Fast-Offering Donations

Policy and Principles

“Church leaders encourage members to live the law of the fast. Typically this includes (1) fasting each fast Sunday for two consecutive meals and (2) giving a fast offering that is at least the equivalent value of the meals not eaten. Members are encouraged to be generous and give much more than the value of the two meals if they are able.

“Where a ward is geographically concentrated and where safety conditions permit, the bishop may direct Aaronic Priesthood holders, especially deacons, to contact member households each month to give members the opportunity to contribute fast offerings. Even if members do not contribute, priesthood holders should continue to give them the opportunity to do so. If distances or other circumstances make it necessary, the bishop may limit or eliminate fast-offering collections from homes.” In such cases, the bishop could encourage members to use an approved electronic method such as Online Donations.

“Priesthood holders should go in pairs when gathering fast offerings. Melchizedek Priesthood holders may accompany Aaronic Priesthood holders if necessary.

“Members should not give other contributions, such as tithing, to those who collect fast offerings.

“Those who gather fast offerings deliver them promptly to a member of the bishopric.

“Some members may choose to contribute fast offerings by using the envelopes for tithing and other offerings and giving them directly to the bishopric.

“Members should contribute fast offerings without designating how the funds should be used. Bishops may not enter into arrangements or make commitments to give a member’s fast-offering contribution to an individual or family or to use it for a special purpose that the donor designates.

“Mission and temple presidents contribute fast offerings to the ward where their membership records are located” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [2020], 34.4.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

STEP 1

Where a ward is geographically concentrated and where safety conditions permit, the bishop may direct Aaronic Priesthood holders, especially deacons, to contact member households each month to give members the opportunity to contribute fast offerings.

STEP 2

Priesthood holders should go in pairs when gathering fast offerings. Melchizedek Priesthood holders may accompany Aaronic Priesthood holders if necessary. They give each member a fast-offering envelope that contains a Tithing and Other Offerings form. The member records the fast-offering amount on the form, places the form and money in the envelope, and gives it to the priesthood holders.

STEP 3

Those who gather fast offerings deliver them promptly to the bishop or one of his counselors.

Procedures

Fast offerings are sometimes collected by members of the Aaronic Priesthood. They follow these procedures to collect fast offerings:

1. Aaronic Priesthood holders, in pairs, visit members in their homes and hand out fast-offering envelopes.
2. Each envelope contains a Tithing and Other Offerings form. A donor may record the amount of his or her fast offering and place the form and money in the fast-offering envelope while the members of the Aaronic Priesthood wait. Only fast offerings may be gathered in this manner; other donations must be given directly to a member of the bishopric.
3. When finished collecting donations, members of the Aaronic Priesthood immediately give these envelopes to a member of the bishopric.
4. A member of the bishopric includes the donations in these envelopes with other donations received when recording donations on Sunday.