Mormon Monday: Fasting and the Sacrament

On the first Sunday of every month in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a church-wide fast where we go without food or water for two meals.

Since I became pregnant with Kevin, I have not been able to fast due to nursing and other factors. Instead of fasting food, I would go without television or sugar during that time period so I could still participate. As Kevin's need for sustenance diminished, I was able to fast one meal, and I was grateful for the opportunity.

Yesterday, for the first time in over two years, I felt that I was capable of fasting two meals again. It was a happy moment for me. Fasting brings a lot of power into our lives.

Elder Shayne M. Bowen in April 2009 said:

What if there were a way to overcome our habits, addictions, and burdens? What if there were a way to gain sufficient confidence in the Lord that you could call down the powers of heaven? What if there were principles you could teach your loved ones that, if applied, would allow them to overcome personal weaknesses and draw closer to God?

As we properly understand and live the law of the fast, these desired blessings can be ours.

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).

Our Father will free us from the bands of wickedness, He will lift our heavy burdens, and He will let the oppressed go free. In fact He promises to empower us to break every yoke. What an enabling promise, to have the power to break every yoke!

Proper and consistent fasting can help us overcome sins, bad habits, and addictions. Is there any of us who would not want to be freed from the personal burdens we carry? Fasting allows us to avail ourselves of this cleansing and purifying power.

I have felt that power in my life.

However, as I was sitting in the first meeting at church yesterday, I wasn't feeling so optimistic. My head was beginning to pound, and I was feeling weak. I didn't know if I was going to make it through the whole three hours without eating something. I had already missed breakfast, and it was an hour past lunch time.

We finished singing the sacrament hymn, which is designed to help bring the spirit before we partake of the sacrament.

When we take of the bread and water, we do it in remembrance of our Savior Jesus Christ. The bread represents his body, and the water represents the blood that was shed for us. When we partake of these symbols, we promise the Lord that we will keep His commandments, always remember Him, and take His name upon us. These are the same things that we promise at baptism. In return, the Lord has promised that He will forgive our sins, and that we will have His Spirit to be with us.

The Lord himself instigated the sacrament. It has always been a fundamental part of His church.

I wasn't feeling very good, but after I had partaken of the bread and water, I noticed a remarkable change. I suddenly felt re-energized and my headache subsided! As I contemplated how much better a morsel of bread and a tiny cup of water had made me feel, my mind suddenly made a connection, and I felt enlightened. It wasn't the tiny piece of bread or the water that had changed me. They were only symbols of my Savior. It was my Savior who had actually strengthened me and helped me in that moment.

Often in this life, we are asked to endure difficult things. Sometimes, those things can seem to be beyond our abilities to complete. However, with the assistance of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are capable of doing anything. This is the grace that is talked about in the scriptures.

I thought that I wouldn't be able to fast the full two meals. Right before I took the sacrament, I was thinking about eating some of the snacks we had for Kevin because I was feeling so weak. However, simply by taking the sacrament, I found that I was able to endure the next several hours and overcome my own insufficiency. I found that the simple reminder of my Savior was enough to sustain me and help me be stronger.

Sometimes, all we need is a reminder that someone is there helping us and caring for us. The Savior is always there. All we have to do is turn to him. There is power in the sacrament and in remembering our Savior throughout the week. There is power in fasting. I know those things that we fasted for yesterday will be answered in the way that is best for our family.

I'm so grateful for the lesson that the Spirit taught me yesterday. Too often, I think I'm strong enough to go through this life alone. The thing that I constantly need to remember is that I wasn't meant to walk alone. I was meant to help and be helped by others. We are here together, and as we strive to serve others, we can ALL return to our Father in Heaven.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Game Fast

Occasionally, I have to put myself on game (or other entertainment) fasts, meaning that I don't watch/play them for a week.

Usually I decide to do this when I worry that my consumption is taking time away from more important things, like my family or other duties I have.

This week, I've been fasting all computer games, internet or otherwise. I've really enjoyed it actually. I've gotten more work done on animating and family history than I have in a month or so. Sometimes it is nice to just put away the entertainment and work on projects instead.

The other thing I love about fasting like this, is that I regain my sense of control over my life. If every time I turn on the computer I have to play a game, am I really in control?

Taking a break once in a while shows me that I control how much time I spend on something. I have a tendency toward addictive behavior occasionally (especially where entertainment is concerned), and fasting from things that I might be on the verge of getting addicted to puts a stop to any addictions that may be forming.

Why am I sharing this?

Well, if is works for me and helps me keep control of my life, it might work for someone else. If there is something in your life that you are thinking about all the time or spending a lot of time on and it's not family , maybe try to take a break from it for a week.

I have really noticed a difference this week in myself and Kevin. We've been playing more too, and I've been paying more attention to the little things he's doing.

That's not to say that normally I'm a terrible mother and I play games all day, but eliminating games completely does give me more time for my son.

And who wouldn't want to spend more time with this kid?

The one down-side is that now I don't feel like I get a break. Now, when I finish something, I think, "What should I do now?" and the answer is usually, "Oh, I should work on this project." So, I am getting a little stressed out because my mind feels like I'm working all the time.

So, will I continue the fast indefinitely? No.

Games and entertainment have their place as well. It's all about finding the right balance in your life. It's okay to occasionally play games as long as I limit the amount of time I spend on them and always puts Kevin's needs first.

The fast just helps me to regain control and reprioritize. I am very grateful that I practice these occasionally.

I think this is the same principal behind why our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has a monthly food fast. Food is a good thing, but when we can control our desire and impulse for it, we become stronger and gain more self-control.

I feel stronger at the end of this week.

If you want to try this, feel free. It wasn't my idea originally. God thought it up first. If you think it will help you, please try it. There's nothing like knowing you are stronger than your impulses.