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TheDiscipleMD

“Faith furnishes prayer with wings,

without which it cannot soar to Heaven.”

-St. John Climacus (525-600)

I think one of the most interesting stories found in the New Testament is of the man who was born blind and then healed by the Savior. When the Pharisees hear of the miraculous healing, they desperately want to explain it away. The former blind man is brought to them and they begin to question him:

“They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him” ( John 9: 17-23).

I am amused by the Jews in their efforts to excuse away the miracle. They put pressure on the parents, enough so that the parents, on the threat of being “ostracized” by the community, tell the Jews that all they know is he was born blind. How he got his sight is a mystery to them. They don’t want to be thrown out of the synagogue so they pass the responsibility of the story onto the son by saying that he is “legally” old enough, ask him. The Jews again pressure the blind man.

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see”. (vs 24-25).Unable to pressure the man to deny the reality of Jesus’ miracle, they revile him and “cast him out”. (vs. 34)

This story is similar to what so many try to do to explain away the story of the First Vision, The Book of Mormon, and the prophet Joseph Smith. Instead of giving serious consideration to the story presented, they dig, dig, and dig to discredit the source. They attempt to “shoot the messenger” as if it will change its truthfulness. They didn’t discredit the Savior, and they have not discredited Joseph Smith. Their stories go forth on the “wings” of faith and truth. Yes, they did kill the Savior and the prophet and “cast them out.” The messengers were shot but the message is overtaking the world.

My personal experience with the restored gospel is that its fruits are wonderful. Why would I want to deny it.  Its doctrines have taught me nothing but the glories of the plan of salvation and to worship the author of it, Jesus Christ.  I feel the same as the blind man felt about Christ when I am questioned about how I feel about the restored gospel.  Enemies can criticize it all they want, pointing out problems with its history, founder, or doctrines.  I say, “Whether it be perfect, I know not: one thing I do know is, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”