S. Grandfather, would you have some time to talk with me before Fast Meeting?
G. Sara, there is nothing I’d rather do than talk with you. What shall we discuss?
S. Tell me about fasting, Grandfather. I know some of the usual things that are said about it, but I want to know what it means to you. I know that you have fasted often.
G. Very well. Let’s begin with those “usual things.” Foundations may be very ordinary, but they are very important. Tell me what fasting is to you, Sara.
S. Fasting is to go without food or water.
G. How is that different than going hungry?
S. Mother has taught us that there are two special things that make fasting. First, we must choose for ourselves not to eat or drink, and second, we should begin and end our fast with prayer. She always reminds us to go say a special prayer before we break our fast.
G. Now tell me why you fast.
S. I mostly fast on Fast Sunday. I do it then because everybody is supposed to.
G. Who is “everybody?”
S. Well, I mean members of the church.
G. Everybody in the church is supposed to fast?
S. I guess I really mean everyone who can. I know that sick people and little children don’t need to fast. I remember that when Mother was expecting, Daddy would caution her not to fast unless it was right. Sometimes she didn’t, but most of the time she did. She said she was so grateful to Heavenly Father and our Savior that she wanted to fast to thank them. I have even seen her fasting when she was nursing. I asked her about that. She laughed and said that she became very thirsty and that sometimes the baby had less milk, but that it was well worth it.
G. You have been taught some very important things about fasting. Are there other times or situations when people should not fast?
S. Yes, I think so. A long time ago Mother wanted an answer to a question she had. She fasted often. She became very weak, and the doctor said she was anemic. Daddy talked with her about it many times, and finally she stopped. Daddy said we should not fast unless the Savior tells us to. He said we are supposed to do what pleases Jesus, and that fasting when the Savior doesn’t tell us to is a waste. He called it a trap. He said Satan could get extra power over us if we go hungry and weaken our bodies when we have not been told to do so by the Holy Spirit. He read to us how the Savior fasted for forty days because he was led out into the wilderness by the Spirit to be with God.
G. That is a true principle, Sara. I too have found that fasting must not only be voluntary, but that it must be right to do it. The only way I know to be sure it is right is to feel the prompting of the Spirit. When we received the news that you were born and that you and your Mother were both alright, I was prompted to fast for joy, for the blessing that our Heavenly Father had seen you and your Mother through a very difficult pregnancy. I rejoiced too, for the faith and the sacrifice of both of your parents. Did you know that your parents greatly desired to have you, Sara?
S. Yes, I feel their love. It has given me a warm feeling all of my life whenever I have thought about being wanted. Sometimes when I fast, I especially thank Heavenly Father for that. But Grandfather, tell me about the things I don’t already know.
G. Such as …
S. What does the word “fast” mean? Is it related to the fast of fast and slow?
G. I think not. I understand the word fast to mean “firm,” as when a ship is made fast to the dock or as when something is glued, it holds fast. We also speak of a color being fast, meaning that it won’t wash out.
S. That sounds as if “fast” means “attached.”
G. Yes, that’s a fair synonym.
S. But I don’t see how that applies to the fast when we don’t eat.
G. Let’s try and analogy. Suppose you wish to take a walk and do so. What are you then doing?
S. I guess you mean I would be walking.
G. Correct! Now let us suppose you wish to become firmly attached to the Savior. Since he is not here, we cannot hold him fast as Mary sought to do in the garden. What does he send to us in his place?
S. He sends the Holy Spirit to be with us until he comes.
G. Right. Now can you think of a way you could hold fast to the Holy Spirit?
S. No, I can’t. Isn’t that why spirits are called spirits? Because we can’t touch them?
G. That’s one reason. But there are other ways to be firmly attached to a spirit other than touching.
S. Grandfather, are you serious?
G. Yes, my dear. I’m trying to help you to think some new thoughts. Do you remember the tree of life vision which father Lehi and his son Nephi shared?
S. Yes. I especially remember the mists of darkness and the building where everyone was pointing fingers at the righteous.
