Mormons set aside one day each month to abstain from food and water for two meals and then donate what they would have spent on food and water to the poor. As a Mormon I’ve always heard fasting should be both food and water. However, I came across an interesting quote today.
President Heber J Grant stated in an official declaration:
When fasting, members of the Church are advised to abstain from two meals each Fast Day . . . also by prayer in connection with fasting to develop spiritual power. No direct instruction is given in the Doctrine and Covenants regarding abstaining from water while fasting. In the Bible there are three references in connection with fasting and abstaining from water. These are: Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 9:9-18, where it states that Moses “did neither eat bread nor drink water”; and Esther 4:16, where Esther asked the Jews to fast for her and to “neither eat nor drink.”
The spirit of fasting is the main thing to encourage. Too much stress should not be laid on technical details, but the self denial of food, striving for spiritual strength and donating for the benefit of the poor should constantly be in mind. (Published statement from the First Presidency of the Church, March 26, 1932) MOFP5:307-08
I also came across a few interesting medical articles that stated fasting from food and not excluding liquid leads to greater health. You can view these interesting articles here and here.
For people of other faiths this may sound trivial, but as long as I’ve been LDS I’ve always heard fasting should be both food and water and it isn’t complete without both.
Personally I feel the same way that President Grant does. It’s really between us and God and if we feel good about our fast we shouldn’t worry. I feel that our fast shouldn’t be merely for medical purposes but for coming closer to God.
I’d love to hear your thoughts though.
Do you feel that a fast can be complete without abstaining from water? What do you do to make your fast complete? What are your thoughts on the scientific studies?
Thank you for your post. Now I have “a Prophet says” justification for my choices. When I fast, I do so with prayer and with water. I have a condition that requires me to drink a lot of water.
I used to abstain from water as well as food and never in my life did I have a good experience from fasting. Not even once. Always dreaded it, feeling totally lethargic the whole time. Then one day I decided to only abstain from food but drink whenever thirsty and it was a wonderful spiritual experience. Now I look forward to fast Sunday, and even look for other occasions to fast as well.
My thoughts on the science, as a scientist, is that the studies are far more preliminary than the news reports would have you think.
I get sick very, very quickly if I don’t drink (literally) at least a gallon of water per day. Even a single day of abstaining from water will leave me with a sore throat and constipated. So after a brief experimentation with “dry” fasting, I’ve decided to drink water on Fast Sundays and never look back.
Brian and Benson,
Thanks for sharing this with us. You’re excellent examples of being true to yourselves as well as working on your relationship with God. That’s what it’s all about.
The way I look at it, when I fast it is like an offering to God. I offer my best sacrifice and for many of us our best doesn’t have to include water. What are your thoughts on not even including food but something else instead like not watching T.V. or something like that? I’m sure there are some people who can’t go without food or water but they can still develop spirituality through sacrificing something in a “fast”.
I was taught that fasting meant abstaining from both food and water. I have always, my whole life, struggled with fasting. I can get terrible headaches. The magic elixir, I discovered recently, is to have a occasional drink of water. After years of not fasting, I am finding now, that with water, I can make it through a fast. It is very difficult for me to make it a complete 24 hours. I usually only make it 20 hours. But I am fasting more often now. The only problem is that I feel guilty for taking a drink or two. Oh well.
I grew up all over the United States and attended many wards. The first time I heard that fasting included abstaining from water was when I read it in the missionary discussions.
I think the important thing is not to be legalistic. Also, it’s important not to judge one’s spirituality based on whether they can do a dry fast as well. As I am not a Mormon, have any of you considered that one could fast from other things besides food? I know that the Bible only gives fasting from food as examples, but there are those who fast things like television, music, or anything that can come between an idol for them. When I was a Mormon, and fasted on fast Sundays, I always saw it as me telling my body that it wasn’t in control, that the Spirit was in control. So, I saw it in symbolic terms, as well. When I fast, I still fast from food and water most of the time and for 24 hours, but some people fast only one meal. I think fasting is between the person and God, and that they do it not to receive something in return, but to strengthen their relationship with God. I think it would do us well to remember the fasting described in Isaiah 58. As with all things, it’s a matter of the heart, and our motives for fasting should be pure–not because we have to, but because we want to.
