Understanding the Significance of Fasting in Isaiah 58

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Delve into the profound teachings of Isaiah 58 regarding fasting, reflecting on the blessings it brings, the purpose it serves in aiding the needy, and how it fosters humility and spirituality. Explore the importance of observing fast days diligently and the impact of fasting with a righteous purpose. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on fasting practices and testimonies of its spiritual power.

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ISAIAH 58 Two Laws

Its Sunday morning. You prepare breakfast and are about to start eating when you realize it is fast Sunday. What are the first thoughts that enter your mind? Read Isaiah 58:3 in your most sad and complaining voice.

FASTING Read Isaiah 58:5 with a wrinkled brow, looking for what the Lord questioned about the people s fasting. A bulrush is a tall, thin grass that droops Sackcloth is coarse material that symbolized sorrow. Let s review Isaiah 58:6-7 In Isaiah 58:8 12. List the blessings the Lord promise for fasting as He intends.

FASTING I fear that too many of us are either not fasting on fast day or we are doing so in a lackadaisical manner. If we are guilty of taking our fast day for granted or simply fasting Sunday morning instead of making it two complete meals 24 hours we are depriving ourselves and our families of the choice spiritual experiences and blessings that can come from a true fast ( The Blessings of a Proper Fast, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 47). Elder Carl B. Pratt ( The Blessings of a Proper Fast, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 47).

Reasons for Fasting Alma 5:45-46 Alma 6:6 Alma 8:26 Isaiah 58:6,9 Helaman 3:35 Matthew 17:14-21 D&C 59:14 D&C 88:76 Hymn 139

The law of the fast has three great purposes. First, it provides assistance to the needy though the contribution of fast offerings, consisting of the value of meals from which we abstain. Second, a fast is beneficial to us physically. Third, it is to increase humility and spirituality on the part of each individual. L. Tom Perry, April 1986 Gen. Conf.

FASTING 101 DISCUSSION 1. About how long should a fast normally last? 2. Is it ok to drink water while fasting? 3. How often should a person fast? 4. How much fast offering should a person pay? 5. Should you fast if you are sick? 6. At what age should children start fasting? 7. What should you do if fasting makes you irritable? 8. What is the difference between fasting and just being hungry? 9. What do YOU do to make the most of Fast Sunday? 10. Do you have a testimony of Fasting? Why or why not? 11. What difference can it make if we fast with a specific righteous purpose? 12. What are some examples of bands of wickedness, heavy burdens, oppression, or yokes that can be relieved when we fast? 13. When have you seen the Lord relieve your own or others burdens through fasting?

SACRED COMMANDMENTS Our observance or nonobservance of _________________________ is an unerring measure of our attitude toward the Lord personally and toward his suffering in Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead (Elder Mark E. Petersen). the Sabbath day Let s review Isaiah 58:13-14

Time Remember Observance Old Testament New Testament After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Old Testament New Testament After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament New Testament After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt New Testament After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Rest from ALL labors New Testament After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Rest from ALL labors New Testament Jesus death and After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you resurrection Deliverance from Sin

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Rest from ALL labors New Testament Jesus death and Prepare on Saturday Keep it holy by following Jesus example After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you resurrection Deliverance from Sin

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Rest from ALL labors New Testament Jesus death and Prepare on Saturday Keep it holy by following Jesus example After Jesus Death Take my yoke upon you resurrection Deliverance from Sin

Time Remember Observance Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Remember on the Sabbath Day Old Testament Creation Redemption from Egypt Prepare on the 6th Day Rest from ALL labors New Testament Jesus death and After Jesus Death ? Take my yoke upon you resurrection Deliverance from Sin

RULES OR PRINCIPLES? Teachers should not provide a list of dos and don ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are the responsibility of individuals. Dallin H. Oaks Oct. 1999 Gen. Conf.

Some Sabbath Day Principles Does it bring me closer to God? Is it unselfish? Does it keep me unspotted from the world? Does it stop someone else from keeping the Sabbath? WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY?

SUNDAY 101 DISCUSSION 1.What do you think the phrase turn away thy foot from doing thy pleasure on my holy day means for us? 2.What blessings does the Lord promised for keeping the Sabbath day holy. 3.What can you do with your time on the Sabbath so you will not be doing your own ways or seeking your own pleasure 4.What activities have helped you to be able to call the Sabbath a delight ?

The Sabbath of the Lord is becoming the play day of the people. It is a day of golf and football on television, of buying and selling in our stores and markets. Are we moving to mainstream America as some observers believe? In this I fear we are. What a telling thing it is to see the parking lots of the markets filled on Sunday in communities that are predominately LDS. Our strength for the future, our resolution to grow the Church across the world, will be weakened if we violate the will of the Lord in this important matter. He has so very clearly spoken anciently and again in modern revelation. We cannot disregard with impunity that which He has said. Gordon B. Hinckley Oct. 1997 Gen. Conf.

Over a lifetime of observation, it is clear to me that the farmer who observes the Sabbath day seems to get more done on his farm than he would if he worked seven days. The mechanic will be able to turn out more and better products in six days than in seven. The doctor, the lawyer, the dentist, the scientist will accomplish more by trying to rest on the Sabbath than if he tries to utilize every day of the week for his professional work. I would counsel all students, if they can, to arrange their schedules so that they do not study on the Sabbath. If students and other seekers after truth will do this, their minds will be quickened and the infinite Spirit will lead them to the verities they wish to learn. This is because God has hallowed his day and blessed it as a perpetual covenant of faithfulness (Ensign, Nov. 1991, 34). James E. Faust Do you have a testimony of this?