LDS (Mormon) Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin - Law of the Fast 2/2

http://TrueMormonDoctrine.com

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) delivered this address:

My beloved brethren and sisters, I feel as you do that Elder David B. Haight is an inspiration to the entire Church and so many others.

Two thousand years ago, upon the sand and stones of Galilee walked a man that few recognized for who He truly was: the Creator of worlds, the Redeemer, the Son of God.
A lawyer approached Him and asked, "What is the greatest commandment?"
Jesus answered: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
"This is the first and great commandment.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."1
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has established His Church once again among men. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, restored to the earth in these latter days, is centered on those commandments the Savior proclaimed as the greatest: to love our Heavenly Father and to love our fellowmen. Our Savior said, "If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments."2 One way we show our love is through observance of the law of the fast. This law is based upon a primary yet profound principle—a simple practice—that, if observed with the proper spirit, will help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father and strengthen our faith, while at the same time help us ease the burdens of others.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are encouraged to fast whenever their faith needs special fortification and to fast regularly once each month on fast day. On that day, we go without eating or drinking for two consecutive meals, commune with our Heavenly Father, and contribute a fast offering to help the poor. The offering should be at least equal to the value of the food that would have been eaten. Typically, the first Sunday of each month is designated as fast Sunday. On that day, members who are physically able are encouraged to fast, pray, bear witness to the truthfulness of the gospel, and pay a generous fast offering. "The law of the fast," taught Elder Milton R. Hunter, "is probably as old as the human family. . . . In ancient times, prophet-leaders repeatedly gave to church members the commandment to observe the law of fasting and praying."3
We observe that in the scriptures, fasting almost always is linked with prayer. Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it's simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation.
Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions.
Fasting and prayer can help us in our families and in our daily work. They can help us magnify our callings in the Church. President Ezra Taft Benson taught: "If you want to get the spirit of your office and calling as a new president of a quorum, a new high [councilor], a new bishop [or, I might say, a Relief Society president]—try fasting for a period. I don't mean just missing one meal, then eating twice as much the next meal. I mean really fasting, and praying during that period. It will do more to give you the real spirit of your office and calling and permit the Spirit to operate through you than anything I know."

he Prophet Joseph Smith taught: "Let this be an [example] to all saints, and there will never be any lack for bread: When the poor are starving, let those who have, fast one day and give what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops for the poor, and every one will abound for a long time. . . . And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance."

For the full transcript, visit http://www.lds.org

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[RodneyHampton]

I am more and more impressed with the Mormon church the more I learn about it. I have some doctrinal concerns, but there is no doubt, watching this Elder, that the LDS have it right on the issue of fasting and feeding the poor with a fast day offering.

[lds9999]

Thanks for your comment. I don't know if you knew, but Elder Wirthlin actually just passed away last week.

[strikerhiryu]

Amén, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin!

[ShonPhoenix]

This was very enlightening. I have been fasting incorrectly for a long time. Now I know the full meaning and am grateful.

[KiriannasBoyARtisan]

Rest In Peace, Joseph Wirthlin. Who'll replace him now?

[omiolo]

"often when fast offereing funds where depleted my father would take money from his own pocket"

what a great man! and what a great lesson taught to his son!

[goodmusicvideosonly]

I have had too many blessings in my life just for trying to follow this teachings about the law of fasting and caring for the poor! Priceless video !!!!