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By Brent Roberts
Guest Columnist

As I write this, millions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are observing Fast Sunday.  

Fast Sunday, normally observed on the first Sunday each month, involves fasting for 24 hours and contributing the money that would have been spent on skipped meals to the Church.  Funds thus collected are distributed by the local Bishop to help those in need.  

In addition to helping those in need temporarily, fasting also includes spiritual dimensions.  

Fasting has been a part of the gospel since ancient times.  

Moses fasted as he prepared the tablets containing the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 34:28).  

Elijah fasted as he prepared to commune with God in the mountain (see 1 Kings 19:8).

In the New Testament, Anna, who recognized and celebrated the baby Jesus, “departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:36-38).  

Jesus himself fasted before going to face the temptations of the devil in the wilderness (see Matthew 4:1-4). 

President Dallin H. Oaks, of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught about fasting:  “Our fasting to help the hungry is an act of charity and, when done with pure intent, is a spiritual feast.”  

While fasting each month isn’t easy, we should do it joyfully, as Jesus taught: “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” (Matthew 6:16-18).  

Coupled with earnest prayer, fasting can also lead to spiritual strength and insights, as we prioritize spiritual needs over physical appetites.  

Fasting can bring strength to overcome temptations and weaknesses (see Mark 9:28-29).  

In The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the prophet Alma declared that he had received a spiritual witness of God’s truth through fasting:  “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:45-46).

Indeed, on the first Sunday each month, as Latter-day Saints fast, we gather and share testimonies of faith and joy in our worship services.  

Ultimately, as we care for those in need around us, we honor the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbor (see Matthew 22:35-40).  

We might not realize it, but when we care for those in need we show our true colors as Christian disciples and show our love for God:  “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

DR. BRENT ROBERTS is the Bishop of the Sandy River Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also Assistant Provost for Academic Outreach and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University.  He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.