~ Fasting

But I have further deemed it highly necessary and very urgent, to make known to your modesty - for I have written this to each one - that you should proclaim the fast of forty days to the brethren, and persuade them to fast, lest, while all the world is fasting, we ... should be derided, as the only people who do not fast, but take our pleasure in these days. ... But O, my beloved, whether in this way or any other, persuade and teach them to fast the forty days. For it is a disgrace that when all the world does this, [we], instead of fasting, should find ... pleasure.

~ Fasting

For on the days of the fast, counsel and admonition on that subject are indeed not at all necessary; the very presence of these days exciting even those who are the most remiss to the effort of fasting.

~ Fasting

Brethren and fathers, in my lowliness I rejoice over you, because you are walking in harmony, conducting yourselves peaceably and continuing the season of the fast with endurance. And this is for your salvation and for our hope; for peace and harmony are a considerable good in a community, already evils are kept far away: disorder and instability, contradiction and slander, disobedience and pride and any other wickedness that may exist!