Fast Sunday

The first Sunday of the month is what we call Fast Sunday.  I wish it meant that three hours of church went "fast."  Unfortunately, it seems to go slower.  Mormons follow the Biblical fast, abstaining from food or drink for twenty-four hours.  In the Bible it clearly mentions the fast:

16 ¶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew  6:16.

As one modern interpretation might be, that when one is fasting, one wears his/hers best clothes, puts on a happy face (I try to wear lipstick even!) and tries to have energy despite not eating.  Therefore, no one can tell if you are fasting.

Purpose of the fast

The Lord always accomplishes the most good with any commandment.  It helps us temporally and spiritually.  When Mormons fast for two meals, they give the money they would've used for the meals to help with the poor or needy.  We are encouraged to be generous with these "fast offerings."  The hunger we feel reminds us that there are people who are often hungry and it makes us generous and grateful for that which we have and often take for granted.

The second way fast helps us is spiritually.  By putting our bodies in subjection to our wills, we allow the spirit to gain control.  Then the Lord's Spirit can speak to us more readily.  Fasting, coupled with prayer, is a sacrifice that allows us to show the Lord we are giving more than giving lip service for the blessings we ask for. 

Fast Sunday is also "open mike" at the pulpit.  Instead of the usual speakers, members of the congregation, when prompted by the Spirit, are able to stand and share their "testimonies" or their feelings about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have been so uplifted by people sharing their experiences, their faith with me.  I am strengthened when I hear people bear witness that they know that Heavenly Father loves them, that he hears and answers their prayers.  It reaffirms my faith.  One of the things that one sister shared last month has really stuck with me.  She said the greater the sacrifice the greater the blessings.  I feel that is true.  I cling to that faith as I go through trials, as I give up what I want for what the Lord wants.  It's not an easy thing so I count on those blessings.  They may not be immediate, but they will come.

Whose Uniform Do You Don?

I'll have to say my biggest temptation as a youth was under this topic: Modesty.  I really struggled with the concept of appropriate clothes.  Because I'm so short, I always felt like wearing long shorts made me look even shorter.  A better line for me proportionally would be somewhere mid-thigh.  I used to tell myself I didn't wear sleeveless shirts because I thought my arms were fat.  (If only my 15 year old self could see my arms now, ha!)  But I said that to myself because really, I thought sleeveless shirts weren't horribly immodest, sleeveless mind you, not spaghetti straps.  Spaghetti straps still speak redneck to me.  I wrestled with what modesty meant, why I had to be modest.  I remember sitting in an interview with our Bishop (leader of our local congregation) and he asked me why it was important to be modest.  I honestly said I had no idea.  I thought he was going to give me a lecture, but he did not.  I am so grateful he didn't because his question stuck with me.  I pondered it, searched, prayed about it.  And this is what I came up with.  Mormons are asked to be modest--ie keep their bodies respectfully covered because of our doctrine helps us understand the importance of our bodies.  Our bodies are sacred, they help in creating life, it is what makes us like God.  Our bodies aren't supposed to be used to get attention.  If you look at the definition of modest from dictionary.com, it says showing its importance, free from ostentation.

I believe the clothes you wear tell you what team you play for, a uniform if you will.  Your feelings about yourself are being broadcast in your choice of dress.  People can identify you by what uniform you wear.  Whose uniform do you don? 


Confession:  When I was cast as Meg in Little Women in high school, I was given a costume that was a little off the shoulder.  I thought I looked cute in it.  Since it was a costume, I had to wear it right?  Well, when I pranced on stage, my mother took one look at me and then took out her sewing machine and stitched in some neck fabric, more appropriate for a Meg costume. Sigh.  But I'm grateful to her for helping me to be modest.

Purpose of this Blog

Hello!  I decided to write a blog about living my religion.  I am a Mormon.  I love being a Mormon.  It's not always been easy, but I've found that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessings.  This blog is going to be where I talk about what it's like being a Mormon, some jargon, some stories of what it was like growing up, going to school, dating a as teenager, college life, what it's like now.  Probably everything you wanted to know about Mormonism and more.  Shall we get started?  Okaaaaay!

First topic:  What is a Mormon?  A Mormon is a nickname given to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It's kind of a long title, but it's the official name of the church.  What does it mean?  I like to call it the Church of Jesus Christ for Modern Christians.  You see, in the early New Testament times, members of the church were called saints.  Saints in our lexicon isn't some person above or more holy than the rest of us rabble, it is who we are striving to become; followers of Christ, but in the 2000's not 100's, so we're Modern.

Next I'd like to clear up some common misconceptions about Mormons or Latter Day Saints (Modern Christians).  Mormons can dance, wear make up, wear pants, cut their hair, read Harry Potter.  However, we feel Heavenly Father (our more intimate and personal name for God) has asked us to abstain from tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol and premarital sex.  I will try delve into this topic later, along with views on chastity and modesty.   Neither do we practice polygamy.

Last, if you have sincere questions about Mormons or what we believe, I can refer you to Mormon.org for further answers.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading.