Brother Chris Herring, The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Mexico Ward
Miracles are the manifestation of God’s presence, power and love for us. Miracles are often in response to prayful requests for divine help, or as in the New Testament, miracles were used to convince others of Jesus’ role as the Son of God and Messiah.
Jesus performed many miracles such as: Feeding the five thousand (Mark 6:34-44), Healing lepers (Luke 17:11-19), Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:14-44), Casting out devils,(Mark 9:14-27) Calming the seas (Mark 4: 35-41) to name just a few.
Jesus’ greatest miracle was overcoming sin and death through His Atonement and Resurrection so we could be saved, and have an opportunity to live together forever with our family in His kingdom.
Jesus’s Apostles were also given the priesthood to perform miracles such as healing the sick and afflicted. “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:” (James 5:14)
The Lord has also restored his Church and brought back this priesthood to administer blessings and other ordinances for our day. Through the years I have done and received these. Some got the desired miracle, some did not.
I have learned that receiving a miracle is dependent upon three things: First: The faith of the one giving the blessing. Second: The faith of the person/family receiving the blessing and Third: The Lord’s will.
I believe what the Bible says: “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)- but it must be the Lord’s desire or plan for them.
“ And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.
For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard