AN ADDRESS to the officers and members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints:
Dear Brethren and Sisters—It has
been a practice in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, sanctioned
by the word of the Lord, to fast and
pray, and in this manner to seek for
that faith which Saints should possess,
and obtain that spirit of humility
which we are commanded to cultivate.
Shortly after the arrival of the people
in the valley of the Great Salt Lake,
the first Thursday in each month was
set apart as a day of fasting and
prayer. The members of the Church
were enjoined to bring on that day
their contributions for the relief and
sustenance of the poor, and hand them
to the Bishop of the ward.
At the time of the adoption of this
regulation it was very convenient for
the people generally to meet together
in their places of worship on that day.
The conditions were such that they,
being of one faith, employers and em-
ployed, could leave their labor and
devote a few hours to
the Lord.
For many years these meetings were
well attended, and they were of a
most interesting character, and were a
comfort and a strength to all who
shared in them, as it was the practice
for persons of both sexes to bear their
testimony and take active part in them
in each ward under the direction of the
bishopric.
As the years rolled by, conditions
changed, and it became more difficult
for the people generally, and especially
those in steady employment, to attend
these meetings, until at the present
time they have dwindled to such an
extent that comparatively few have the
opportunity of attending them. Thurs-
day as a day of fasting and prayer in
the Church no longer serves
the object for which it was intended.
Our attention has been called to this
subject, and after mature deliberation,
it has been decided to change the day
that has heretofore been devoted to
this purpose. Instead of the custom-
ary assemblages in the various wards
throughout Zion on the first Thursday
in each month, we have concluded to
set apart the first Sunday in every
month as the day for the regular fast
meeting.
Hereafter, therefore, we desire the
Latter-day Saints, under the direction
of the Presidents of Stakes and the
Bishops, to meet in their several places
of worship on the afternoon of the first
Sunday in each month, whenever it
can be done conveniently, and devote
the meeting to the administration of
the Sacrament, to the bearing of testi-
mony by the members of the Church,
to the blessing of children and the con-
firming of members in the Church,
and to such other services as have
usually been attended to at such meet-
ings. We feel assured that excellent re-
sults will follow the giving of members
of the Church an opportunity to bear
their testimony to each other and to
seek for the gifts which the Lord has
promised to those who keep His com-
mandments.
Care should also be taken on such
occasions to see that the wants of the
poor are relieved by the contributions
of the Saints in their behalf, that no
cry of the indigent or suffering shall
arise from our land in the ears of the
Lord of Sabaoth.
In Salt Lake City, instead of the
people meeting in the Tabernacle on
the afternoon of the first Sunday in
each month, we have concluded that it
will be better for that service to be
dispensed with, and for the Latter-day
Saints to meet in their several wards
on that afternoon, so as to give all the
members of the ward, including the
aged and infirm, and others who are
unable to go to the Tabernacle, an op-
portunity to participate in the fast
meeting and share in the blessings of
the occasion. In other Stakes where
general meetings are held as in this
city, we suggest that they also be dis-
pensed with on the first Sunday of
each month, and that the Saints meet
in their places of worship in the sev-
eral wards.
In some places the custom has arisen
to consider it a fast to omit eating
breakfast. This is not in accordance
with the views and practice of the
past. When fasts were observed in
the early days, it was the rule to not
partake of food from the previous
day until after the meeting in the
afternoon of the fast day. In making
donations to the poor also it has been
the understanding that the food that
would be necessary for the two meals
should be donated to the poor, and as
much more as those who are liberally
inclined and have the means may feel
disposed to give.
In giving this counsel to the Church
upon this subject, we include all the
missions where the Elders are
laboring, either in the United States
or in foreign lands. We think
this arrangement will suit the
convenience and circumstances of
all the Latter-day Saints throughout
the world, and we would like it to be
observed by all the organized branches
of the Church in every land, so that
our fasting and praying may be uni-
form and the time be understood by
all.
Before closing this address to the
Saints, we feel led to say that
if there should be sickness or any
evil resting upon or threatening
the people, these meetings furnish
an excellent opportunity to bring such
afflictions and troubles before the Lord.
By approaching Him in the spirit of
humility and union, we can suppli-
cate Him to remove these afflic-
tions or evils from the individuals
or from the people. Our past ex-
perience has proved to us how will-
ing our Father in Heaven is to
hear our cries in the hours
of extremity and difficulty,
when we approach Him in a proper
spirit and with proper faith. He is
quick to hear the cries of His people, [Alma 9:26]
and He has promised to us that if we will
draw near unto Him, He will draw
near unto us. Such occasions as these,
therefore, ought to be taken advantage
of by the afflicted, whether in an in-
dividual or in a collective capacity.
With constant prayers for your wel-
fare and happiness and the prosperity
of the work of God,
We are your brethren,
WILFORD WOODRUFF,
GEORGE Q. CANNON,
JOSEPH F. SMITH,
First Presidency.
