A question regarding the 40 days and 40 Nights Fast of Jesus

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

this is probably your finest post in the religion section

at first I thought he was talking about me.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

at first I thought he was talking about me.

Actually, I was. I was also talking about Joseph Smith. One of my favorite passages from Cormac McCarthy's The Crossing is the ex-Mormon's monologue. Here's the crux of it:

"Things separate from their stories have no meaning. They are only shapes. Of a certain size and color. A certain weight. When their meaning has become lost to us they no longer have even a name. The story on the other hand can never be lost from its place in the world for it is that place. And that is what was to be found here. The corrido. The tale. And like all corridos it ultimately told one story only, for there is only one to tell."

No truer words were ever spoken, eh?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

Why did he need to fast for 40 days and 40 nights? Could he not be tempted without the fasting? Do we all have to go through a similar experience to be close to god? He is the example right?

Any thoughts on this?

I don't know if 40 days is literal or not, but his immortal heritage would probably allow him to do it if he really wanted to.