Fasting - June '05

As a missionary, I frequently am asked to describe doctrines and practices of our church that distinguish us from other Christian faiths. Sometimes, these discussions involve talk about religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. We celebrate these holidays in a manner similar to that of other faiths, but there is one part of our worship that is indeed different: fasting. In preparation for Easter, many Christians participate in a fast where they choose to give up one thing or another for forty days, similar to how Christ gave up food and drink for forty days while in the wilderness. I remember in school watching my friends do this fast. They gave up things like drinking Coke or tying their shoes. So for forty days, they would run around drinking Pepsi and wearing sandals. I respect their efforts to move closer to Christ but in Christ's modern day church, the fast is done a little differently.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we fast for many reasons although before I list those, I would like to discuss how fasting is done. Typically, a proper fast is a period of twenty four hours where a person abstains from the consumption of food and drink of any kind. In addition to this abstinence, members of the Church are encouraged to donate a fast offering which is a monetary donation used by the church to aid the poor and needy. With over 12 million members in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these fast offering donations can be quite effective. The Church encourages its members to fast at least once a month, on the first Sunday of each month. This corresponds to the schedule for Fast and Testimony meetings. Let it be understood though, that members are not limited to fasting only once a month. In fact, as we will see, we are encouraged to fast for a variety of reasons at any time.

You may notice, as I mention these things, that fasting is very similar to prayer in its purposes. This is because fasting is often used to strengthen the power of our prayers, and as we use the two of them together effectively, we will become much more effective in accomplishing the purposes that I will now mention.

The first is gratitude. We all know that prayer is one of the most common mediums by which we can thank God for all that He's given us. The Book of Mormon contains a story about the wars between two of the major civilizations on the American continent namely, the Nephites and Lamanites. In one battle, the Nephites (the good guys) are drastically out-numbered, but the Lord helps them and saves them from their enemies. In Alma 45:1, Alma tells us about how they responded when they received such help from the Lord. "Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy." These people saw the hand of the Lord in their victory, and gave him all the credit for it. In this way, fasting is an exercise of humility.

The next purpose for fasting is centered in our own personal desires. When we want something, or need something, usually we get on our knees and beg for it from the Lord in prayer. This is fabulous, but we can be more effective in that effort by simply beginning a fast and praying several times during that fast. How does that work? Its effects are two-fold. 1) By fasting, we enable ourselves to be closer to the Spirit. When that happens, we can understand the will of the Lord better and we will in turn pray for Him to do whta is best according to His marvelous plan. Everything will be accomplished according to His perfect wisdom, and in His own time. 2) Sacrifice brings blessings. As we give up food and drink for a period of time to show our desire for the Lord's help, it's almost like we are showing God that we are willing to give up whatever is necessary to just obtain that help. The Lord is pleased when He sees His children put such reliance and trust in Him. That is when He is most likely to grant the desire of our hearts. I hope that we will make an effort to be sure that those are righteous desires that are motivating our fast.

Perhaps the best reason to fast is the one I will now discuss: Truth. Everyone needs to know what is true and what's not. It is crucial that each of us know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, because if he was then we can be sure that we are following the one correct path which leads back to God. If he wasn't then w eneed to go find that path elsewhere. We need to have a testimony of the truth of many other things as well, such as the Plan of Salvation, the nature of God, and the power and purpose of the Atonement of Christ. Such truth is obtained by prayer and fasting. That's how Alma obtained his testimony. While preaching to the people throughout the land, he described. "(44) For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come. (45) And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? (46) Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, 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; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me" (Alma 5:44-46). He then goes on giving an extended testimony about the Atonement of Christ, making up one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon.

What am I trying to say with all this? If you have not yet obtained a testimony of the truth of the things that I mentioned, then I suggest you fast and pray. As with Alma, it may take many days because the Lord makes us work for things. We do not receive that witness until after the trial of our faith (Ether 12:6), but we do receive it inasmuch as we are willing to do what is necessary to obtain it. I too have fasted and prayed very much to come to know the things that I know. The Book of Mormon also teaches us that somebody who does have this knowledge of truth (that we each need to have) can fast and pray for those who haven't yet obtained this knowledge (Alma 6:6). This is an act of missionary work, and we are all responsible to take part in this effort. Let us do so.