Peace and Grace!
I just found your blog today, and I love it. I sense as I read that you have been through a spiritual journey similar to mine and have come to appreciate other Christian denominations in the process. I love that!
While I am a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and believe it to be God’s restored Church, I love learning about other denominations and greatly respect their faith and examples.
I also appreciate the fact that you allow yourself to think “outside the bubble” while maintaining a dedication to revealed doctrine–an attitude that many view as apostasy. It takes guts, and it takes heart.
Thank you!
And I should add that I don’t necessarily agree with everything you have written. But guess what–that’s okay!
Medically speaking, a medical fast does not mean abstaining from water. It was several weeks after I joined the church before I learned that the Mormon definition included abstaining from water.
The wife of our mission president where I served in Mexico strongly recommended that missionaries drink water while fasting.
I think whether we can drink water while fasting is like the question whether practicing LDS should avoid R-rated movies or pay tithing on the net or on the gross. The subject can be debated, but I think it is the spirit that counts (as President Grant says).
One can point to official sources that suggest avoiding water while fasting. The official website of the Church states that: “Proper observance of fast Sunday includes going without food and drink for two consecutive meals, attending fast and testimony meeting, and giving a fast offering to help care for those in need.” (Gospel Topics: Fasting and Fast Offerings)
What does it mean to avoid food and drink? I do not consider it a violation of the fast when I take medication (and water to wash it down) while fasting or take the sacrament during the period of the fast. I suppose I could defend this by arguing that they are not “food or drink.” But I think a better defense goes to the spirit of the fast.
I think the official guidance–abstaining from food and drink for two consecutive meals–should be read in light of President Grant’s comments on the spirit of the fast. I think the wife of my mission president was right, and that it is within our revelatory right to determine whether we should not drink water during the period of the fast.
Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your honest feedback. I’m sure there are many people who don’t agree with everything I have to say, but one thing I think most people who visit this blog all agree with and have in common is a witness of Jesus as our Savior as given to us from the Holy Ghost. In my opinion, that is what really matters.
As we all share experiences and learn and grow together I’ve found that I come closer to God and others do as well. It’s pretty cool.
Feel free to stop by and share your experiences anytime. All are welcome as long as they’re respectful.
Bookslinger and Bill,
I find that amazing that you didn’t hear it had to be both food and water.
Personally, I agree with Jack in the sense we can be too legalistic…I also agree we don’t necessarily have to abstain from food or water but we can choose to abstain from other things. The important thing is that we’re trying to humble ourselves and come closer to God, in my opinion.
David,
I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Welcome!
I agree with your comments. I got a good chuckle over your comment about R movies and tithing.
What you say about it being more about the spirit of the fast is right on, in my opinion.
re jack:
Fasting for Mormons is typically about food and water but you will find statements from past church leaders a century ago or more to the effect of also abstaining from sexual relations during the fast.
john f:
Thanks for your input. I did not know that. I know people who fast from sex; unfortunately, they were usually single people who shouldn’t be having sex, anyway.
Go figure…
Peace and Grace!
Ha! Jack you’re a funny one. Thanks for the humor.
Abstaining from water can lead to illness, getting sick, etc. I definately would not give up water in a fast. Especially for youth or the elderly. I also believe that fasting can include other things other than food – perhaps the computer, sugar, etc. It doesn’t have to be just food.
Just my .02,
gloria
[...] Water Not Included in Fasting [...]
Thanks for the post. I recall once fasting for a special experience in the temple when I would do some work for a cousin. I was in the middle of a move that day so my fast was not at all from food or drink but a fastening of my thoughts Godward on the object of my desire.
That was perhaps my first good fast since my mission and perhaps my second good fast ever. I would scarcely have remembered what I was denying myself food an water for had I had the opportunity to deny myself these things. I’m glad I couldn’t “fast” so I really could. Because I hadn’t yet learned that spiritual fasting is a mental thing rather than an abstinence thing.
I’ve since been so into my spiritual need of mental focus that food was a distraction. Sometimes I’ve been wise enough to abstain so my spiritual fasting could proceed without distraction. Those are the times that I am truly fasting. I should do it more often.
