Fasting … Ugh! Not much fun.
For some individuals, this may be the response to the first Sunday of the month, when we are asked to abstain from food and water for 24 hours (unless there are extenuating circumstances). Then we donate the money that we would have spent on the two missed meals in that 24-hour period — and to be generous in our giving — as a fast offering to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be used by local leaders to assist those in need. It is a sublime practice, both efficient and effective in its ability to achieve its charitable end.
The law of the fast is beautifully described in Isaiah 58 and indicates that this law is comprehensive, persistent, even a way of life and a marker of devotion to the Savior — and that it is anything but a once-a-month practice that lasts, perhaps, a mere 24 hours.
Isaiah 58 was delivered to a reprobate people who claimed to be righteous yet, in reality, were pretentious and hypocritical. They pretended to sacrifice and care for the poor, yet in truth they disdained them or oppressed them. The Lord indicted Israel for moaning and groaning on fast day, for making a public show of giving, for bowing down their heads and covering themselves with sackcloth and ashes (see Isaiah 58:5). The Lord was not deceived by the ruse.
He condemned their true behavior: “Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. … Ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness” (see Isaiah 58: 3-4). In essence, the Savior rebuked them, telling them that they did not honor the fast day and keep it holy, but rather sought ungodly pleasure on that day; they inflicted hardship and suffering on others, forcing them to work for them and denying them the opportunity to participate in the joy of the fast day; they were argumentative, contentious; and they fought with one another.
Then the Lord clarifies what constitutes a true fast: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (see Isaiah 58:6).
What constitutes a true fast, according to God, is “to loose the bands of wickedness,” perhaps indicating we speak truth, truth being bound up in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ that others might be freed from sin.
We “undo the heavy burdens,” “let the oppressed go free,” and “break every yoke” that is upon them. In this case, being yoked refers to an ancient contrivance placed on the neck of a captive or conquered enemy. It suggests that rather than increasing the burdens on the poor and needy, we help to free them from unwarranted oppression, that we extend to others a helping hand that they might stand free and independent.
The Lord tells us how this is to be accomplished: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7).
It is a sacred duty to find ways to practically, materially and emotionally assist those in need. This is the law of the fast. It is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to practice charity, to extend to others the pure love of Christ. It is a state of mind, a way of being. It is discipleship, striving to daily, hourly and continuously follow the example set by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Kristine Frederickson writes on issue-oriented topics that affect members of the LDS Church worldwide in her column “LDS World." She teaches part time at BYU. Her views do not necessarily represent those of BYU.