G. What did those mists of darkness represent?
S. I think they were like the temptations of Satan.
G. And how did the righteous keep from wandering away from the path that led to the tree?
S. They had to hold to the iron rod. Aren’t we a long way from fasting now?
G. We are getting very close. What should one do to not lose the iron rod?
S. Hold onto it.
G. How should you hold onto it?
S. Hold it fast—do you mean that fasting is holding fast?
G. That’s where we have been going. Remember you said that taking a walk involves walking? So to hold fast to the iron rod involves …
S. … fasting, Grandfather. I’ve never heard the word used like that before.
G. You may not again soon, either. But sometimes to shed light on something we need to try new lights. Now do you remember what the iron rod stands for?
S. Yes. I always remember because we sing the song so much: “The iron rod is the word of God.”
G. What is the word of God?
S. The scriptures?
G. In a manner of speaking, yes. But let us be more particular. As we open the Book of Mormon and look at a page, what do you see?
S. I see a lot of words from I Nephi, chapter one.
G. Are they the words of God?
S. Certainly. I know the Book of Mormon is true!
G. Now look at this Spanish edition. We will turn to the same chapter. Now what do you see?
S. I see Spanish words.
G. Are these the word of God?
S. Yes, they must be. It is the same book.
G. But they look quite different. How can they be the same book?
S. Grandfather, the words are different, but the meaning is the same. That’s why it is the same book.
G. Now Sara, think carefully before you answer. Which is the word of God: The English words, the Spanish words, or the meaning they both have?
S. I think it would have to be the meaning.
G. And how does one learn the meaning of any scripture, in any language?
S. By praying to receive the Holy Ghost so that we can understand what God meant us to understand.
G. Can you think of a scripture that supports that idea?
S. Yes. Peter said that scripture is not to be interpreted privately, but by the same spirit by which it was given, the Holy Spirit.
G. What then is the true meaning of the iron rod?
S. It is still the word of God. But I see now that it is the message and not the symbols.
G. And again, how do we get the message?
S. From the Holy Spirit. I see. It is the whisperings of the spirit which are the iron rod.
G. How then does one hold fast to them?
S. By listening carefully and by remembering what we are told.
G. And one more thing.
S. To do what we are told to do?
G. To listen to the Holy Spirit, to believe, to remember, to obey—these are the things that please God. These are what faith in Jesus Christ consists of, for the Holy Spirit brings us the words of Christ.
S. Now please put it all together for me, Grandfather, to see if I really understand.
G. Fasting is in part abstaining from food and drink that we might better hear, believe, remember and obey the words of Christ. This is how we can stay in that narrow way that leads to eternal life.
S. Yes. I think I understand that now. Let me say it in other words. Fasting is the process of becoming firm and fast in the word of God?
G. That is correct.
S. But why is abstaining from eating and drinking so helpful?
G. Because, as Paul says, the flesh wars against the spirit. Satan works on us through our mortal tabernacles. He tempts us to eat, to drink, to sleep, in ways and times and places that are not good for us. The more he can get us to give in to the desires of our bodies, the more control he has over us and the more evil he can get us to do.
S. Is that why the word of wisdom is so important?
G. Indeed. The word of wisdom gives us a chance to declare obedience to the Savior through the spirit, or we can choose to relax into the arms of Satan by yielding to social pressures and body desires.
S. So we abstain that we might be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to make it easier to obey?
G. True. It is very difficult to receive and to discern the Holy Spirit in administering to the sick when one has a full stomach. When we fast, the spirit seems to come much more readily, and in greater power. The Savior once chided his disciples for not being able to cast out devils. He told them that “this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt 17:21)
S. I think I have experienced some of the same thing in partaking of the sacrament. I know that it is a real joy to partake when fasting. But I have felt sometimes that the Holy Spirit is offended when I partake just after having eaten a big Sunday meal. The result just isn’t the same.
G. That is good discernment on your part, Sara. I believe that we need to be sensitive to the Spirit at all times. Then we will often receive instruction as to what and how much to eat or drink, when to retire, when to rise in the morning, when to work, when to pray, when to play. I remember several times when I felt I should not eat breakfast, and then not eat lunch,—then to receive a call late in the afternoon to administer to someone. What a joy it was to be spiritually thus prepared to give a blessing.
