One of the FEW things that TSCC ever did that was marginally Christlike was using Fast Offerings to help out members in need. Properly executed, that program could really help folks out. (And yes, I am well aware that individual wards do not always execute that program the way it should be, but at least this program has the potential to be a good one, IMHO.)

When I was still active, I never minded making donations to that program, though I have to be honest and admit that I didn't hardly ever actually do the fasting. I like to eat too much to do that. I'd just donate some money every month, content in the notion that my donation would help out my brothers and sisters.

I've been out a few years now, and low and behold -- I now desire to improve my own personal health (and lose weight in the process) by adopting a KETOGENIC diet. (A Keto diet is high fat, moderate protein and low carb). Actually, I adopted it back in 2013, and lost about 90 pounds on it.

For several years, I didn't gain any of that weight back, but I've gotten sloppy with my maintenance diet, and now, I'm slowly gaining a few of those pounds back. I've gained about 8 pounds over the past year, and IMHO, that is unacceptable. It was too hard loosing that weight back a few years ago.

So, its back to the weight loss form of the Keto Diet, until I shed 10 pounds. Since I am no longer the fat person I once was, it will be much harder to loose those 10 pounds.

To loose those 10 pounds, I will not only need to eat a keto diet, but I will need to incorporate some 14 to 16 hour fasts in there as well (intermittent fasting).

I never thought about donating money to a worthy cause for the money I saved back years ago. I was also fighting cancer at the time, and my attention was focused on recovering from that - and my weight loss was actually an active part of my fight to regain my health after the cancer.

But this time, I have decided that the idea of donating the cost of meals I have chosen to fast through is a good idea.

Of course, I am NOT going to donate the money to TSCC's fast offering fund. There are many other excellent places that money can be directed to.

In my case, I have decided to alternate my monthly donations. This month, I'll donate my fasting funds to the Salvation Army. Next month, I'll donate my fasting funds to my local community's food bank.

There are few things I feel need to thank TSCC for. But I might never have thought up the idea of donating the money I save with my intermittent fasting if I hadn't learned to do this during my years with TSCC.

So, I will give thanks where thanks is due.

Thanks, TSCC, for teaching me to donate while I fast...

Fasting worked out oddly for me, too. Due to a hereditary kidney illness that rampages through several generations of my family, I was not able, by orders of my renal specialist, to go for any length of time without adequate hydration.

I tried to explain this to the bishop we had at that time, but he took the approach of "Are you daring to put the wisdom of MEN before that of GOD??" I related this to my nephrologist, a brilliant Hindu gentleman whose judgement I trusted (and still do - he is still my doctor) who took a dim view of an un-ordained civilian daring to question him.

He wrote a blistering letter to the Bishop, laying out the case that any period of dehydration was dangerous for me, and that the bishop could feel free to contact him for further information about the pernicious nature of the ailment, if he so chose.

The bishop didn't choose. Just about everyone in the ward knew that I had official permission to drink water during the three-hour meeting period, and that I had a legitimate medical reason to do it. More than one sister from RS whispered to me that while she didn't, of course, envy me the disease, she certainly envied me the freedom to drink when I needed to.

I was scrupulous about the rest of the fasting, which wasn't a big deal.

Now I look back on that period as a time of temporary insanity. Imagine - the bishop, whose day job I don't recall, but it wasn't like he was a university professor or anything impressive - insisting that I should believe HIM over my doctor, who was a specialist in ailments like mine.

Mormon presumption is staggering, at times.

I think it would be interesting to see when water became prohibited as part of fast day fasting.

The original meetings, held on thursdays, was where the members themselves for the most part brought the food they would have eaten to the meeting for the bishop to distribute as needed.

Later the day was transfered to a sunday. I do remember back in the 60s some members, especially the elderly widows, donated food.

At some point it became a cash only deal and water was prohibited.

The rule I knew was "nothing to eat, nothing to drink" for the 24-hour period that ended when Sacrament meeting was over.

I carry a "Contigo" brand metal water container around with me, literally everywhere I go, from room to room around the house. And it is always with me when I go anywhere in the car. It isn't a luxury any more. It's the way I live.

I hated fasting...not so much the going without meal...but the fact it was a rule...I don't do meaningless rules. Hit the wealthy members up for a 100 bucks once a month and stop bleeding the widows.