Editing Fast offering (section)

==Background==
Members are encouraged to fast once a month on [[Fast Sunday]] and to give the money they save by not eating two meals to the church; those who can afford to be more generous are encouraged to give more than simply the money saved as a fast offering.<ref name = churchofjesuschrist.org/> Members may also choose to fast and donate fast offerings more than once per month.

When the [[Mormon pioneer]]s first settled in the western United States in 1847, LDS Church leaders encouraged members to perform their fast on the first Thursday of each month, and to donate the food thus saved to their [[Bishop (LDS Church)|bishop]]. This food was collected in small buildings called "[[Bishop's Storehouse]]s", and were held until needed by other members. Over time, this practice was changed: the members, who were primarily farmers and laborers, had difficulty fasting on a day of regular labor, so the day of observance was changed to Sunday. When [[money]], in the form of [[Coin|specie]] instead of [[barter]], became more available in [[Utah Territory]], members were encouraged to make their donations in cash, which could better be held until needed to purchase food.