The first Sunday of the month is always a special time for our family. Like Mormons throughout the world, we fast — go without food and water for 24 hours — and make a donation to our church's fund to benefit the poor. It's counterintuitive, but I always feel energized after fasting, and I've found that it brings spiritual strength into my life that is unobtainable in other ways. Of course, Jews are no strangers to the practice and power of fasting, which I believe has done much to preserve and protect their communities throughout the centuries.

If there's any city in America that could use spiritual power and healing right now, it's Baltimore. When the Orioles have to play a home game in an empty stadium due to fears of unrest, you know that you have a big problem.  Like everyone else in the city, the local Mormon stake president (regional leader) is seeking for ways to lessen tensions. His suggestion last week to have faith communities fast for healing