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Show 1 Fasting traditional way of worship ity to show the Savior our love for Him by keeping His commandments. command-ments. Remember, "...inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matt. 25:40) Editor's Note: The author alone is responsible for this work. It is not to be considered an official statement from the LDS Church. By FRANK SANO Many people are familiar with the concept of fasting. One of the first times fasting is mentioned in the Bible is when Moses went up to Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments from the Lord. We of course, are familiar with the Savior fasting forty days and nights as He communed with the Father. "Fasting, with prayer as its companion, is designed to increase spirituality; to foster a spirit of devotion de-votion and love of God; to increase faith in the hearts of men; to en courage humility and contrition of soul; to aid in the acquirement of righteousness..." (Mormon Doctrine: Doc-trine: Bruce R. McConkie, Book-craft Book-craft 1966). Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints observe "Fast Sunday" on the first Sunday of each month. They abstain from food and drink for two meals, then contribute the money to the poor that would normally have been spent on food. This regular fasting not only gives members of the church a regular opportunity to increase in-crease their own level of spirituality, spiritual-ity, but in a very real sense, members mem-bers practice self-denial so that they may help a neighbor in need. The bishop of the ward disburses the fast offerings to the needy in his jurisdiction. Along with providing relief on a one-on-one basis, the LDS Church has assisted entire communities during disaster situations. Such items as food, clothing, shelter, bedding, money, medical supplies, labor, etc. have been provided with these fast offering funds for such tragedies as the famine in China in 1907 and the U.S. influenza epidemic epide-mic in 1918. Relief was sent to Europe in the post war era of the 1940's and 1950's. Earthquakes in Iran in 1963 and Japan in 1964, floods in Australia in 1974 and in Pennsylvania and Kansas Kan-sas in 1977 were also calamities to which the LDS Church fast offering offer-ing funds were disbursed. Of course, let's not forget our own backyard, the Teton Dam collapse col-lapse in 1976 and the Utah flooding and mudslides in 1983 were events which sent millions of dollars in aid to needy people. A special church-wide church-wide fast was called in 1985 for those starving in central Africa. Not only did we as church members mem-bers have a special opportunity to pray for these people, but were able to provide monetarily to help relieve their suffering. In a time when many of us are fortunate enough to live the "good life," and are able to provide for the needs and most of the wants of our families, it is easy to forget that many in this world (and even in our own neighborhoods) are having difficult times providing the very necessities of life for their families. The opportunities to fast and to pay a generous fast offering monthly month-ly can be a greater lesson in humility humil-ity for us. Let us use this oppoitun- |