[MUSIC PLAYING]
When I first joined the
Church, I didn't really have that great of
an understanding of what fasting was. And I don't think it
was until a little bit later on that someone that I
was close to needed something, and they said that they
were going to do a fast. And I think that was really
one of the first times that I fasted with
an actual purpose. It was just a really
special experience to see this change happen
because a group of people had gotten together to
pray for one person. Fasting is a
spiritual principle. The first Sunday of every
month is fast Sunday, and during that time, you
go without food or drink for two meals. When I've fasted
with a purpose, I feel like I've had even more
energy, and my mind is clearer. Maybe things that didn't make
sense before are making sense. And you know, it's not
necessarily that every time you fast for something, that
thing is going to happen. But there's always
been a sense of peace that comes along with that. I think that fasting
works in people's lives because it's just
another way for us to show Heavenly Father how
much we care about something by making a sacrifice. It is a sacrifice
for a lot of people, I think, to go without
those two meals. And it really turns your heart
to whatever the subject matter is that you're praying for,
that you're fasting for. The fast-offering program is
really amazing, in my mind. When Jesus Christ came to
earth and organized His Church, He gave us commandments. And some of those
were to help the needy and to clothe the poor
and to visit the sick. We have fast Sunday,
which is the first Sunday of every month, where we
take the money that we would have used on two meals and we
donate that as a fast offering. It's just such an
amazing feeling to know that I've been blessed
with so much in my life, and I am giving back,
even though it's such a small amount. But I'm giving back. I have a quote on my computer. It says, "Work will
cure your grief. Serve others." And I just absolutely
love that quote. Any time that I'm feeling
down, I always remember that and think, "I need
to get out of myself and go out and do something." When I am helping others
and serving others, I am serving Jesus Christ.