Faith In Miracles Is Worth A Try

TheDiscipleMD

Many years ago one of my sons, than eleven, calmly approached me to ask if I would buy him an expensive item that was more a luxury than a necessity. My quick response of “No” didn’t seem to surprise nor upset him. As he turned to walk away, he made this simple but profound statement, “Well, it was worth a try!” I laughed to myself, as it was apparent that he thought his chance of success was very limited at best, yet he still had exercised his hope.

This life consists of trials and tribulations. They fit into three categories. One) – those we have passed through, two) – those we are going through, and three) – those we will go through. While so doing, let me suggest to you something that is far more “worth a try” than my young son’s desire for material things. It is found in the seventh chapter of Moroni: which states:

” … have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God….Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men… And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me… And now…if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?…Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain…” (vs. 27, 35-37)

The words of Mormon, written by his son Moroni, remind us that the day of miracles has not ceased. It is only when we have no faith or belief in miracles that they are lost. If we keep the faith, Mormon explains that our faith will bring hope, and hope will bring charity. Faith, hope and charity come to those who are meek and humble followers of Christ. Indeed, an indication of our faithfulness is not whether we have trials; it is how we weather the trials. Oft times the miracle of our trials is that we come out on the other end of our tribulation changed for the better.  Our countenance has improved because we have developed the gift of charity in our personage. Our faith in God is much stronger than before the tribulation. Miracles haven’t ceased! But sometimes the miracle we want is not the miracle we get! No, sometimes the miracle we receive is much greater than the one we ask for. The miracle of a soft heart and a contrite spirit is a much greater gift than anything our Father could bestow upon us.  Many call that the gift of charity which is promised to those that endure! Paul wrote to the Corinthians and called charity one of God’s greatest gifts. (1 Cor. 13:13)

Moroni, Chapter Seven is one of the most spirituality powerful chapters in the entire Book of Mormon. It is as powerful a sermon, given by Mormon, as any address given in a General Conference. Having served as a priesthood leader for decades, I have been privy to stories told by the saints of both great and small miracles that have come into their lives.  Sometimes those miracles are direct and easily seen. Sometimes they are more subtle and occasionally they show up in a different form than anticipated. And I can personally testify that in some of my darkest hours, the seventh chapter of Moroni has been of great strength and comfort to me. Sometimes I have prayed for the removal of a burden that never came, yet the Lord has sustained me and supported me such that I am a much better man today because of it.  Once when I received a prominent priesthood call to serve, a sister who knew me when I was younger said, “Boy, you have come a long way!” In her own way I think she was trying to pay me a compliment.  I took it as such.  I had come a long way but mostly because I had been through some tough times. The refiners fine does have a tendency to make us better people.

May the Lord give us the faith to become partakers of His miracles and the wisdom to be able to recognize them in our lives! May we sum up the courage to have real faith in the promises of the Lord. Having faith in miracles is “worth a try!” I believe, with all my heart, that the day of miracles is not dead!

 

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