Fast Sunday

Fast Sunday (formerly known as fast day ) is a Sunday on which members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fast . They also testify to the truth of the Mormon faith by bearing testimony of it. Therefore this meeting is also called a fasting and witnessing meeting.

Overview

On Fast Sunday, members are encouraged to skip two entire meals. Members are also encouraged to donate the money they save by fasting to the Church. This uses the money collected in this way to care for the needy.

There is a Lord's Supper on Fast Sunday . In addition, members of the Church fast and testify of their belief in Mormonism . Instead of dealing with fixed speakers and topics, everyone is allowed to come before the congregation on this Sunday and profess their faith. Non-Mormon people are also welcome to participate in these activities.

Fast Sunday is usually the first Sunday of every month. If circumstances so require, the day is adjusted by the bishop and the ward leadership. For example, a fast Sunday is held at general conference or the dedication of temples .

In addition, individual members can fast individually for special events.

history

The day of fasting was instituted through Joseph Smith , according to Brigham Young :

“You know that the first Thursday of every month is a fasting day. How many here know the origin of this day? Before tithing was paid, voluntary donations helped the poor. They came to Joseph wanting help in Kirtland. He said there should be a day of fasting that would be decided. The day was observed once a month, as it is now. Everything that was to be eaten that day was taken to the fasting meeting and given to a person who was held responsible for distributing it among the poor. "

In the 19th century, one-fifth of all Mormon converts in Britain were miners. Because of their heavy physical labor, they were allowed to fast on Sunday instead of Thursday. This practice became popular among members in the UK and soon spread. In 1896, the day of fasting was officially changed to the first Sunday of the month and no longer observed on Thursday. Since that time, the day in Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ has been called Fast Sunday .

Modern LDS church leaders have emphasized the need for a day of fast. For example, Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“What would happen if the principles of a fasting day and fasting donation were followed around the world? The hungry would be fed, the naked would be clothed, and those without a home would find a home. [...] A new habit of worry and selflessness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere. "

Health benefits

Research presented by Benjamin Horne to the American Heart Association at the University of Utah suggests that a weekly fast day helps against coronary artery disease . American Mormons generally have a 61% susceptibility to this disease. American non-Mormons, on the other hand, have a susceptibility of 66%. The use of tobacco by non-Mormons is blamed for this. However, 59% of American Mormons who underwent screening were found to have the disease compared with 67% of those who did not fast.

Further literature

Fasting in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Web links

Individual evidence

↑ Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses , Volume 12, p. 115: “You know that the first Thursday of each month we hold as a fast day. How many here know the origin of this day? Before tithing was paid, the poor were supported by donations. They came to Joseph and wanted help in Kirtland, and he said there should be a fast day, which was decided upon. It was to be held once a month, as it is now, and all that would have been eaten that day, of flour, or meat, or butter, or fruit, or anything else was to be carried to the fast meeting and put into the hands of a person selected for the purpose of taking care of it and distributing it among the poor. "
^ Gordon B. Hinckley: The State of the Church. In: Ensign , May 1991, pp. 52-53: “What would happen if the principles of fast day and the fast offering were observed throughout the world [?] The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. [...] A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere. "
↑ People who skip meals - are they better off? .

[1] Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses , Volume 12, p. 115: “You know that the first Thursday of each month we hold as a fast day. How many here know the origin of this day? Before tithing was paid, the poor were supported by donations. They came to Joseph and wanted help in Kirtland, and he said there should be a fast day, which was decided upon. It was to be held once a month, as it is now, and all that would have been eaten that day, of flour, or meat, or butter, or fruit, or anything else was to be carried to the fast meeting and put into the hands of a person selected for the purpose of taking care of it and distributing it among the poor. "

[2] Gordon B. Hinckley: The State of the Church. In: Ensign , May 1991, pp. 52-53: “What would happen if the principles of fast day and the fast offering were observed throughout the world [?] The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. [...] A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere. "

[3] People who skip meals - are they better off? .