Another purpose that can be accomplished through fasting is repentance and forgiveness of sin. God will sanctify us from sin as we humble ourselves and try to become stronger in our faith. This is a fundamental principle of the gospel. God forgives the person who acknowledges his weaknesses and mistakes before Him in a humble, apologetic manner. Helaman teaches this principle quite well in Helaman 3:35. "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sancitification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." Brothers and Sisters, repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel. If we want to truly repent with sincerity from our heart, we can fast to show the Lord how much we desire his forgiveness. Through fasting and prayer we can be forgiven and once again enjoyt the peace of mind and peace of conscience that comes when you know the Lord has forgiven you.

In connection with this thought, I should also mention that fasting helps us to overcome temptation. Even after we've fully repented of a sin, Satan will try to catch us in a moment where we don't expect it. But if we want God to give us strength, and help us to know and remember to do what is right, then we can fast and request it from Him. The First Presidency has said, "If you have a weakness or a sin that you have struggled to overcome, you may need to fast and pray in order to receive the help or forgiveness you desire. " I might also point out that fasting can give you the strength to overcome the temptation partly because it's an exercise of self-mastery. When you fast, you want food. You're hungry, but you try to focus your thoughts on spiritual things, and put your desire to eat away. Similarly, when we are tempted with inappropriate thoughts, or other spiritually dangerous situations, we can put those things aside and grasp onto appropriate, uplifting, spiritual things. We will train ourselves to choose the right in this way.

In conclusion, if you want to express gratitutude, live closer to the Spirit, call upon the Lord with more power, receive a testimony for yourself, or help another person to receive a testimony, be forgiven of your sins, and learn to avoid giving into temptation - I suggest you fast. Through my fasting and prayer, the Lord has granted me knowledge that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. He was God's instrument in restoring the one true Church to the earth so that we, God's children, can have the chance to fulfill the ordinances of the Gospel and eventually return to live with Him someday. I know that the Priesthood, which is the power God has given to man to act in His name, has been restored to the earth. I know that only by this authority can we take steps toward Heavenly Father's eternal kingdom. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet of God for us today, and I surely know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the whole earth. I have a testimony of prayer and fasting, and I know that it works. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Homecoming Talk - August 13th, '06

As my subject today, I have elected to speak about a topic that was very central to the theme that one branch president in my mission adopted for the branch in the center of Athens while I was serving there. It was a full program which we implemented in that branch for the purpose of strengthening the active members, reactivating the less-active members, and bringing still more people into the church at a more rapid pace. The branch president labeled this program, "Come Unto Christ," and in introducing it and its aspects to the members of the branch, he asked me to give a talk on "Pondering Your Mission In Life Daily," which itself is an essential step in coming unto Christ. Throughout my mission, I've given a lot of thought to this topic because it interests me a great deal, and helping people to start pondering their mission in life and helping them to take the steps necessary to return to Heavenly Father was central to my purpose as a missionary.

DISCOVERING OUR MISSION IN LIFE (OUR PURPOSE)
I discovered that in Greece, as is the case in most of the world I imagine, many people are rather confused as to what the purpose of life is. I listened to many philosophies from the Greeks about this, and the most common "purpose in life" according to them is simply that we become good people, nothing more. However, since many of those same people don't believe in the existence of an afterlife, I would reason with them by asking what the reason was for becoming a good person if there's not going to be some kind of consequence or reward for that in some life to come. People who believe in this way have no sure knowledge of an afterlife; no hope for the future, and so therefore they can't possible figure out how they are going to live in order to achieve those potential awards that we look forward to as Latter-day Saints. In that way, they are somehow lost. I have a quote about this of which the author is unknown: "Nothing is more conducive to arriving nowhere than be going nowhere. That's the spot where with no guideposts and little urge, one arrives with utmost certainty." However, if we determine where we want to end up, then we can begin to think about what we have to do to get there. I really tried hard on my mission to help the Greeks realize taht there is a place prepared for them in the Kingdom of Heavenly Father. I also tried hard to motivate them to do the things required for the realization of those blessings.

