Fasting

In my ward I'm the relief society teacher, so every once in a while I get to teach a big lesson to the wonderful girls in my ward. Today it was on fasting. 

The purposes of fasting that I prepared from scriptures is...

a form of true worship

to help in selecting Church officers

to draw closer to the Lord 

to receive special blessings 

to gain a testimony 

for the welfare of others 

to receive revelation 

to help nonmembers learn the truth

for spiritual strength and purification 

for help in time of sorrow 

a commandment of God

Then we were talking about other reasons in the class and Sister Bowman said something that I think is amazing. It's the reason I chose to write this whole blog post. That we need to fast to give thanks. Sometimes when I fast I just think of something quickly that has been in my prayers, but it's not something that I had really been thinking about fasting for. So at times like that, I think fasting is still important, but giving thanks is what I will be doing. I have SO much to be thankful for. And I don't show it enough. I love that idea. 

Another comment made in my lesson was that fasting is literally hungering and thirsting after righteousness. I love that. 

Anyway, that's just how I feel about fasting today. And I love teaching. :) So glad that I've decided to be a teacher as my profession because it makes me happy.