Guide to Being Married to a Mormon.

Fast Sunday.

Today I asked him what day was “Fast Sunday” again. It’s like the 3rd time this month I’ve asked.

I asked him about an important life decision, and he wants to wait for Fast Sunday to come so he can pray about it..and I’m impatient. Not sure why I need an answer now.. but I’m also not sure why he needs to wait for a special Sunday to pray. Totally thought that was the idea, of praying. Ask and ye shall receive? Why only if you ask that day? Does that mean if you ask this day, you’ll get a faster/better answer than if you were to ask the last Sunday of the month? I’ve asked him about his process many times. I’m genuinely curious, but still confused because of the way I think about it. Because I’ve gone through this process of deciding that religion was NOT for me. I don’t agree with it. It seems.. unnecessary. BUT.. he not only loves it, his religion, but he grew up with it. It’s embedded in his code. And I’m so sure he feels the same way about atheism that I do about religion. So, here we are.

I’ve questioned this relationship.. lots of times. But the truth of the matter is… I don’t think I would love him if I didn’t find him interesting and or real. This is him. The real him. And he makes me deliriously happy. And this religion, with a few tweaks, makes him happy. So.. instead of hating it… I ask questions. And, he does too. And that’s OK. We’re both pretty respectful, usually he more than I.. but he’s also got thicker skin.. So this is what works for us.

Back to the point. Fast Sunday : Usually(??) the 1st Sunday of each month. “Usually” because, apparently twice a year.. they (Mormons) decide that they have a special meeting instead of Fast Sunday. During this fast, they go without food (sometimes water as well) and concentrate on their prayers a little more. They remove eating for the day (until dinner) as a task, for a few reasons. As far as I can tell, it helps them not be distracted, so as to feel that spirit just a little more. Sermon that day, called Fast and Testimony meeting, is not a bunch of lessons from leaders, but a bunch of people sharing why they believe in the church, or what helps them feel close to their lord. So, they share their love, and focus on feeling spiritual.. and the prayer helps them feel their direction.