute the money that they would have spent on food for those meals to the Church, which, through its welfare system, uses to care for those in need. This money is called a fast offering.