In my studies this week, I was particularly struck by these verses:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.
And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. ...And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
(Moroni 7: 27-29, 33)
This is kind of a continuation of an impression received during Elder Ballard's talk now two weeks ago in the Trinity Chapel in Boston. I would like to flesh out here two aspects of miracles: their existence (and what they look like) and how to become an agent by which miracles come to pass.
I think it's obvious from the verses above that miracles do exist. In fact, this is a doctrine that is not confined either to just our Church; many people around the world believe that God is full of grace, and enacts miracles, imparting his tender mercies upon his children. But what do these miracles look like?
I submit that a miracle is anything that happens within God's will for our good, but beyond our mortal conception. And even if we do conceive it, miracles come when we recognize that the blessing received would not have been possible had it not been for the Lord's intervening hand.
For example, a family decides to pay their tithing in faith, but nevertheless does not know how they will pay their pending expenses. But somehow, some way, they are able to make ends meet. Someone comes to the plate, impulsed by the Spirit to lend a helping hand in some way. This, my friends, is a miracle.
But notice that miracles come to those who believe. If we do not have faith that the Lord can make miracles happen in our lives, then they will not come to pass. Likewise, if we don't have faith in God's power we will not be an instrument by which miracles come to pass.
I included verse 33 in the above excerpt because we must understand that God works through his children, and thus we must be ready to serve others around us. We must have faith that we may gain power to do whatever is "expedient in him," only expecting to do that much. Into play comes the balancing act between our will and His, which I am convinced can only be performed on our knees. Pleading with Heavenly Father to grant us faith and charity for his children, we may be able to exact miracles that he sees fit to happen.
The picture above is of the prophet who wrote the above verses. His name is Moroni, and he had the singular fate of being the last believer on the earth in his time. It was his great hope that the Lamanites, his distant and unbelieving relatives who now populated the land, would one day come to believe. He knew that it would take a miracle. He knew that only God would restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth, and that this would be a miracle as well. Basically, he wrote these verses from personal experience. Now, we will never be in Moroni's shoes, but we can emulate the faith he had. When was the last time you saw a miracle? What did it look like for you?
I am grateful for the knowledge that miracles do exist. I am grateful for the knowledge that I may be an instrument in God's hands to bring about miracles, as well. And finally, I am grateful for the veil that he puts over my eyes to not see that miracles that do enact on his behalf, that I may maintain a semblance of deference and devotion to God's will.
I am grateful for the Spirit by which I have been compelled to write today. It has filled my heart with hope for God's choicest miracles to happen in my life, granted that he is willing.
I know that God lives. I know that Christ is his literal Son, and that Jesus performed the Atonement for all mankind, that we may repent and believe on Him, one day returning to His presence. I know that the Book of Mormon, from which the above excerpt was extracted, is true Scripture, brought about in the modern era that we may have a bolstered testimony of Christ and His true Gospel. It is my prayer that we may all grow to know these simple truths.
Have a Great Week!
--Sean
(Moroni 7: 27-29, 33)
This is kind of a continuation of an impression received during Elder Ballard's talk now two weeks ago in the Trinity Chapel in Boston. I would like to flesh out here two aspects of miracles: their existence (and what they look like) and how to become an agent by which miracles come to pass.
I think it's obvious from the verses above that miracles do exist. In fact, this is a doctrine that is not confined either to just our Church; many people around the world believe that God is full of grace, and enacts miracles, imparting his tender mercies upon his children. But what do these miracles look like?
I submit that a miracle is anything that happens within God's will for our good, but beyond our mortal conception. And even if we do conceive it, miracles come when we recognize that the blessing received would not have been possible had it not been for the Lord's intervening hand.
For example, a family decides to pay their tithing in faith, but nevertheless does not know how they will pay their pending expenses. But somehow, some way, they are able to make ends meet. Someone comes to the plate, impulsed by the Spirit to lend a helping hand in some way. This, my friends, is a miracle.
But notice that miracles come to those who believe. If we do not have faith that the Lord can make miracles happen in our lives, then they will not come to pass. Likewise, if we don't have faith in God's power we will not be an instrument by which miracles come to pass.
I included verse 33 in the above excerpt because we must understand that God works through his children, and thus we must be ready to serve others around us. We must have faith that we may gain power to do whatever is "expedient in him," only expecting to do that much. Into play comes the balancing act between our will and His, which I am convinced can only be performed on our knees. Pleading with Heavenly Father to grant us faith and charity for his children, we may be able to exact miracles that he sees fit to happen.
The picture above is of the prophet who wrote the above verses. His name is Moroni, and he had the singular fate of being the last believer on the earth in his time. It was his great hope that the Lamanites, his distant and unbelieving relatives who now populated the land, would one day come to believe. He knew that it would take a miracle. He knew that only God would restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth, and that this would be a miracle as well. Basically, he wrote these verses from personal experience. Now, we will never be in Moroni's shoes, but we can emulate the faith he had. When was the last time you saw a miracle? What did it look like for you?
I am grateful for the knowledge that miracles do exist. I am grateful for the knowledge that I may be an instrument in God's hands to bring about miracles, as well. And finally, I am grateful for the veil that he puts over my eyes to not see that miracles that do enact on his behalf, that I may maintain a semblance of deference and devotion to God's will.
I am grateful for the Spirit by which I have been compelled to write today. It has filled my heart with hope for God's choicest miracles to happen in my life, granted that he is willing.
I know that God lives. I know that Christ is his literal Son, and that Jesus performed the Atonement for all mankind, that we may repent and believe on Him, one day returning to His presence. I know that the Book of Mormon, from which the above excerpt was extracted, is true Scripture, brought about in the modern era that we may have a bolstered testimony of Christ and His true Gospel. It is my prayer that we may all grow to know these simple truths.
Have a Great Week!
--Sean
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