A God of Miracles (Real Mormon/LDS)

LDS.org ^ | Sister Sydney S. Reynolds

[Paragon Defender]

A God of Miracles

 

 

 

Sydney S. Reynolds

First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

Sydney S. Reynolds, "A God of Miracles", Ensign, May 2001, 12

 

 

I believe that all of us can bear witness to these small miracles.

 

 

With Moroni of old, I believe in a God of miracles. Moroni wrote to the people of our dispensation, “Behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, … and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are” (Morm. 9:11). Moroni proclaimed that Jesus Christ did many mighty miracles, that many mighty miracles were wrought by the hands of the Apostles, and that a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever must be a God of miracles today (see Morm. 9:18; Morm. 9:9).

Think of the miracles of the Old Testament. Remember Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. For all future generations of Israelites, the great miracles that led to their deliverance from Egypt provided undeniable proof of God’s existence and His love for them.

Many Book of Mormon prophets, including Nephi, pointed to the story of Moses to encourage faith and belief in a God who could deliver His people in their distress (see 1 Ne. 4:1–3). Other Book of Mormon prophets reminded the people that they themselves had witnessed miracles that should convince them of God’s power.

In the New Testament, the Apostle John shared his reason for recording many of the Savior’s miracles—namely, “that [we] might believe that Jesus is the Christ” (John 20:31).

In this dispensation we witness the great miracle of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. It began when a young boy entered a grove of trees near Palmyra, New York, and poured out his heart and his questions to a God he believed could answer him—the God of miracles. And miracles have followed in this dispensation—mighty miracles—including the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, which is itself another testament of Jesus Christ.

Just as important as these “mighty miracles” are the smaller “private miracles” that teach each of us to have faith in the Lord. These come as we recognize and heed the promptings of the Spirit in our lives.

I am grateful for a teacher who encouraged his students to keep a journal of the whisperings or promptings of the Spirit in their lives. He directed us to note what we felt and what resulted. Little things became evident. One day I was frantically trying to complete some assignments and prepare for a trip. I had just been down to the laundry area of the dorm to move my clothes from the washer to the dryer. Unfortunately, all the dryers were in use, and they all had many minutes to go. I went back upstairs discouraged, knowing by the time those dryers finished, I had to be on the road. I had barely returned to my room when I felt prompted to go back downstairs and check the laundry again. Foolishness, I thought—I had just been there, and I didn’t have time. But because I was trying to listen, I went. Two of the dryers were empty—and I was able to meet all my commitments. Could the Lord possibly have been concerned about smoothing my way in such a small but, to me, important matter? I have learned since through many such experiences that the Lord will help us in every aspect of our lives when we are trying to serve Him and do His will.

I believe that all of us can bear witness to these small miracles. We know children who pray for help to find a lost item and find it. We know of young people who gather the courage to stand as a witness of God and feel His sustaining hand. We know friends who pay their tithing with the last of their money and then, through a miracle, find themselves able to pay their tuition or their rent or somehow obtain food for their family. We can share experiences of prayers answered and priesthood blessings that gave courage, brought comfort, or restored health. These daily miracles acquaint us with the hand of the Lord in our lives.

My mind has been much on this topic because of an experience our family has had in the last few months. Our daughter and her husband took a while to find each other and then, though they wanted children with all their hearts, over a number of years had difficulty realizing that dream. They prayed and they sought priesthood blessings and medical help, and eventually were thrilled to learn they were expecting twins.

Things did not go smoothly, however, and three and a half months before the babies were due to arrive, the mother-to-be found herself in the labor and delivery section of the hospital. The doctors at first were hopeful that they could stop the labor for a few more weeks. Quickly, however, the question became, would they even have the 48 hours necessary for medication to prepare the babies’ immature lungs to function?

