One of the important things the Lord has told us to do is to be liberal in our payment of fast offerings. I would like you to know that there are great rewards for so doing—both spiritual and temporal rewards. The Lord has said that the efficacy of our prayers depends upon our liberality to the poor. (See Alma 34:28.)
As to the nature and purpose of fasting and the purpose of the fast offering, President Heber J. Grant said:
“Let
me promise you here today that if the Latter-day Saints will honestly
and conscientiously from this day forth, as a people, keep the monthly
fast; … and if in addition to that they will pay their honest tithing, it will solve all of the problems in connection with taking care of the Latter-day Saints. …
“Every
living soul among the Latter-day Saints that fasts two meals once a
month will be benefited spiritually and be built up in the faith of the
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ—benefited
spiritually in a wonderful way—and sufficient means will be in the
hands of the bishops to take care of all the poor.” (Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1941, p. 123.)
Everything
we do to help the poor must be measured by its accomplishment in
spiritual terms. Givers must give out of a righteous heart and with a
willing spirit. Receivers must receive with thankfulness and gladness of
heart. The Spirit must confirm a bishop’s evaluation regarding
assistance. As we participate with righteous intent in this great work,
our souls will be sanctified and our minds enlarged. As we spiritually
mature in fulfilling our responsibilities, whatever they may be, we
prepare ourselves to become “partakers of the divine nature.” (See 2 Pet. 1:4.)
May it be our happy lot to be filled with that measure of Spirit that
we may be sealed with the bond of charity, which, as Moroni said, “is
the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found
possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
“Wherefore,
my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart,
that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all
who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the
sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we
shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be
purified even as he is pure.” (Moro. 7:47–48.)
We
should all give some attention to the matter of fasting. We haven’t
really called on the Lord so that we can reach him intimately if we
don’t fast occasionally, and pray often. Many of our personal problems
can be solved by so doing. Do you remember what the Savior said to his
disciples who couldn’t cast out the evil spirit, after they had asked
why they couldn’t do it when Jesus had done it so easily? He replied,
“This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:21.)
Let
us each increase our fast offerings and assist in inspiring the Saints
throughout the Church to do likewise. “Let not the rich man, who has
only crumbs for Lazarus, think that he is fit for celestial glory.”
(Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, The Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, rev.
ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1971, p. 480.) To qualify for
that glory one must liberally impart of his substance to the poor and
the needy.
Be
liberal in your giving, that you yourselves may grow. Don’t give just
for the benefit of the poor, but give for your own welfare. Give enough
so that you can give yourself into the kingdom of God through
consecrating of your means and your time. Pay an honest tithing and a
generous fast offering if you want the blessings of heaven. I promise
every one of you who will do it that you will increase your own
prosperity, both spiritually and temporally. The Lord will reward you
according to your deeds.
It
is my prayer that each and every one of us will learn and apply these
fundamental principles and gain thereby the promised reward.
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