“A Time of Much Fasting and Prayer”
Fasting was commonly associated with times of grief or sorrow among the ancients. The Psalmist indicated sympathy with his adversaries’ sickness by fasting (see Psalms 35:13). Old Testament texts suggest that there was a mourning fast in behalf of the dead (see 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12). David, for instance, demonstrated his grief at Abner’s death by fasting (see 2 Samuel 3:35). It appears that such a fast was preserved as a funeral custom among the Nephites (see Alma 30:2).
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