Fast Day change-first Thursday to first Sunday ... the Fast Day mentioned ... was instituted following the famine of 1855-1856 in Utah. The principle underlying the inauguration of the Fast Day at that time was the rationing of foodstuffs by those families who had plenty and sharing with those whose crops had failed and had little or none. ...
This change ... to the first Sunday of each month marks an adjustment of the "Mormon" society to an increased industrialization which made a weekday Fast Service no longer feasible. ...
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...
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. ...
[Source: Deseret Evening News, November 7, 1896, p. 7; Deseret Weekly, November 14, 1896, p. 678; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
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