Once a month, Latter-day Saints around the world skip two meals and give the money away. Here’s why, straight from the scriptures.
Latter-day Saints fast to draw near to God and to help the poor. One Sunday each month, members who are able go without food and drink for two meals, pray with a purpose, and give at least the cost of those meals as a fast offering for people in need (Gospel Principles, ch. 25). Jesus fasted (Matthew 4:2) and taught His disciples how (Matthew 6:16–18). Isaiah called the true fast one that will “deal thy bread to the hungry” (Isaiah 58:7). And the Lord renewed the command: “continue in prayer and fasting” (D&C 88:76).
The short answerTo draw near to God, and to care for the poor
Latter-day Saints fast because Jesus did, because the prophets did, and because the Lord commanded it again in our day: “I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth” (D&C 88:76).
The Church’s Gospel Principles manual explains the monthly practice: “One Sunday each month Latter-day Saints observe a fast day. On this day we neither eat nor drink for two consecutive meals.” Then members give “the money we would have spent on food for the two meals” as a fast offering to help those in need (Gospel Principles, ch. 25).
The BibleJesus fasted, and expected His disciples to
Before His ministry, Jesus “fasted forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2). He didn’t say “if ye fast” but “when ye fast,” and taught how: “be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance … But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
He also taught that some blessings come no other way: “this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). Esther fasted three days before risking her life (Esther 4:16), and the church at Antioch fasted before sending out Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2–3).
Isaiah 58The fast God has chosen
Isaiah tied fasting to caring for others: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens … Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?” (Isaiah 58:6–7). That is exactly what a fast offering does. The money saved by skipping meals goes, through the bishop, to feed and help people in need.
Isaiah lists the blessings: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily … Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:8–9). Enoch’s people became Zion because “there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18). Fast offerings are a small, monthly step toward that.
The Book of MormonRevelation, power and healing
Alma gained his testimony this way: “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true” (Alma 5:46). The sons of Mosiah “had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3).
When the younger Alma was struck down, the priests “began to fast, and to pray … after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength” (Mosiah 27:22–23). The ancient Church “did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls” (Moroni 6:5), much like a modern fast and testimony meeting.
How Latter-day Saints fastFast Sunday in practice
On the first Sunday of most months, members who are physically able go without food and drink for two meals, roughly 24 hours. They begin and end with prayer, usually with a purpose in mind: a sick friend, a hard decision, a child, a weakness to overcome. The manual says “all members who are physically able should fast,” and children are encouraged after baptism but never forced. In sacrament meeting that day, members are invited to stand and bear testimony of Christ.
The Lord describes the spirit of it: “that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full. Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer” (D&C 59:13–14). It’s meant to be joyful, not grim.
Check the premiseThe presuppositions baked into the question
Before this question can be answered fairly, the person asking has to justify a few assumptions packed inside it:
- That fasting is an Old Testament practice Christians don’t need. Jesus fasted and said “when ye fast,” not “if” (Matthew 4:2; 6:16).
- That fasting is about earning God’s favor. It’s about drawing near to Him and caring for others (Isaiah 58:6–9; Matthew 6:18).
- That Latter-day Saints fast to show off their devotion. Jesus said to fast in secret, and the Church teaches the same (Matthew 6:16–18).
- That the fast offering goes to Church salaries. It goes to help people in need, through local bishops (Gospel Principles, ch. 25).
FAQQuick answers
Why do Latter-day Saints fast?
To draw near to God, seek His help and revelation, gain self-control, and help the poor through fast offerings (Matthew 6:16–18; Isaiah 58:6–7; Alma 17:3).
What is Fast Sunday?
One Sunday each month, usually the first, when members skip two meals, pray, give a fast offering and share testimonies in sacrament meeting.
How long do Latter-day Saints fast?
For two consecutive meals, about 24 hours, without food or drink, if they are physically able.
What is a fast offering?
A donation of at least the cost of the skipped meals, used by the local bishop to help people in need. Members are encouraged to give generously.
Do children have to fast?
No. Children are encouraged to fast after they are baptized, but never forced. The Church asks members who are physically able to fast.
What does Isaiah 58 say about fasting?
God’s chosen fast is “to loose the bands of wickedness” and “to deal thy bread to the hungry” (Isaiah 58:6–7). That’s why fasting and fast offerings go together.
Did Jesus fast?
Yes. Before His ministry, “when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred” (Matthew 4:2).
What does the Book of Mormon say about fasting?
The sons of Mosiah gained power to teach because “they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting” (Alma 17:3).
SummaryKey takeaways
- Latter-day Saints fast for two meals one Sunday each month.
- The money saved goes to the poor as a fast offering (Isaiah 58:7).
- Fasting brings revelation and spiritual power (Alma 5:46; 17:3).
- Jesus fasted and taught us to fast in secret (Matthew 4:2; 6:16–18).
Try it this month: pick a purpose, pray, fast and give. For quick, sourced answers, open Galatians18, and follow me on X at @TraviXai.
Sources
- King James Bible (churchofjesuschrist.org): Esther 4:16 · Isaiah 58:6–9 · Matthew 4:2 · Matthew 6:16–18 · Matthew 17:21 · Acts 13:2–3
- Book of Mormon: Mosiah 27:22–23 · Alma 5:46 · Alma 17:3 · Moroni 6:5
- Doctrine and Covenants: D&C 59:13–14 · D&C 88:76
- Pearl of Great Price: Moses 7:18
- Gospel Principles (2009), ch. 25, “Fasting”
- Featured image and in-article graphic: original graphics by thebookofmormon.ai (painterly backgrounds; no photographs or likenesses of real people).
