Last Sunday in the Milton Ward - unbelievably SAD;( I shed a boat load of tears AND I was trying NOT to think about the fact that we were moving this week....what an incredible 8 1/2 years we have spent here and what absolutely amazing people we have shared that time with. As I looked around at all the familiar beloved faces all the memories would bubble to the surface and just make it soooooo hard to think about moving. And of course we were speaking in Sacrament meeting so for the entire meeting I got to look out and actually see all the families that we love and will miss with all our hearts.
Here is the basic outline for the talk that I might have kinda given in some unitelligable way...I think I was excused for blubbing my way through most of it:) I actually loved what I learned about the blessings of fasting...esp the last scriptures I shared.
In Isaiah we read –
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
I am not sure I’d like to remember how many times I have felt “afflicted” as I have fasted – that this was a hard thing to do – I guess in some way it is comforting to know that even since the days of Isaiah people have struggled with fasting - but can I really call it a fast or an acceptable day to the Lord when I have that attitude?
Isaiah goes on –
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the abands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go bfree, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the ahungry, and that thou bring the bpoor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from cthine own flesh?
This is the purpose of fasting – to undo heavy burdens, feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.“The fundamental principle of all Church relief work is that it must be carried on by fast offerings and other voluntary donations and contributions. This is the order established by the Lord. Tithing is not primarily designed for that purpose”
By paying a fast offering we are able to follow the council of King Benjamin in that we are to "impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath" (Mosiah 2:26)
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said that if these principles were observed throughout the world, “the hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. Our burden of taxes would be lightened. The giver would not suffer but would be blessed by [this] small abstinence. A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere. Can anyone doubt the divine wisdom that created this program which has blessed the people of this church as well as many who are not members of this church?”
The Saints of Alma’s day offered an example for all ages: “In their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need” (Alma 1:30).
The Church began relief efforts shortly after the disaster in Haiti
Hundreds of families continue to seek shelter at the nine Latter-day Saint meetinghouses around Port-au-Prince four weeks after the temblor. The meetinghouses have become known as places of calm and security to those staying there.
The Church has provided nearly 1,500 tents to those left homeless, and many now dot the property around the chapels. “A neighbor told me about this place and invited me to come,” said 16-year-old Cazy Lenlingy. “I am very happy to be here. Everyone has been kind and has received me well, thanks to God.”
Over 7,000 people originally took refuge at the meetinghouses, with those not of the Mormon faith making up more than two-thirds of the homeless.
A mother, Noiselia Saintdor, said she and her five children were panicked after the earthquake destroyed their home. They were running down the street with nowhere to turn for safety.
"We are not members of this church but I prayed to God to know where to go," said Noiselia. She saw others going to the meetinghouse and followed.
"When I arrived I was really happy because of the security that I feel here," recalled Noiselia. “I am grateful for the people that have received us here and for everyone who is doing this great work.”
The Savior urged those who followed him to be mindful of the poor and to have compassion on those who suffer. Thus, he immortalized a Samaritan
“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead”
the man was a Jew, despised by many of the Samaritans. Both a priest and a Levite had previously passed by, ignoring him. Stopping to help was inconvenient, time consuming, and costly.
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him”
“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed he took out two pence and gave them to the host and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee.”
“Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise”(Luke 10:30-37).
One of the ways we can follow the Samaritan’s example and follow the Savior’s counsel to “do likewise” is to open our hearts and have compassion on those who suffer and are in need.
As we give generous fast offerings, we literally feed the hungry, bind up the wounds of the sick, and clothe the naked. By so doing, we not only bless the lives of others, but we open the windows of heaven and qualify ourselves to receive additional choice blessings from the Lord.
And what are those blessings – as I was reading this week I was taken aback by the breathtaking blessings that are promised as we obey the law of the fast and pay fast offering….
Isaiah testified – and here is specific first to fasting
8 ¶ Then shall thy alight break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.
And now to fast offering –
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
