Question
Gramps,
Can I drink water or herb tea on Fast Sunday?
David
Answer
David,
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fasting is a sacred and recurring practice designed to draw individuals closer to God. Observed typically on the first Sunday of each month—known as Fast Sunday—members are invited to abstain from food and drink, pray with greater intent, and offer a donation to help those in need. A common question arises, however: Does this include water? And what about herbal tea?
To answer that, it’s important to begin with what the Church actually teaches about fasting. Official Church materials consistently define fasting as going without both food and drink. The Church’s Gospel Topics explains that fasting is “voluntarily refraining from eating and drinking,” and members are asked to go without food and drink for about 24 hours if they are able. Similarly, the Church’s newsroom states that Latter-day Saints “abstain from food and drink for two meals” on Fast Sunday.
This wording is significant. It does not separate food from drink—it includes both. Historically, Church guidance has been even more explicit. An official Church publication once clarified that “a proper fast day observance consists of abstaining from food and drink,” and that “the use of water is excluded in this kind of a fast.” Based on this, the traditional LDS understanding of fasting includes abstaining from all liquids, including water.
Scripture reinforces this pattern. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:76, the Lord commands His people to “continue in fasting and prayer,” linking the physical act of fasting with spiritual devotion. Likewise, the Bible presents fasting as a complete offering of oneself to God. In Isaiah 58, the Lord teaches that a true fast is not just about abstaining but about changing the heart—feeding the hungry, caring for the afflicted, and drawing nearer to Him.
Church leaders have consistently emphasized that fasting is more than just going without food—it is a spiritual act tied closely to prayer. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught, “Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry.” That insight helps clarify that the purpose of fasting is not deprivation for its own sake, but transformation—aligning our will with God’s.
So, where does that leave the question of water or herbal tea?
From a strictly traditional and doctrinal standpoint, the standard LDS fast includes abstaining from both food and drink, meaning neither water nor herbal tea would be part of a full fast. Herbal tea, even though it may not violate the Word of Wisdom, is still considered a beverage and would generally fall under the category of “drink.” Therefore, those who are able typically avoid it during their fast.
However—and this is crucial—LDS theology emphasizes wisdom, personal responsibility, and individual circumstances. The Church does not enforce fasting as a rigid, one-size-fits-all rule. In fact, official materials acknowledge that those who are not physically able to fast fully may adapt their observance. Members are counseled that if they cannot go without food and drink for 24 hours, they should decide what is appropriate for their situation.
This principle reflects a broader doctrinal truth: God values the intent of the heart more than strict outward performance. Fasting is meant to bless, not harm. For individuals who are pregnant, nursing, ill, elderly, or managing medical conditions, drinking water—or even modifying the fast more significantly—may be entirely appropriate. In such cases, choosing to drink water does not invalidate the fast; rather, it means the individual is honoring the principle in a safe and sincere way.
There is also an important spiritual balance to consider. Fasting is intended to deepen humility, increase dependence on God, and open the door to revelation. As one Church resource teaches, fasting “coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful” and can bring spiritual strength and guidance. That power comes not from technical perfection, but from genuine devotion.
In practical terms, many Latter-day Saints approach fasting with a simple framework:
- If they are able, they abstain from all food and drink, including water.
- If they are not able, they adjust thoughtfully while maintaining the spirit of the fast.
That spirit includes prayer, gratitude, repentance, and service. It also includes giving a fast offering to help those in need—an essential part of the law of the fast that reflects Isaiah’s teaching to “deal thy bread to the hungry.”
So, can you drink water or herbal tea on Fast Sunday?
The clearest doctrinal answer is this: the traditional standard is to abstain from both food and drink, including water and herbal tea. However, the higher principle is to fast in a way that is sincere, safe, and spiritually meaningful given your circumstances.
If you are healthy and able, a full fast without food or drink can be a powerful act of devotion. If you need to drink water or modify your fast, you can still fully participate in the blessings of fasting by focusing on prayer, humility, and service.
Ultimately, fasting in LDS theology is not about proving endurance—it is about drawing closer to God. And that purpose can be fulfilled in different ways for different people, all under the guidance of personal revelation.
That’s really the heart of it.
Gramps
