Fasting draws one closer to God, fortifies faith and benefits others
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
As Church members live the law of the fast, they not only draw nearer to God through prayer, but they also feed the hungry and care for the poor, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday afternoon.
The law of the fast, he explained, "is based upon a primary, yet profound principle — a simple practice — that if observed with the proper spirit, will help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father and strengthen our faith while at the same time help us ease the burdens of others."
Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said Latter-day Saints are encouraged to fast whenever their faith needs special fortification and to fast regularly once each month on fast day. This fasting, he added, must be linked with prayer.
"Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting, it's simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father.
"Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful," he continued. "It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation."
Elder Wirthlin said fasting can help members develop courage and confidence; it can strengthen character, build self-restraint and discipline.
"Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power," he said. "Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions."
Fasting, he added, can help families in their daily work and can help members magnify their callings. It can also give members a greater understanding of the needs of others.
"When we fast, brothers and sisters, we feel hunger," Elder Wirthlin said. "And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel."
Elder Wirthlin emphasized that fast offerings are used for one purpose only — to bless the lives of those in need.
"As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have traveled the world testifying of Him. I come before you today to bear another witness — a witness of the suffering and need of millions of our Heavenly Father's children."
Elder Wirthlin asked parents to teach their children the joys of a proper fast by example.
"My brothers and sisters," he said, "the measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."
Concluding, Elder Wirthlin left a promise with the worldwide congregation: "I raise my voice in testimony and promise along with the great apostles that have preceded me that those who live the law of the fast will surely discover the rich blessings that attend this holy principle."
