BEHOLD! I AM A GOD OF MIRACLES

Christ’s love is like a poem that doesn’t always rhyme,

     yet comforts all of us in ways that are devine.

The beauty of the rose belies the sharpness of its thorns,

    like the miracle that blesses all who are forlorn.

A miracle is God’s gift that’s not always seen to be profound.

The end from the beginning is unclear to we earthly bound.

But there is a key of knowledge that is free to all mankind.

If we humbly ask for wisdom, if we seek then we will find.

For God gives His children all that they must know.

As the Holy Ghost teaches the way for us to grow.

So when life’s troubles come in ways so full of strife,

Seek to know God’s miracle. It will improve your life.

I ask the reader to ponder these verses. They contain a profound truth and the means by which we may know their truthfulness. Personal revelation is but one of the miracles by which our Heavenly Father blesses His children. Consider what are the greatest miracles that you can think of? Go ahead, start in the beginning. That would be the creation. Or maybe it was the creation of man and woman. Some would say the atonement or the resurrection. All the big ones. But are they over? We pray for them all the time. Do we get them? Some say so. Others are not so sure. And the Doubting Thomas’s among us think the heavens are closed. But would a loving parent create all of that without providing a way for it to be understood? And that is the miracle of personal revelation either as the Light of Christ to all mankind or as the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands when confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the writer of this blog I’m going to chime in here with my opinion. But it’s not just my opinion. It’s part of the doctrine of salvation. The title of this post are the words of Our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ as explained in the April, 2021 General Conference of the Church by Elder Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the Quorum of  The Twelve Apostles, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep9RLEJhZAc&t=32s  This is a wonderful address which you may enjoy in its entirety. But for now Elder Rasband quotes from the Book of Mormon;

“Have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God?” the prophet Mormon asks in the Book of Mormon. He answers, “Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.” 

Following the Crucifixion, an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and a few other women who had gone to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. The angel said:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?”

“He is not here: for he is risen.”

The Book of Mormon prophet Abinadi proclaimed of that miracle:

“If Christ had not risen from the dead, … there could have been no resurrection.”

Rasband continues: Miracles, signs, and wonders abound among followers of Jesus Christ today, in your lives and in mine. Miracles are divine acts, manifestations and expressions of God’s limitless power, and an affirmation that He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus Christ, who created the seas, can calm them; He who gave sight to the blind can lift our sights to heaven; He who cleansed the lepers can mend our infirmities; He who healed the impotent man can call for us to rise up with “Come, follow me.”

Many of you have witnessed miracles, more than you realize. They may seem small in comparison to Jesus raising the dead. But the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God. Some suggest that miracles are simply coincidences or sheer luck. But the prophet Nephi condemned those who would “put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain.”

Notice that in order for God to “be the same yesterday, today, and forever” the heavens must be open. There must be miracles, and angels ministering to men and women, and God speaking us. The gift of the Holy Ghost is itself a miracle. And the Spirit of Christ will speak to all who have a sincere heart and a real desire. Satan is the author of the lie that the heavens are closed and that miracles have ceased. That old devil does not want you to know. But God, your Father in Heaven does. He wants you to ask and He wants you to know. SO ASK!!

Many fail to recognize when the Lord is trying to help them with yet another miracle. We are often oblivious. My nephew who served as a Bishop in his ward (congregation) was for many years a Vice President in the legal department of a nationwide grocery chain. A new legal counsel was hired who reorganized the department. She organized him right out of a job. He was devastated. During a phone  conversation I remarked that this might be an opportunity for even bigger and better things. He choked up and accepted that rather unexpected advice. He began interviewing for other positions. After a few weeks when I had not heard from him I called asking how his job search was going. He said, “I have accepted a position. I will be the Legal Counsel for the Caribbean for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” He will have 27 nations under his legal purview, and he revealed to me that he had had a life-long desire to be involved in international legal affairs and had been unable to do so. This was a miracle in his life.

Please review the circumstances in your own lives after you have read this and perhaps listened to Elder Rasband’s talk. See if you can identify times or situations in your, or your loved one’s lives, when something happened that was fortuitous in a way that improved your situation. When the God of miracles is working there are no coincidences nor lucky chances. And if perchance you feel it is a hardship instead, remember that we mortals are here on earth prepatory to developing the character through our moral agency for a life of glory with our Heavenly Parents, and all shall be for your own good.   God loves you, you are his son or daughter. He is your Father. Love Him as He loves you.

I testify to the truthfulness of this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, AMEN!!