A nurse came in from the newborn intensive care unit to show the couple pictures of the machines the babies would be hooked up to if they were born alive. She explained the risks for eye damage, for lung collapse, for physical impairment, for brain damage. The couple listened, humbled yet hopeful, and then, despite all the doctors could do, it was obvious that these babies were coming.

They were born alive. First the baby girl and then the baby boy—weighing less than four pounds together—were rushed to the intensive care unit and put on ventilators, with umbilical tubes and intravenous lines and constant attention. They can’t have too much light, they can’t have too much noise, their chemical balances need constant monitoring, as the hospital, with millions of dollars of equipment and many wonderful doctors and nurses, attempted to replicate the miracle of a mother’s womb.

There are multitudes of little miracles every day: a collapsed lung heals and then, despite the odds, continues to function properly; pneumonia is beaten back; more deadly infections invade and are overcome; IV lines go bad and are replaced. After two and a half months, the baby boy has gained two pounds and can breathe with an oxygen supplement. His ventilator is gone, he learns to eat, and his grateful parents take him home with monitors attached.

The baby girl keeps pulling her ventilator tube out, setting off alarms across the nursery. Maybe she wants to keep up with her brother, we think, but her throat closes off each time, and she just can’t breathe on her own. Her throat is so inflamed that at times the respiratory therapists have great difficulty reinserting the tube, and she almost dies. Her normal progress is stymied by her continued dependence on the ventilator.

Finally, after her baby brother has been home for two months, the doctors feel they are forced to suggest surgery for her—a surgery that will allow her to breathe by opening a hole in her throat, a surgery that might solve the stomach problems by opening a hole in her side, but a surgery that will impact her little body for many more months and maybe for the rest of her life. As the parents wrestled with this decision, a beloved aunt sent a message to all the family. She explained the situation—the critical issue of timing, the importance of getting off the ventilator—and suggested that we join our faith once again, and in prayer and fasting ask for one more miracle—if it was the Lord’s will. We would culminate our fast with a prayer the evening of December 3.

Let me read from a letter that was sent to the family the morning of December 4. “Dearest Family, Wonderful news! Blessings from the Lord. Our heartfelt thanks for your prayers and fasting in behalf of our little girl. Yesterday morning she came off the ventilator and has been off for 24 hours at this writing. To us, it is a miracle. The medical staff are still guarded about predicting the future, but we are so grateful to the Lord and to you. We are praying that this will mark the beginning of the end of her hospital stay. And we even dare to hope that she’ll be home for Christmas.”

She did make it home for Christmas, and both babies are currently doing “just fine.” Our family has had its own “parting of the Red Sea,” and we are prepared to testify that there is today, as there was yesterday and will be forever, a “God of miracles” who loves His children and desires to bless them.

Now, we know, as you do, that all petitions to the Lord and all fasts do not receive this same hoped-for answer. Our extended family also has faced the death of loved ones, serious illness, the trial of divorce, and children who are choosing another path. We do not always understand the reasons behind the tests that come with mortality. But our faith has grown, and perhaps yours has too, as we have watched loved ones, friends, and people we know only by reputation endure with faith in the Lord the most severe trials. They, too, know the God of miracles and witness in their extremity that whatever the future holds for them, the Lord knows them and loves them and is blessing them. They are sealed to Him and to each other forever, and they are willing to submit their wills to His.

How have they come to such a point? How do we access the quiet miracle that the Lord works as He transforms us, His children, into worthy heirs of the kingdom of God? I believe it is made possible because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). I believe it comes as we yield to the enticings of the Spirit, put off the natural man, and are filled with the love of God (see Mosiah 3:19). “Through the Atonement of [Jesus] Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (A of F 1:3). All mankind—that includes me, that includes you—we can each have part in the Atonement, the greatest of all God’s miracles.

God did part the Red Sea, and He did give us the Book of Mormon. He can heal us of our sins, and He can and will bless us, His children, in our daily lives. I know that He lives and loves us and is today a God of miracles, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

 

"Go look it up yourself." is not an answer.