PONDERING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO FULFILL OUR MISSION IN LIFE
Each of us here has decided that we want to return to live with our living Heavenly Father. We know where we are going, and so in an effort to arrive there, we consider our time on earth as preparatory for the moment in which we will return to face God. We are here to follow the guideposts that have been granted to us through modern prophets and the scriptures. In the Book of Mormon, Alma mentions this when he says that "...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32). The labors that we have to perform include, among other things, the various ordinances of the gospel.

Another one of our labors here on earth is keeping the commandments that God has given us. This requires obedience. Sometimes, it may seem difficult to practice obedience. I had many investigators on my mission who asked me why they had to avoid having sexual relationships outside of marriage, and why they had to avoid drinking beer and coffee when essentially everybody in their country does the opposite. In those moments, the commandments seemed to my investigators more like restrictions rather than guideposts (which should lead us to our desired destination). That's why I had to explain to them that these commandments, in fact, are the signposts that lead to eternal life with God and I, actually, am not the one who came up with them. Nor did the leaders of the church invent these "rules." Rather, it was God himself who did so, so they ought to keep them if they really want to arrive at their desired destination - the Kingdom of God. President Thomas S. Monson spoke about this at a General Conference during my mission. He said, "Remember that oftimes the wisdom of God seems as foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson that we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks, and a man obeys, that man will always be right." I love this quote because it gives me extra strength with which I can more fully live up to my gospel commitments. It really helped my investigators to gain an understanding as well.

PONDERING OUR PERFORMANCE IN OUR MISSION IN LIFE
Okay, we've now talked about how to discover our mission in life (a step that each of us has already passed), and we've mentioned how there are things that we have to do in order to realize our goal. Now we can begin to ponder about how well we are doing in this journey. And this, Brothers and Sisters, is where "pondering our mission in life daily" comes into the picture. I was originally introduced to this idea by a sister missionary who gave a spiritual thought at the beginning of one of our weekly district meetings. She shared a scripture from Alma 5:27, which she said is a scripture that she reads every night before she sleeps for its thought-provoking influence. It reads: "Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?" By reading this scripture, Sister Karlsson essentially had a personal worthiness interview with herself to determine what things in her life needed amending. We should do the same. We should ask ourselves honestly: If Jesus Christ came to earth today right now, would I be ready, or would I feel a bit unprepared? The Second Coming is approaching, Brothers and Sisters, so we'd do well to take this seriously.

Some people however, like myself, if they do too much of this self-analyzation, can get pretty discouraged with the apparent weaknesses and downfalls that beset them from time to time. Nephi, for example, ripes himself apart in 2 Nephi 4 because he is discouraged with his own weaknesses. I passed through quite a few similar moments in my mission in Greece. It is in times like those, while pondering about how well we are doing with life, that we have to remember the Atonement. "...for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (Mosiah 4:27). However, we should read also the end of that scripture and remember that "...it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, that thereby [we] might win the prize..." We've got to give it our best effort. That's why we ponder this.

I remember a Russian woman I taught while in Cyprus whose name was Natasha. She was clearly dissatisfied with her own level of spirituality because she explained to me right as I finished teaching her about the Plan of Salvation, that she didn't believe that it was possible for her to make it into the Celestial Kingdom due to the mistakes she had made previously in life. This is actually one of my more fond memories from my mission because I understood from her words that she was humble and ready to hear about the gospel. So, I did my best to share with her the words the Spirit had for me to say, and I think I was effective in that moment in explaining how we are here on earth to learn and grow, and in order to do that, sometimes we are bound to make mistakes. But God knew that we'd make mistakes like that. That's why he sent us His son. It was a fabulous discussion with Natasha because I really saw an understanding of the Atonement distill on her mind as we discussed it.

