Show AN ADDRESS to the officers and members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints dear brethren and it has baa been a practice i i the church of jesus jesue christ of latter day saints sanctioned ea by the word of the lord to 0 o fast baat and pray and in this manner to seek far that faith which saints should poss possess esp and obtain that spirit of hum humility lilly which we are commanded to cultivate shortly after the arrival of the people in the valley of the great bait lake the fina thursday dav in each month was set apart as ai a day of fasting and prayer the members of the church were enjoined to bring on that bat day their contributions for the relief and sustenance of ef the poor and hand them to the bishop of the ward at the time of the adoption of this regulation it was very convenient for the people generally to meet together in their places or of worship on that day the conditions were such that they being of one camb employers and employed M could leave their labor and nd devote a few hours to the worship of the lord par for many years these meetings were well attended and they were of a most interesting character and were a comfort and a strength to all who shared bared in them as it was the practice for persons of both sexes to bear their testimony 1 and take active part in them in each ward under the direction of the bishopric As an the he years rolled by conditions changed anil and it became more difficult for the people generally and especially those la in steady amplo employment ament to attend these meetings until at the present time they have dwindled to such an extent that comparatively few have the opportunity of attending them thursday as a day of fasting and prayer in the church no longer serves the object for which it was intended our attention has been called to this subject and after mature deliberation it has been decided to change the day hat has heretofore been devoted to this purpose instead of the she customary assemblages in the various wards throughout zion on the first thursday in each mouth we have concluded to set apart the first sunday in every month as the day for the regular fast meeting hereafter therefore we desire the latter day saints under the direction of the presidents president of stakes and the hops to meet in their several places of worship on the be afternoon of the first sunday in each month whenever it can da be done conveniently and devote the meeting to the administration of the sacrament to the bearing of test mony by the members of the church to the blessing of children and the confirming of members in the church a uch other services as have usually been attended to at such meetings we feel assured that excellent re will follow the of members of the church churell an opportunity to bear their testimony to each other and to seek for the gifts which the lord has promised to those who keep his commandments mand ments care should also be taken on snob occasions to see that the wants of the poor are relieved by the contributions of the saints in their that no ory cry of the indigent or suffering buffering shall hall arise irom from our land in the ears ear of the he lord of at Sab Sa boh soth in salt lake city instead of the people meeting in the tabernacle on the afternoon of the first sunday in each month we have concluded that it will be better for that service to be dispensed with and for the latter day saints to meet to in their several wards on that afternoon so as to give all the a members embers of the barj including the aged and infirm and others who are unable to go to the tabernacle an opportunity port unity to participate in the fast meeting and share in the blessings of the occasion in other stakes where general meetings are held as in this city we suggest that they also be dispensed with on the first sunday of each month and that the saints meet in their places of worship in the several wards in some places the custom has arisen to consider it a fast to omit eating breakfast this to Is not in accordance with the and practice ot of the past when fasts were observed in the early days it was the rule to not partake of food from the previous day until after the meeting in the afternoon of the fast day in making donations to the poor also it has been the understanding that the food that would be necessary for the two meals should be donated to the poor and sis as much more mare as those hose who are liberally inclined and have the me means may feel disposed to give in giving this counsel to the church upon this subject we include all the missions where the elders are laboring either la in the united states or in foreign lands lande we think this arrangement will suit the convenience anti and circumstances of all the latter day saints throughout the world and we would like it to be observed by all the organized branches of the church in every land so BO that our fasting and praying may be uniform and the time be u understood n der stood by all before closing this address to the saints we feel led to say eay that if there should be lickness sic knees or any evil resting reefing upon or threatening the people those these meetings furnish an excellent opportunity to bring such afflictions and troubles before the lord by approaching him in the spirit of humility and union we can supplicate him to remove those these boffilo bione tione or evils from the individuals or from the people our oar past pait experience peri ence has proved to us ua how willing our father in heaven to 18 to hear bear our orlea cries in the hours houn of extremity and difficulty when we approach him in a proper spirit and with proper faith he to is quick to hear bear the orlea cries of his people and he has baa promised us that if we will draw near unto him he will draw near unto uno us such saab occasions as ai these therefore ought to be taken advantage of bythe by the 8 filleted whether in an in or to in a collective capacity with constant prayers pray era for your welfare and happiness and the he prosperity of the work of goil god we are your brethren GEORGE Q CANNON JOSEPH IF SMITH first presidency |