Lesson 134

Isaiah 58

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that studying the gospel prayerfully with a desire to learn will help you to be taught and edified by the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

How do you feel when you willingly give something to help someone else?

As you watch this video, think of the opportunities you have as a member of the Lord’s Church to lift others.

Fast Sunday

Imagine yourself in the following situation:

A friend approaches you and asks, “I heard that in your church you go without food and water on certain days. Why would someone want to do that?”

1. How would you explain fasting and the reasons why the Lord has commanded His people to fast to your friend?

As you study Isaiah 58, look for principles that can help you better understand why we fast and how fasting can be a source of spiritual power.

Your Knowledge about Fasting

Before you study what Isaiah wrote about the law of the fast, let’s see what you already know about fasting.

Quiz 1

1. Which of the following statements correctly describe what fasting is? (Select all that apply.)

   1. Fasting is an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and to seek His blessings.

   2. Fasting is a law given to us primarily to help us improve our physical health.

   3. Fasting is voluntarily going without food and drink for two consecutive meals, or about 24 hours.

   4. Fasting is a commandment from the Lord.

2. When do Church members usually fast? (Select all that apply.)

   1. On religious holidays and for Church conferences

   2. One Sunday each month, usually the first Sunday

   3. Any time there is a special purpose or need

Actions without Sincerity

As recorded in Isaiah 58:1–2, the Lord told Isaiah to declare to “the house of Jacob [or Israel] their sins” (verse 1). These sins included performing religious duties and ordinances without sincere intent and acting “as a nation that did righteousness” (verse 2), when in fact they had not been righteous. In other words, they were appearing to be righteous but were not.

One law these Israelites practiced without sincerity was fasting. Read Isaiah 58:3, looking for what Isaiah said the people were wondering about the Lord and their fasting.

The Lord’s Response

According to Isaiah 58:3, the people wondered why the Lord had not responded to their fasting.

As recorded in Isaiah 58:3–4, the Lord told the people through Isaiah that rather than repenting and drawing closer to Him while they fasted, they were focusing on worldly pleasures and activities. Instead of showing compassion to others, they were forcing others to work, and they were irritable and contentious. The Lord said that because the Israelites were insincere and were not truly focused on Him, He would not acknowledge their fasting and prayers.

Before you read Isaiah 58:5, it might be helpful to know that a bulrush is a tall, thin grass that droops and that sackcloth is coarse material sometimes made from goat’s hair. In biblical times people often wore sackcloth or sat on sackcloth and ashes to symbolize their humility or sorrow.

Read Isaiah 58:5, looking for what the Lord asked about the people’s fasting.

The Intent of the Law of the Fast

We learn from Isaiah 58:5 that through His questions the Lord was teaching the people that true fasting is much more than simply performing rituals and showing others how much you are suffering. The people were merely going through the motions instead of fasting with purpose, sincerity, and true humility.

How might we make similar mistakes when we fast?

As recorded in Isaiah 58:6, the Lord began to explain the true intent of the law of the fast. Read Isaiah 58:6, and think about how you would complete the following statement:

If we fast as the Lord intends, …

You may want to write your completed statement in the margin of your scriptures or in your Notes on LDS.org.

Relief of Burdens

From Isaiah 58:6 we can identify the following principle: If we fast as the Lord intends, then we can help relieve others’ burdens and receive relief from our own burdens.

2. Answer at least two of the following questions:

• What difference can it make if we fast with a specific righteous purpose rather than just skip two meals?

• What are some examples of “bands of wickedness,” “heavy burdens,” oppression, or yokes that can be relieved when we fast?

• When have you or someone you know had burdens relieved through fasting? What did this experience teach you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Another Purpose of the Fast

Read Isaiah 58:7, looking for another intended purpose of fasting and another way you could complete this statement: If we fast as the Lord intends, …

Consider marking in your scriptures what you find.

The Poor and Needy

From Isaiah 58:7 we can identify the following principle: If we fast as the Lord intends, then we will care for the poor and needy. This care is made possible in part through our fast offerings.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what fast offerings are used for.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what fast offerings are used for.

“Fast offerings are used for one purpose only: to bless the lives of those in need. Every dollar given to the bishop as a fast offering goes to assist the poor. When donations exceed local needs, they are passed along to fulfill the needs elsewhere” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Law of the Fast,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2001, 74).

Many people wonder how much they should give for a fast offering. Generally, we should give at least the value of the two meals we don’t eat. Prophets have encouraged us to be generous when possible.

Promised Blessings

Read Isaiah 58:8–12, looking for blessings the Lord promised when we fast as He intends. As you read, also think about one more way you could complete this statement: If we fast as the Lord intends, …

You may want to mark the blessings you find.

Personal Experiences

From Isaiah 58:8–12 we can identify the principle that if we fast as the Lord intends, then He can bless us with light, health, righteousness, protection, revelation, and guidance.

3. Answer the following question:

• When have you or someone you know experienced any of the blessings listed above by fasting as the Lord intends? Describe what happened. If you cannot think of an experience, ask a parent or a leader you trust to share an experience with you.

• How has fasting helped you (or the person who shared an experience with you) come closer to the Savior?

A Goal

Think about your own fasting. Do you fast the way the Lord intends? Decide one way you will improve your fast.

To help you prepare for the next fast Sunday, record this goal on an electronic device you use frequently or on a piece of paper that you can see often.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a, c, d; (2) b, c