S. Grandfather, you mentioned that abstinence is only part of fasting. What else is part of this idea of being firm in the way of the Lord?
G. There are three precious passages of scripture which enlarge the idea of fasting to my mind, Sara. Would you turn first to Matthew 6:16–18 and read it aloud.
S. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
What do you make of that, Grandfather?
G. At one time men “disfigured their faces” or donned sackcloth and ashes to call public attention to the fact that they were fasting. This gave them sort of a “public piety,” which was its own reward. I see the Savior’s statement as an indication that fasting is something to be done quietly, as it were in secret. If something is to show, let it be the good works that come from the increased spirituality and humility of true fasting.
S. This is the “let your light so shine …” idea?
G. Yes. If our fasting produces greater righteousness in us, then men will take hope in the cause of righteousness in this world, and will be thus encouraged to glorify God. True fasting in secret helps the cause of Christ in the earth, whereas the false fasting for show calls attention only to ourselves.
S. Are there other things that clearly separate true fasting from wrong fasting?
G. One simple test is to see what a person does when he breaks his fast. If he then gorges himself with food or deliberately breaks the commandments in any other way, he shows that his fasting was not very spiritual; he mostly just went hungry.
S. Doesn’t that happen to most people? A true fast must be a very difficult thing.
G. I understand why it is so hard because I have “just gone hungry” many times. It is the “natural” thing to do. The more we can learn to be spiritual and obedient, the more we will be like the Savior, and the less we will give in to the flesh and be “natural.” Servants of the Savior are supposed to be different from people who do not know him.
S. What is another test of true fasting?
G. Another test is found in the second precious scripture I want us to go over. Would you please read Isaiah 58:3–7.
S. “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to unto the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hid not thyself from thine own flesh?”
G. Like the first test, this one we can best use on ourselves. The question is, why do we fast? Do we fast to solve our own problems, to gain the success we desire, to make money, to take advantage of someone? The Lord plainly says that the fast he wishes us to undertake is to do his will, his pleasure. He wants us to feed the poor, to comfort the bereaved, and to free souls from wicked powers.
S. What does it mean when it says, “and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
G. You have heard the saying, “Charity starts at home.” Those of our own flesh are our own family members. Righteousness would have us be much with our family, teaching and sharing the gospel, ministering to their needs. I believe that the special spirituality many mothers have is because they do not hide themselves from their own flesh. Instead of leaving home to work or socialize, they spend most of their time at home creating a haven of love, warmth and order.
S. I’m thankful that Mother has done that. I haven’t always appreciated the sacrifices she has made to be a full-time mother.
G. Can you see that this kind of righteousness, this kind of obedience to the Savior is part and parcel of fasting?
S. I see that fasting is to become firm and strong in obedience to the Savior, and that going hungry to get help to break the commandments is kind of like a bad joke.
G. It isn’t a bit funny. Let’s turn now to the third scripture. This one is Doctrine and Covenants 59:7–14. Would you please?
S. “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High; Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times; But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord. And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that they fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full. Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.”
G. This passage tells me that fasting is perfect, or complete, only when it includes joy and rejoicing. We know that wickedness never was happiness. We also know that it is keeping the commandments of the Savior that leads to happiness.
S. So if we engage in a true fast, we abstain in secret and this brings us closer to the Holy Spirit; then being close to the Spirit helps us to obey the Savior, which brings joy in righteousness into our lives. Is that a correct picture?
G. This is the true fast in a nutshell, as I understand it, Sara. When men do this, enduring to the end, they become as the righteous angels, about whom Moroni says:
For behold, they are subject unto him [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. (Moroni 7:30)
S. Grandfather, I think that our Heavenly Father has given us a beautiful and plain path to follow.
G. And if we follow, “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man” the rich blessings and opportunities of those who trust in our Savior and stay themselves upon him. We get a glimpse of this in the Isaiah passage. Would you read verses 8 through 12?
S. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58:8–12)
S: Thank you, grandfather, for opening my eyes to the greatness and beauty and power of fasting.