Fasting

1. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique, although the principle of fasting has been observed down through ecclesiastical history.” (President Hunter, Fast Day, 1985 October Conference)
2. “I fear … that too many of us are either not fasting on fast day or we are doing so in a lackadaisical manner.” (Elder Pratt, The Blessings of a Proper Fast, 2004 October Conference)
3. “Fasting helps to teach us self-mastery. It helps us to gain the discipline we need to have control over ourselves.” (Elder Perry, The Law of the Fast, 1986 April Conference)
4. ““The tremendous blessings that come [from fasting] have been spelled out in every dispensation.” (Elder Brown, Fast Offerings: Fulfilling Our Responsibility to Others, 1981 April Conference)
5. “Through fasting and prayer, they received the assurance, comfort, and peace that all would be well.” (Elder Haleck, Having the Vision to Do, 2012 April Conference)
6. “Prayer can also be enhanced by fasting.” (Elder Nelson, Lessons from the Lord’s Prayer, 2009 April Conference)
7. “by fasting and by paying our fast offerings, we are told that then we might call on the Lord and He will hear our cry and our call.” (President Monson, Be Thou an Example, 1996 October Conference)
8. “We also must remember that genuine fasting fosters strong faith. This is especially important as we faithfully seek to fix deeply embedded character flaws which go “not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Elder Clayton, Help Thou Mine Unbelief, 2001 October Conference)
9. “A testimony is a simple expression of what we feel. Even a child can feel such things, which may be why sometimes the testimony of a child so moves us and why our preparation of fasting and prayer produces in us childlike feelings.” (President Eyring, Witness for God, 1996 October Conference)
10. “Teach your loved ones how to draw upon the powers of heaven through fasting and prayer.” (Elder Jensen, Stand Firm, 2001 October Conference)

Why it matters:

I have wanted to strengthen my testimony about fasting, so I was excited to gather quotes on the topic. I often think about what Jesus told his disciples that these things are not solved without “much prayer and fasting.” I have tried to have more purpose and focus in my fasting, as it is a tendency for me to simply go without food. I have come to know that there is a power in fasting, and I am grateful that I can fast at any time and for any purpose.