 

Acts 8:27-39 NIV 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:    “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,    so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.    Who can speak of his descendants?    For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]  34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.  36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] [c] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:27-39 (PD Version, ©2010) 27 So he logged on to FR, and on his way he met a Potential Investigator, a Noobie in need of Salvation (which means “Living forever in the Presence of GOD”). This person had gone to FreeRepublic to learn, 28 and while he was reading threads; he was also sitting in his computer chair reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The spirit told PD, “Reply to that person and stay in the conversation.”  30 Then PD replied to the Noobie and asked. “Do you understand what you are reading?”  31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So PD invited himself to continue to chat with him.  32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:    “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,    so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.    Who can speak of his descendants?    For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]  34 The Noobie asked PD, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then PD fumbled with that very passage of Scripture and was unable to tell him the Good News about Jesus; but explained that it COULD be found in the Book of MORMON and OTHER non-official sources.  36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the Noobie said, “Look, I've asked all kinds of questions; but you seem to be unable to answer even just ONE of them.   37 Why are the ANTI-mormons (as you lovingly call them) so much better at supplying answers?"   38 "They are hateful bigots; only capable of spewing regurgitated LDS teachings.  Pay them no mind.  Seek for yourself the TRUTH in the OTHER books I've refered to."   39  Discouraged by the VAST amount of information that had to be sifted thru; the PI went away in a hopeless mood.

 

[Elsie]

Lets try again:

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(Don't get stuck!)

[svcw]

There are people on the sun, dontcha know

- The Sun is a celestialized world, where its inhabitants are perfected. The Prophet Brigham Young taught in General Conference:
“So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is.
Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized.”
See Journal of Discourses, 13:271. Also see Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 88: “Earth to be Celestialized Sun”

[svcw]

Yea, I can see that very clearly: exposing mormonISM and blowing up buildings, killing people - yep just the same.

I have an idea ask lds why they are partnering with islamic fascist, been going on for years.

[svcw]

Speaking of white skin:
- When Native Americans become Mormons, their skin turns white. The Prophet Spencer W. Kimball taught the principle of this process in a General Conference address.
He stated how the “Indians are fast becoming a white and delightsome people.”
He said, “The [Indian] children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the reservation... These young [Indian] members of the Church are changing to whiteness and to delightsomeness.
One white elder jokingly said that he and his companion were donating blood regularly to the hospital in the hope that the process might be accelerated.”
LDS General Conference, October 1960, Spencer W. Kimball, (Improvement Era, December 1960, pp. 922-3).
Original Mormon prophesy of this effect in 2 Nephi 30:6

[ejonesie22]

Wow, an otherwise seemingly brilliant person making an ignorant and totally unsubstantiated statement...

[ejonesie22]

Well it kinda goes without saying that Mormon are a bit weak in Astrophysics...

And Archeology...

Genetics...

Reality...

[ejonesie22]

PD, I really appreciate your exchange with FOF. It was the clearest sign example of your empty hand.

A poster who is not an known Anti Mormon asks a simple and direct question, wants you as a practitioner of the faith to explain it to them, something anyone with the courage of their convictions and a true and real knowledge of their faith would gladly do and you not only refuse to answer and send him on a lengthy journey to answer an simple question you could and should answer, but when he ask again you IMMEDITLY begin your smoke and mirrors “if you want to know the truth game” over a simple honest and direct inquiry and heap them in with all those who disagree with you?

Is this the best you can do to witness for your faith? Is sending people into a goose chase of hundreds of pages of documentation over a simple question what an honest, faithful and knowledgeable believer would do?

No, of course not...

But that is exactly what YOU do...

And we appreciate it.

[Elsie]

PD, I really appreciate your exchange with FOF.

FoF; if you want answers from MORMON writings, just let us ANTIs know.

We have YEARS of expertise in these areas.