And now I think I’ll drink more water on fast Sundays and get over the guilt. I’ll be a better person for your blog. Again, thank you. Very much.
a guy Nathan’s comment intrigues me. I am trying to put this all together in my head because I havent successfully fasted for decades. When I try, I make 8-12 hours -16 tops. “…spiritual fasting is a mental thing rather than an abstinence thing.” I also like his comment about food being a “distraction.” I recently discovered the addictions I have had over the years (really breaking the Word of Wisdom) now include certain foods. I’m scared to try fasting at all, but I also know that I am much more in control of my physical body since abstaining from certain substances that have been like poison to my own personal system, in foods. Back twenty years ago, I heard an old woman say she understood the law of the fast, but she could not abstain from food for medical reasons so she said, “I eat something I dont like.” I dont even know how to put that together in my understanding of fasting, but I put it out there for you. What I’m trying to piece together in my head is how I have gotten my body under control since abstaining from certain substances all the time, now. Even my mental functioning is better. I am hoping this is all part of what there is to learn about how we put our bodies in the way of our spirits. I think as I get healthier over the next few weeks, I will try to “go to bed hungry” -begin my fast after my Noon meal on Sat, then get up, go to church and –since my mornings are my easiest time to be without food on any given day, see if I can be at the height of my fast before Noon again on Sun. I dont mean to make this such a technical analysis, but I am amazed what I have learned about certain food substances I have been putting in my body, and now I have more control abstaining from them every single hour! I’m sure I can learn something about compassion in this manner. The Lord doesnt need our fasting, we get “closer” to Him thru understanding His children, having charity, compassion, and serving their needs.
Other than the Biblical references mentioned, it seems that the water-free fast idea may have stemmed from a desire to make the fast “harder” or more of a sacrifice or self-punishment. This fits in with the LDS tradition a lot of us were raised in.
But in my experience, since I learned about longer fasting and various fasting practices, fasting is not self- punishment, but more self-pampering. When I have fasted for longer periods with water and enemas and preparation I have felt truly blessed in all ways.
I look forward to the day when the LDS tradition will vocally encourage water during fasts and skilled, careful multi-week fasts. And in the LDS way, maybe that will even include Stake Fasting Specialists.
Tom
It never fails to amase me how people can look at , say a tree, and see the dead branches and fail to see the living parts.
where in the world do you get the silly notion that president Grant was giving the “all clear” to DRINK during a fast???
what absurd BUNK! The EXAMPLES president Grant gave,… ALL included references to ADDITIONALLY abstaining from “drink” as well as meals (food). You “people” could twist a diamond into dust! he was giving examples af WHY we include NOT DRINKING during a fast! and YOU KNOW it!
so , if it ONLY says “meals” GOD allows “slim fast”???? it’s not “really a meal is it???????? just a “drink”? Get Real!!!
He simply admitted that the “D&C” did not contain a specific reference to abstaining from drink, BUT since GOD is the same, yesterday, today and forever….president Grant gave THREE examples of GOD’S word on the subject…no food, NO drink…. did Joeseph or the LORD feel they need to command in ALL things? not hardly!
see Doctrine and Covenants 58:26
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
if you NEED more examples I guess president Grant should have quoted Matt. 5: 6. or 3 Ne. 12: 6………. BOTH say “hunger and thirst after righteousness” …how can you “thirst” if you are DRINKING??
so, how many of YOU are better than MOSES? Jesus was baptized, do ANY of us have an excuse? Moses fasted, both food and drink, so what have YOU done GREATER than MOSES that you are allowed to drink and HE not?
the wicked in heart will find a way to disobey. enjoy…… no reward.
why dont you want the truth told?
so only people that agree with the silly interpretation are allowed?
Whew Mark,
Looks like you have some anger in your comments if I’m interpreting your capital letters correctly. Before we start throwing stones at each other take a little time to cool off and get the Holy Spirit into your heart. If the spirit then prompts you to write something out of love and concern go ahead and do it.
If you did indeed feel the spirit and you feel prompted to share what you shared, perhaps chose a way that’s less condenscending.
