inspired

The feelings which come from fasting are sacred and very powerful. They inspire, edify and build strength. Fasting and prayer are companions, with out prayer you are simply going hungry…We are asked to fast one day a month, typically the first Sunday. On that day we go with out eating or drinking for two consecutive meals. We commune with our heavenly through prayer and contribute a fast offering. The offering should be equal to that which would have been eaten.
So why Should we fast?
There are countless reasons to fast. Fasting is one way of worshiping God and expressing our gratitude to Him. We can fast as we ask Heavenly Father to bless the sick and the afflicted. Fasting may also help us and those we love receive personal revelation and help them to realize the truthfulness of the gospel. Through fasting we can gain strength to resist temptations. We can strive to humble ourselves before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. We may fast to receive guidance in sharing the gospel and magnifying our Church callings.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the true form of fasting. He spoke against hypocrites who, when they fast, “disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.” Rather than putting on an outward show of righteousness, you should fast “unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
In the old testament the Prophet Isaiah testified of the blessings that come when we obey the law of the fast:(Isaiah 58:8–11)says “Then shall thy light 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 reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. … 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: 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”.
Fasting as a family can bring us great strength and unity. A few years ago my husband Paul and I had the opportunity to do a family fast with his parents. As a convert, and being one of the only 2 members in my family, we began working hard on genealogy. We were trying to get family names together to take to the temple. I was not sure which names should be done first. I was unsure of who was ready to receive the gospel. And I really wanted to have a spiritual connection with those who we took to the temple sessions we had set. While in our fast it became apparent to me the names we should take Would be the names of my Great Grandparents on my fathers side. James Knoxx Cameron and Desi Alma Stephenson Cameron. They died many years before I was born and I had only heard stories of them. All of which I remember to be simply amazing! When we arrived for the temple session I was over come with emotion and new for sure that not only was the spirit of the Lord with us that day but so was those of my Great Grandparents. I could hardly fight back the emotion and the tears of joy filled my heart. My story does not end there… The session ran a little late and we were unable to make it to the sealing room in time for the sealing session. I was heart broken as I knew that My great grandparents were waiting to be seal for all eternity! But as we walked passed the room the door opened and the Lubbock Texas Temple President stepped out. He looked at us in amazement . He told us that he had the strangest impression that there was some one waiting to be sealed. We told him that we were to be in the sealing but that we had run late in the endowment session. We were invited in. When we entered the room a flood of emotions fell upon the entire room. The sealer looked at us and said “ Ten thousand angles just entered this room. You were suppose to be here tonight.” I looked around and there was not a dry eye. We were immediately asked to be next. I really have no words to express the happiness I felt and I know that my Great Grandmother felt. The feeling of knowing that they will be TOGETHER FOREVER was over powering. At that moment I knew that my fasting and prayer had worked and that I had made the right choice.
When we fast in the proper spirit and in the lords way it will energize us spiritually, strengthen self discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven. We will be able to turn away from the things of the world and recognize our dependence on the lord. We can open our hearts to learn and accept Gods will for us and our families.
Rich blessing are promised to those who fast. In Malachi 3: 10 The Lord says “I will.. open the widows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Though this scripture does speak of Tithing You can apply the same to the blessing of fasting when combined with prayer. The savior taught “ Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be open to you: for every one that asketh recieveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Why should we pay a fast offering?
Something as simple as paying a generous fast offering can have a profound effect in the blessing the lives of those who are in need. President David O. Mckay taught that fasting and giving fast offerings provides an economic means which, when carried out by a prefect and active organization, will supply the needs of every poor person. When you see a mother filling her empty shelves with food and realizing that she can feed her children, that’s when you get a since of the sacred nature of the fast offerings. The Fast offering funds are not sacred until the are used to bless some ones life. As we give a generous fast offering we literally feed the hungry, we bind the wounds of the sick, cloth the naked and open ourselves to receive choice blessings. Some look at the overwhelming need in the world and think, “ what could I possibly do that could possibly make a difference?” You can live the law of the fast and contribute a generous fast offering.
Brothers and sisters I testify that fasting and prayer brings forth great blessings. Not only amazing temple experiences but It has brought me great comfort and peace and we have battled sicknesses. It has strengthened me when I have battled the deepest of depression and as helped me to find the truest friends who are like family when we are so far from home. I know that the Lord used the Prophet Joseph Smith to restore this gospel to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible and I know the truths that lie therein. I am so grateful for the missionaries, without them we would be unable to share this truly amazing gospel with the world. I am so grateful for my husband and the support that he gives me. He is so wonderful and I love him so much. I am grateful for my children and the crazy things I learn from them everyday! I am so grateful for my friends, I don’t know where I would be with out you! I challenge each of you to find a special reason to fast for this next Fast Sunday. Strive to feel the spirit as I know that as you do these things your prayers will be answered and so many who are in need will be cared for. I hope that we are all able to find ways to discover the rich blessings that come from this holy principle. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ .Amen


It is amazing to me the spiritual blessing that come from reading the scriptures, praying and receiving priesthood blessings.OUR little family has been through a lot over the last few years. Some huge struggles, trial and great blessing. We have been faced with health struggles with myself and our children, particularly with our sweet Zach. We have seen every Dr and specialist under the sun at least once. Though we continue to be baffled by him and the problems he faces. We have also faced surgeries and discovered heart conditions with our Middle child Xander. We also recently were faced with the challenge of a rental/repo in the house we were living… Everything piled higher and higher… I hit a brick wall and crashed. I felt like I could not handle one more thing. I felt a light fog wash over me and it began to get darker and darker. I realized that I had begun to question and blame Heavenly Father for all that we had to deal with over the years. The 10 moves in 9 years, the medical mysteries that seem to be lurking at every corner and over flowing family drama. I love my family but it all started to weigh me down. I felt like I couldn’t breath. My light had left me in the dark. I tried to get it back but something always stood in the way and I could only see faint glimpses…I hit an emotional and spiritual low this last week. I went searching for answers to my fog… Thanks goodness for our priesthood holding husbands. Paul asked if I needed a blessing of comfort. Grasping at hope and looking for any answers I accepted. It was so amazing and powerful. It spoke right to my heart. And I suddenly felt the bright shinning light I had been longing for. I have been searching the scriptures and praying for relief to my dilemma’s. IT WAS IN FRONT OF ME ALL ALONG.
Reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 :25-3125Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
I know this scripture doesn’t speak of my particular situation, but I realized a huge thing…. God gives calling to the weak. They are better equip to handle them. I have been called in this life as Jennie Lovell loving wife to Paul Lovell and caring mother to Zachariah, Alexander and Haven Lovell. No other person can handle this job like I or I would not have been called.I realized that some where along the way I stopped trusting that the Lord knew what he was doing when he sent me here. I realized that there is NO comfort like Heavenly father’s . And man is it amazing. Now, I still have problems and no they cant be fixed over night. I will still wonder why children are plagued with mysteries and what I have to learn from them. But I came across another scripture… 1 Corinthians 2:5 ..your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man but in the power of GOD. Heavenly father will solve our mysteries for us. I should not rely solely on the wisdom of men. And should Trust more in the power of God. I have a renewed look at life. A renewed testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that even in the face of adversity he is on the sideline cheering us through. I have a testimony of the scriptures that they are true. They are amazing and I should read them more often. I have a testimony of the priesthood and the blessings it brings.
What a wonderful new out look on life.