And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith,
being united
in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.
(D&C Section 29:6)
We're getting buckets of rain today, and I'm so happy. I thought you might enjoy the article from the Church News about our fast for an end to the drought. God does hear and answer prayers.
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| The City of Glendora California, on the edge of January's burn zone, prepares for flooding
Photo: Reed Saxon, AP
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California Mormons and neighbors fast and pray during drought,
receive rain
By Jason Swensen,
Church News staff writer
Published: Monday, Feb. 24 2014 2:05 p.m. MST
Updated: Monday, Feb. 24 2014 3:03 p.m. MST
The prophet Isaiah
taught, “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought…and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water,
whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58:6,7, 9, 11.)
Those divine words of
comfort — written long, long ago — have taken on new, contemporary relevance
for many California Latter-day Saints and their neighbors.
In recent years the
“Golden State” could be aptly renamed the “Bone Dry State.”
An ongoing drought in
California has been called the worst in state history. The governor recently
declared a drought emergency. Reservoirs have dropped to frighteningly low
levels. And local farmers have been left to wonder if there will be sufficient
water to sustain tens of thousands of acres of thirsty crops.
The impact and reach
of the historic drought stretches far beyond the state line. Much of the
nation’s fruits, vegetables and other agricultural goods are, of course,
produced in California.
Weather forecasts in
the early days of 2014 offered little promise of significant moisture — so
members recently came together in prayer and fasting to humbly petition the
Lord for rain.
After gaining
approval, local priesthood leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in California organized a special fast and day of prayer for Sunday, Feb. 2.
The special fast was
not limited to LDS congregations. Stake presidents, bishops, local Relief
Society leaders and rank-and-file members reached out to their neighbors and other
religious groups, inviting one and all to join their fast and prayer for
moisture.
Many say they then
witnessed a miracle. In some parts of California, the rain started to fall even
as Latter-day Saints worshiped together during their Sabbath-day fast and
testimony meetings. Then the rainfall continued in many more areas for several
days.
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| A TV weatherman shows our rainfall I'd give a photo credit, but I have no idea where this came from. It may be from NBC. |
“It has been a sweet
experience,” said Elder Zachary Smith, an Area Seventy. “In the days following
the fast there were significant amounts of rain in many parts of California.”
Elder Smith is an
attorney who specializes in water issues facing the state’s farm-rich Central
Valley. His professional duties have offered him a sobering perspective of the dire
situation in California. Local meteorologists, he said, had projected continued
parched weather.
“Their forecasts were
quite contrary to the rain we received after the fast.”
Elder Robert Packer,
an Area Seventy, said he and many others witnessed the hand of the Lord in the
days following the special fast. Several weeks ago, a high-pressure ridge had
settled off the coast of northern California and prevented rain clouds from
moving into the dry inland regions.
“But on the second of
February — the day of the fast — that high pressure ridge lifted,” he said.
The rains in many
areas of northern California began to fall and continued throughout the next
week.
“The Lord did listen
to our prayers and we were very grateful.”
Local priesthood
leaders also told the Church News they will never forget the support that the
day of fasting and prayer received from others in their community.
Morgan Hill
California Stake President Steven C. Merrill invited members of his Rotary Club
to join. Many immediately accepted his invitation. “The response from the
community was great,” he said.
Meanwhile, President
Robert L. Davis, who presides over the Laguna Niguel California Stake,
delivered letters to local clergy members inviting them and their congregants
to join with Latter-day Saints “in a special fast and day of prayer to petition
the heavens for moisture.”
Such prayerful unity
“was a great experience,” he said.
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| The Storm image as of today, Friday, February 28th
Photo: NOAA
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“There was a great
sense [of] purpose felt between the Latter-day Saints and the rest of our
community,” he said.
Elder W. Mark Bassett,
an Area Seventy who lives near Sacramento, shared a sentiment offered by many
local priesthood leaders: the blessings of the special fast extend far beyond
rainfall and reservoir levels.
Elder Bassett began
his fast by kneeling in prayer with his two young sons. The rain began to fall
a short time later — and each of the Bassett boys witnessed, firsthand, the
power of fasting and prayer.
Rainfall may have
been the desired result of the day. “But the reality of the miracle,” said
Elder Bassett, “is that our Heavenly Father listens to His people.”
