Mormon converts: When did you start fasting on Fast Sunday?

Question

Was it immediate or did it take you a while to get started? I've been a member for a while now, over 14 years, but I've never made it through a full Fast Sunday. I also don't think I was really doing it right. I know you're supposed to begin and end with prayer, but I never know if I'm going to try or not, so I forget to finish my last meal on Saturday with prayer. I'm going to really try this Sunday, and have a "game plan" so to speak. And I hope I succeed. I've tried sacrificing something else instead of food and water, and that has sometimes worked and I feel better for having done it, but I can't help but think that if I do it right I will feel better. I know it's not just about what I can get out of it, but I also know that until I'm able to have self-mastery over food & drink for 24 hours I'm selling myself short and not being obediant.

I didn't ask my question for non-Mormons, so please be respectful.

While specific to Mormon converts, my intent is to get opinions/answers from adults who joined the church or from those who were adults when when they began fasting. In many LDS families children over 8 are given the option to fast. And if you grew up fasting, it's not the same.

Thanks Daisy, Pink, & Pye. I have made it from say 9pm to 4 or 5pm, a few times. I'll try Daisy's suggestion this Sunday, and try not to be so hard on myself - especially now that I know of others who haven't quite made it a full 24 hours. Thanks :)

Thanks trollwzrd. I have diabetes, but the meds I'm on don't require that I eat something before taking the meds, and I have gone before without eating breakfast and I'm ok. So I think it is safe to at least attempt a fast. But I've always heard it is food and drink.

Cookie, thanks. Due to previous health problems I need to keep an eye on my liver, and didn't know about needing to drink water during a fast to help it out. If that becomes a problem, I will do so.
I would really like to read your uncle's book, if he ever writes it.
I fasted yesterday, and tried really hard to have it be more of a spiritual thing than just going without food. I didn't have any problems going without the food, but still felt something was lacking, despite doing as trollwzrd suggested (which I only read today). I will try again.
Thanks for everyones help. :)

Answer 1

This is a late answer, but I'd like to add that fasting while still drinking some water makes it much easier on your liver. I say that because I've had a health condition over the last year or even longer where I've learned that I have to keep drinking water through a shorter fast in order to avoid fainting or feeling worse after fasting instead of better. If you are a woman still in the child-bearing years, it would be a good idea to talk to a doctor first about fasting because there are some unique nutritional needs for women that fasting affects more than it does for men. I started at age 11 or 12 but became really sick to my stomach the first time. It got easier in the late teens but harder again after the mid-twenties. It's ok to do a modified or shorter fast, and again, drink plain water to help your liver. The fast says to go without food or drink, but it's not supposed to make you dehydrated or feel worse than when you started, especially if you are eating again later. It's up to us to learn how to make it a fast focused on exercising faith and keeping a positive feeling of rejoicing and gratitude. My uncle is interested in writing a book sometime about how to make fasting more fulfilling and health-oriented with a focus on Christ, instead of just "going without."

Answer 2

I have been a member for 45 years and have been taught that when we fast for fast Sunday that it is from Saturday evening meal to Sunday evening meal. But we should prepare our Sunday meal on Saturday evening, so that way we are not doing any labor.
It is taught that we skip 2 meals, Sunday breakfast and lunch, and then have dinner Sunday evening. Hence it is actually about 24 hours. Also we do not have to do without water or liguids. So if you drink some water or something then that also may help you to go the time.
The beginning prayer can be included in the evening prayer when you go to bed and then also be included when you say your prayer at dinner Sunday.
We are also taught that besides our tithing that we also donate the approximate cost of those 2 meals to the churches welfare program to help other people. And if you are donating or sacrificing something else that is also counted and you will not be looked down on for it.
We are also taught that if we have medical problems such as Diabetes that require us to eat that we can forgo the fasting as going without may harm us.
So if you are able to go from Saturday dinner to Sunday dinner then you are doing fine.
I have had discussions with the Bishop of our ward and have explained how I am unable to go that long without eating something because of medical conditions I have. He has told me that as long as I do other things I am fine.

Answer 3

I still am not great at it, but I have made a committment to try harder to pay fast offerings when fasting so I think that has helped. I usually only fast two meals on Sunday, I don't think I have ever fasted a full 24 hours other than "special" occasions like someone in the family needing a special blessing or something like that...
I know I need to do better, we all do, we have to just at least try.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I think like most challenging things in the church, you start off by making little goals and working up to the bigger things. I recommend reading an article on fasting at www.lds.org. Also, remember the decision to fast is to be a prayerful one. While most people probably should and could fast, the Lord does not always require it of people whose health will severely be compromised. The spirit should let you know when you have made a sacrifice accepted of the Lord.

Answer 5

I have a conversion story even though I have been a member my whole life. You see, I think everyone has to be converted in order to know that the church is true. I was 18 and off to college. I met a guy who was very anti Mormon. He belittled my beliefs and told me that their was no way that I could know that it was true for sure. I started wondering if I did know it was true and was afraid to find out. Was the things I had been taught all my life just a pack of lies? Could I have the courage to leave it if it was? I prayed about it, and God brought to my remembrance a time when I had felt the Holy Ghost bearing testimony to me that what was being said was true that it shook my whole body. It was when I received a special blessing. Every member of the church is entitled to get a special blessing known as a Patriarchal Blessing. This is given by a Patriarch who is set apart to give such blessings. Even though my blessing was very simple. In it God spoke to me in such a way that I knew that he was speaking just to me. I also knew what I had felt and that the Patriarch had the authority from God to give the blessing. This authority, the Priesthood had been handed down since the time of Joseph Smith. Because the Priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith, I knew that the church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth again. I remembered also many times when I had felt the Holy Ghost bearing witness to the truth of the different things I was hearing at the time, but I did not recognize that this was a witness to the truthfulness of the church since I had felt these things from the time I was 8 and was Baptized. Since that time I have never waivered in my testimony. I have found that when we draw close to our Father in Heaven in prayer, and through our actions that he can enlighten our minds with the Holy Ghost. Just wait until you are Baptized and have the Gift of the Holy Ghost given to you. It is really awesome. You will be able to discern more clearly what is true and not true and will feel God directing your life. Good luck! You'll never be sorry you joined. It has made me soooo happy and my family too.

Answer 6

I know I was raised in the church, but I do have some thoughts that might help you.

I actually started when I was about 12, and I weaned myself into it. My first fast, was for only like 3 hours...and then I started adding an hour on each time, until I fully made it.

It's something to try.

good luck.

Answer 7

I thought it was just food...and I never made it through a full day...I do think that the deacons blessing the sacrament on fast Sundays knew, though, because the bits of bread were bigger than usual...So glad I'm no longer LDS...

Answer 8

Peronally I don't like the morman faith and think it's a cover for other things going on in the sects.