When you choose to fast, it’s important to begin with a prayer. As you talk to God, express your desire to fast and the purpose or reason for your fast. You can fast for almost anything, including strength in personal trials or blessings for a friend or family member who needs help. After you pray, abstain from food and drink until you are ready to “break,” or finish, your fast. To close your fast, say another prayer to give thanks to God for your fasting experience and to reiterate any blessings, guidance, or help you are hoping to receive.

Generally, a period of fasting lasts for 24 hours or two consecutive meals. However, the length of your fast is entirely up to you. As you fast, please be conscious of your health and well-being. It is not necessary or expected to fast for long periods of time or at a high frequency.

On the first Sunday of each month, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come together in fasting and prayer for two consecutive meals. As part of their fast, everyone is given the opportunity to donate the money that they would have spent on meals to help the needy. This optional donation is called a fast offering.

No, missionary visits are free for everyone. Jesus Christ invites all to come unto Him “without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). Missionaries actually pay to see you, covering their own costs to come on a mission. Local Church leaders and class instructors don’t get paid either.

Church service times vary from congregation to congregation. However, you can always count on one main worship service for everyone, followed by classes for children, youth, and adults.

The service for everyone is called “sacrament meeting.” This meeting consists of songs, prayers, and sermons (or “talks”) given by different members of the congregation every week. But the most important part of the meeting is when we take the sacrament (which is similar to Communion) to remember the Savior.