Sometimes I think we have a lot of commandments, most of the time I just try to live worthily and do my best. And then I read something in the scriptures which makes me consider how I have been obeying a particular commandment. When you know better you do better right?- Ok so being Human this is not always the case, BUT when you know better and you don't do anything, I kinda sorta feel that I'm going to have to answer MORE for my behavior than I did before I realized it was a big thing.
So I don't often think about fasting, it’s one of those commandments that I should do, but never really thought of as a commandment before.
Then I was reading for my religion class using a technique called cause and effect, essentially looking for IF, THEN principles. So the IF, THEN doesn't really apply here, but I thought it was interesting that it was in using a technique that I started looking closer at scriptures we read at least once a year...right? The scripture I'm referring to starts around Matthew 3:15 the Savior says “it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness”, Of course here he is talking about being baptized but right after his baptism what does he do? He fasts for forty days. This started me thinking. If the savior a perfect person, needed to be BAPTISED to fulfill all righteousness, why did he fast? Was it for the same reason? Then I came across this scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 88.76 “I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth.”
Wait what? I have been a member my whole life and never really SAW that fasting was a commandment.
- Clear tangent here but we can also read in John 1:5, And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. I was totally in the dark, possibly by choosing not to see this as a commandment? Interesting concept. Should I be repenting for not obeying this commandment, or just doing better?
Back to Fasting, what are the benefits of fasting, let’s just acknowledge that fasting is a commandment and I should be doing it, monthly. Not for forty days, but for twenty-four hours. I might start small and work up to 24 hours even. I ate an hour ago and already I’m looking for something to munch on. Maybe I’m just being an unfaithful servant? But seriously if your kids are just starting to fast don’t make them do a whole 24 hours, kids are mean when they are hungry.
The benefits of fasting. There must be some, for a start, this is what the Savior did before he started his ministry so there must be some spiritual benefit to fasting.
Elder L. Tom Perry said there is "humility and spiritual strength derived from fasting" you can read or listen his talk here, it’s really good
Like most (read all) commandments there is surely not just one reason to live this commandment, At the very least there is obeying the commandment to be obedient, then add to that physical health, helping the hungry (through fast offerings which is kinda the same topic but I'm not talking about it here) and drawing near to the spirit.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “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. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation” You can also read or listen to his talk here:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/the-law-of-the-fast?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/the-law-of-the-fast?lang=eng
It’s another good one. It helps add dimension to fasting, fasting is not just going hungry. It is more than that.
The savior fasted for forty days we can manage it for one. Food for thought.
