Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Is Jesus Christ a God of Miracles?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Mormon 7-9 in a lesson titled “I Speak unto You as if Ye Were Present.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Moroni knew what it felt like to be alone in a wicked world—especially after his father died in battle and the Nephites were destroyed. “I even remain alone,” he wrote. “I have not friends nor whither to go” (Mormon 8:3, 5). Things may have seemed hopeless, but Moroni found hope in Jesus Christ and his testimony that “the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on” (Mormon 8:22). And Moroni knew that a key part of those eternal purposes would be the Book of Mormon—the record he was now diligently completing, the record that would one day bring many people “to the knowledge of Christ” (Mormon 8:16; 9:36). Moroni’s faith in these promises made it possible for him to declare to the future readers of this book, “I speak unto you as if ye were present,” and “I know that ye shall have my words” (Mormon 8:35; 9:30). Now we do have his words, and the Lord’s work is rolling forth, in part because Mormon and Moroni stayed true to their mission, even when they were alone.

This reading block, like most of them, contains several principles that are worthy of further discussion, such as (1) “Believe in Jesus Christ” and “lay hold upon [His] gospel” (Mormon 7), (2) The Book of Mormon is of great worth (Mormon 7:8-10; 8:12-16; 9:31-37), (3) I can keep the commandments even when others do not (Mormon 8:1-11), and (4) The Book of Mormon was written for our day (Mormon 8:26-41; 9:1-30). However, I feel prompted to discuss this principle: Jesus Christ is a God of miracles (Mormon 9:1-25).

Mormon concluded his message with a powerful message in Mormon 7. However, Moroni added an epistle from his father in Mormon 8. Mormon compiled the Book of Mormon from numerous records written over 1,000 years. Mormon and Moroni both knew that the record was written for future generations. In Mormon 9, Moroni wrote a powerful message for people living today who do not believe in miracles.

Mormon wrote in his epistle to Moroni that the record that he was compiling on gold plates would come forth “in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away” (Mormon 8:26). Moroni wrote the following:

1 And now, I speak also concerning those who do not believe in Christ….


10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.


11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

Moroni writes about miracles in the remaining verses of chapter 9. He wrote because it is important for us today to know that God still performs miracles because there are still people who believe in Jesus Christ. If there is no faith in Christ, there can be no miracles.

My family and friends were recently reminded that God does perform miracles today. My son (age 49) recently fell thirty feet – upside down – while mountain climbing in August. He had serious injuries and is still healing from them, but he had no brain damage, no spinal cord damage, and no problems with breathing. He will eventually heal completely from his injuries and is already living a normal life with a splint on his wrist.

Miracles took place as he was falling. When I asked God why He had not answered my prayers to protect my son, the Spirit answered that He was protecting him from more serious injuries. Miracles took place in the air rescue from the mountain. The rescue team was preparing for a practice rescue and had all their equipment ready to put in the helicopter when the call came into the center. Miracles took place in the actual rescue because there was no wind in an area where air rescues are usually prevented by winds. My son was in the hospital in two and a half hours rather than the usual twelve hours.

My son’s recovery has been just as miraculous. His bones and brain have taken time to heal, but he has made steady progress since he arrived home from the hospital within a week. The miracle is that there is no permanent damage. He does and will live a normal life and recently returned to work as an emergency room doctor.

I know that Jesus Christ is a God of miracles!

 

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