If there are ANY MORMONs reading this, that do NOT agree that the answers we supply are TRUTHFULL and AUTHENTIC; then they are as FREE as we are to post their OWN answers.

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As they say in the ring - May the best man win.

[Elsie]

Speaking of miracles...

This is how SCIENTOLOGY started: http://www.quantumjumping.com/lp/subconscious?sr=1&gclid=CKPAndDC-6YCFULNKgod_BmiCA

[Elsie]

Speaking of miracles...

This is how SCIENTOLOGY started: http://www.quantumjumping.com/lp/subconscious?sr=1&gclid=CKPAndDC-6YCFULNKgod_BmiCA

[Elsie]

At least as seen on OPRAH®

[ejonesie22]

As they say in the ring - May the best man win.

He did, 2000 years ago...

Sadly there are those, like the Mormons, still fighting him and his Truth today...

Despite "it is finished"... ;-)

[Elsie]

 

 

 

shoot me now!

[FatherofFive]

Thank you for your very succinct summary. Sometimes when I write I feel my meaning could be missed, but you nailed it. It seems like a simple question, asked politely, using only Mormon writings.

I have asked this question many times, but seldom get a response.

Actually, the most plausible response I received was from a guy who said there were multiple eternities. When a man becomes a new god, his new eternity starts at that point. Sort of like the “Big Bang” – just as we don’t know what happened before the bang, anything before this new eternity doesn't matter. When I got this answer, I called the Mormon answer line. I asked them how many ‘eternities’ existed in Mormon theology. He replied one – no multiple eternities. When I expanded the question, I was passed on to his superior, and accused of Mormon bashing.

Never got an answer.

[MHGinTN]

Do word search in The Bible on the term ‘mill stone’ or ‘millstone’, New Testament. Jesus has something to say to you, specifically.

[MHGinTN]

Mormonism is a religion of duplicity. Don't expect PD to answer you truthfully whne she/he/it can lie for the lord of Mormonism. Here's what Brcue McConkie had to say reagrding the god of Mormonism gaining the attributes of godhood through the life as a mere mortal on some distant in time and space planet:

>"Those who gain exaltation, having thus enjoyed the fullness of eternal progression, become like God." It should be realized that God is not progressing in knowledge, truth, virtue, wisdom, or any of the attributes of godliness. He has already gained these things in their fullness. But he is progressing in the sense that his creations increase, his dominions expand, his spirit offspring multiply, and more kingdoms are added to his domains. (Elder Bruce McConkie, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 5-10.)

Without blasphemies from Joe Smitha nd LDS inc there could not be a Mormonism. But then that is the way of all cults.

[SZonian]

“Become like God”???

Obviously, that teaching is already evil, the lure the serpent used in the Garden to tempt Eve.

But it’s not the whole “truth”...

Had a mormon in a high position tell me recently that his temporal/eternal progression includes ruling over his own dominion [planet, galaxy, whatever] as a god.

Reminded me of the primary reason why I quit mormonism.

[MHGinTN]

During a lucheon conversation Monday, with my Mormon retired doctor friend, he would not answer any of my questions where I exposed a duplicity in Mormonism. Later the same day I got two e-mails from him which urged me to seek the power of love, and to just be happy and don’t be eternally questioning and never coming to a knowledge of The Father in Heaven. This supposed melchizedek high priest has never read the Journal of Discourses, according to what he said to me denying to even know how to access them on the Net. My response was that I have seen this same form of lying for the lord from other Momrons who will not allow their minds to confront any of the blasphemies in Mormonism.

[Paragon Defender]

As I have stated before, I am not getting into any arguments with anti-Mormon propagandists on this site. There is certainly no shortage of them just itching to pointlessly argue forever and ever. I give you the source to find the truth. EASILY find the truth.

Your weak attempt at getting people to not look by calling it a goose chase is sad. I ask interested parties to read both sides and make up their own minds.

Why does that scare you? Afraid they will figure out the truth?