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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