APPLYING THE NECESSARY CHANGES SO AS TO FULFILL OUR MISSION IN LIFE
The only step left in fulfilling our misison in life, and achieving the goals that we've set for ourselves is that of application. Obviously, we have to apply the principles that we talk and think about. We have to pick out those flaws that we find in ourselves and fix them! We have to, as James phrased it, become "...doers of the word, and not hearers only..." (James 1:22). You can see how through contemplating and applying each of the principles I have mentioned here today on a regular, daily basis, surely it will help an individual to develop Christ-like attributes, and progress towards eternal life. That is why "Pondering Your Mission In Life Daily" is a central theme to the "Come Unto Christ" program. I feel that I have grown quite a bit in my mission as I have strived to do just this. I remember many mornings in my study time on my mission where I would sit and read the words of Moroni where he exhorts us to "deny [our]selves of all ungodliness..." (Moroni 10:32). I did this to motivate myself to work harder to fulfill my own journey towards eternal life. I would just try to do a little better each day. By doing this, I became more effective in helping others to progress as well. It is my prayer that each of us here will do our best to set aside all distractions which obstruct our progression. May each of us do a little better in the coming week to live up to our gospel commitments.

I really loved my time in Greece. In my exit testimony meeting with the missionaries on Mars Hill, I explained to them how I love Greece, Greeks, and the Greek language. It's been such a blessing for me to serve as a missionary because I've learned a lot about the love that God has for his children. The Greeks are a very choice people. God loves them very much. I love them very much. I know with all my heart that what I've been doing for the past two years is exactly what God wanted me to be doing. I've felt confirmation from His Spirit that he's accepted the work I've done on my mission, and I know that He is pleased.

Now then, I guess it's time for me to keep a tradition that exists among returned missionaries who have served in foreign countries, I will now close with my testimony in Greek... (Testimony in Greek)

Farewell Talk - June 11th, '04

In preparation for my mission, I've been fighting Satan and his tactics to bring me down. He realizes that I have a strong testimony and love for my Savior Jesus Christ, and he is afraid that I will be an effective instrument in the Lord's hands. However, I have not given in to him and I will not. There is a quote from a talk that I once heard at a session of Especially For Youth. It goes like this: "I want to live everyday of my life such that when I wake up by my alarm in the morning, Satan says, 'Oh no! He's awake!'" This is almost as if it came straight from my mouth. However, Satan has tried to turn this attitude into a way of bringing me down. He tries to take this quote and make me think to myself that I am the most powerful missionary alive, with a testimony so strong that even he can't shake it. If I start to believe things like this, then what is happening? I am being extremely prideful. I am starting to believe that he can't get me. I am starting to think that missionary work will be a cinch because I can easily defeat Satan. Realizing these small crafty works of Satan helps me to stay on the right path and refrain from being too prideful and falling into sin. This is what we all must do in order to avoid falling into the pride cycle, which we learn about in the Book of Mormon. There were times when both the Nephites and the Lamanites thought of themselves as so righteous that Sata could not get to them. They became obsessed with this idea, and therefore were distratcted from realizing that Satan had a grip on them. If you go into a situation that has "potential sin" written all over it, with an attitude that you can never be broken because you are so righteous, you are almost sure to give into temptation because you don't know that you need to stop something until after it is too late.

But there is a different sort of pride that we are commanded to display, and this is where missionary work comes in. In Mosiah 5:8-9, it says, "And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ." We are commanded to take upon the name of Chrsit. We should be proud to be members of His Church and we should be proud to tell people that it is our mission to bring people to know of our Savior's love. Since receiving my mission call, I've been asked many times, "So like on this mission thing... what do you do?!" I usually respond with some sort of passive sentence about how I will be preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and I will be giving a lot of service. Perhaps I should respond with what is written in Luke 4:18. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath setn me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." That is an incredible scripture. I especially like where it says, "recovering of the sight to the blind." This is because by serving a mission, I am not introducing new information to people for the first time. In fact, everything I say on my mission will be something that the people to whom I am speaking have heard before. They have simply forgotten it by going through the veil and gaining a body to live on this earth. And so by teaching people about the Church, I am helping them to see things they've lost sight of by going through the veil. That is why the scriptures command us to remember the commandments of God. That is why the sacrament prayers command us to remember the things that our Savior has done for us. Everyone has heard the gospel. It is my job to remind them of their testimony of that gospel, and then baptize them back into this Church so that they can be able to return to live with God in his glory.