Now, what you said does hold merrit though. We really need to make sure when we fast we’re doing it in the right spirit and not just because we want to drink water. The norm is no food or water, but if needed we can change it up due to health issues, etc. that people have shared.
yes i do. it does upset me to see the words of a prophet twisted… i should try a softer approach
i guess i was like jesus clearing the temple
Hi Mark,
I can see how you would feel that way. However, many people suffer guilt when they don’t have to. The spirit of the fast is what’s most important, as the prophet stated. If you have the correct spirit about you, you’ll do all you can to have the best fast possible. It’s very personal…like prayer between God and the individual. It’s not up to us to judge another person’s fast.
Also, you were like Jesus clearing the temple…except you’re not Jesus!
i am not in deed and thought, but i at least need to try to be like him and not twist a prophets words to make me feel better about my choices.
its between a bishop and the person
Mark,
I’ll quote the prophet once more and not add any of my commentary. You decide how you want to interpret the prophets council on whether to drink water or not. Again, here is the quote:
“No direct instruction is given in the Doctrine and Covenants regarding abstaining from water while fasting…”
“The spirit of fasting is the main thing to encourage. Too much stress should not be laid on technical details, but the self denial of food, striving for spiritual strength and donating for the benefit of the poor should constantly be in mind.”
Also, I disagree with you. It’s between an individual and God. Not the bishop.
For a “restored” church that came into existence for the purpose of clarifying and renewing the Christian Faith there is a lot of confusion, disagreement, anger and turmoil…not much different than any other organization…church or otherwise. And this is not even over what I surmise to be a critical issue. One person talks about a “revelatory right”; another talks about a Bishop’s authority to tell you what to think; another talks about a Prophet saying one thing and another says the same Prophet’s teaching says something completely different. If it is true that “God is the same yesterday, today and forever…” then He sure has been changing His mind a lot. In fact, He changes His mind depending on whose mind is thinking and interpreting at that moment. I am not a Mormon (as you can probably tell). I came across this site in search of the “official” doctrine on Mormon fasting. My sister is a Mormon and needed to take medication and brought up the issue of fasting as pretext for not taking the it. She ended up relenting and taking the medication with a small sip of water. I just wanted to check that she was not violating some rule that would put her (in her mind) at odds with her beliefs. I frankly resent the emotional damage the Mormon Church keeps on inflicting on my sister…the guilt, the sense of dependency, the baseless dogma which is merely the result of a history of hodge-podge, slap-together-as-you-go doctrines that change as convenience dictates.
Hi Pat,
Welcome to the site and thank you for sharing your feelings.
I’m sure that if God were here today he would run things differently than the organization that is…as you rightly point out…run by men. The beauty of having a personal relationship with God is that you can have that independent of other people. The way I look at it is prophets and the scriptures are there for our benefit. God wants us to be happy. Guidlines are given, but it is up to us to decide in certain things what is best for us. Things such as fasting, giving to the poor, loving our neighbors, etc. are up to us to decide what and how to do it and it is a personal thing between us and God.
It sounds like your sister would do well to develop a closer relationship with God and less dependence on the bishop or church leaders…at least from your description of the issue. I have seen many Mormons who unfortunately rely on the leaders more than on God. If your sister prays and feels she can drink water or other things while she fasts and feels the good Lord approves, then she should feel good about it. The important thing is the spirit behind the fast…not the way you fast.
My question about fasting has to do with “two consecutive meals”. I assume this is based on the societal assumption of eating 3 meals per day. I however, eat five or six meals per day – a meal about every three hours given my excerise regime. Anyway, does this mean for me that I can start eating in the afternoon after fasting through the morning since I do skip two consecutive meals? Probably not, but just wondering what your thoughts were.
My thoughts are to do what you feel is right with the Lord. The spirit of the fast is to sacrifice something and give to someone who is in need and also develop a more spiritual relationship with the Lord. If it is a sacrifice for you to skip one meal and that’s all you can do, then praise God! If it is more, then it’s all good. My feeling is that the Lord isn’t keeping a tally of how many meals we skip. He’s concerned about our hearts and why we are fasting and how we are using it to grow closer to him while helping others.