I once heard a story about a young man who was awaiting the arrival of his mission call with great anticipation. When it had finally arrived, the young man had really gotten to know the mail carrier quite well. He invited all of his friends to his house to watch him open his call. When he opened it, he found that he was going to serve in Japan. Everyone was congratulating him and shaking his hand in pure delight for his divine calling. However, there was one person at the house that did no congratulate him. In fact, he didn't even shake the young man's hand. The missionary was concerned about this individual and went to him to see if everything was okay. He said, "Hey, aren't you excited? I've just been called to serve as a missionary! I'm going to represent the Lord for two years!" The man replied, "That's great! Who did you represent before the two years? And who are you going to represent after the two yeras?" Brothers and Sister, we are all attending church right now, but what about tomorrow, when we go back to work, or to go hang out with our non-member friends? Will we still be representatives of Jesus Christ? I should hope so considering the covenant we just made a few moments ago as each of us partook of the sacrament. Lisetn to the words of the prayer again. "Oh God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this break to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them." So, the sacrament prayer not onkly reminds us of the covenant we made at baptism to live righteously, but it also commands us to partake in missionary work. it tells us that we should have His Spirit to be with us always. Can the spirit abide with you while you're at work? Can it abide with me while I'm playing hockey, or while I'm stuck in traffic? I don't see why not.

As I go to serve a mission, I'll be dedicating every moment of my time to preaching the gospel and declaring the word. I would encourage all those who are staying behind though, to preach the word as well. You don;t have to do it at every moment of the day, but you are commanded to stand as a witenss of our Savior, as I have mentioned. There is a saying that says, "Aspire to inspire before you expire." This means that you should at least allow someone to hear your testimony before it is too late. It may be your testimony that the Lord needs to speak through in order to reach a certain individual. I know that the Lord needs me to bear testimony of Him in Greece, and I also know that He will need me to bear testimony of Him after I return from my mission as well. Everyone needs the gospel, and it is our job as Latter-day Saints to make sure that they get it. Did you catch that word? I'll say it again... "Saints." What is a saint? How about a person who brings happiness and knowledge about a supreme being who loves them so much that He died for them? Brothers and Sisters, let's live up to our name. Let's be saints, and help people to know God.

The first question that the Stake President asks you in a mission worthiness interview is, "Why on earth do you want to serve a mission?" Brothers and Sisters, I've put some serious thought into this. I am going on a mission because I love Jesus Christ and I can think of no better way of showing my love for Him than by dedicating every moment of my life, every thought in my mind, every action that I perform, and every word that I speak, to Him. I want to serve Him with my whole soul, because I know that while I am serving Him, I will feel His spirit stronger than ever before. It brings me great joy to think that the Lord trusts me enough with His words, that may speak in His place, and say the things that He would say if He, himself were teaching the people to whom He has sent me. There is a quote by Bruce R. McConkie that illustrates these thoughts perfectly. It is entitled "My Commission." It says, "I am called of God. My authority is above the kings of the earth. By revelation, I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him; to stand in His place; to say and do what He himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice and my acts are His acts; my words are His words and my doctrine is His doctrine, for I am his agent. My commission is to do what He wants done; to say what He wants said, to be a living, modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter day work. And he that receiveth me, receiveth Him; but he that rejecteth me, rejecteth Him who has sent me. How great is my calling!"

Brothers and Sisters, I love this gospel, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I have to preach the gospel full time. I am anxious to return to live with Him someday, but until that time, it is my prayer that I will be His instrument in bringing other people to know Him. When the time comes that I return to be judged, it is my prayer that the Lord will cite what is to be my missionary plaque scripture. Helaman 10:4 says, "Blessed art thou, Nephi - " Let me start over and subsitute my name for Nephi's. "Blessed art thou, Aric, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments." Brothers and Sisters, I love Jesus Christ, and I am proud to be a member of His true church. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God and it brings me great joy to know that I will be preaching this true gospel to the people of Greece for the next two years. Joseph Smith once said, "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing." This is very true because I have great conviction when it comes to preaching the gospel. I believe that missionary work is the most important aspect of this church and nothing can stop me from declaring the word. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and that He loves me. I love this gospel of love, and I leave these things with you in the sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.