I Believe in Miracles

To witness a miracle, one must first understand what a miracle is.  A miracle can be described as something inexplicable by means of our current logical and scientific law.  Something that doesn't fit a pattern.  An occurrence that goes against what common knowledge would tell you is so.

Astronomically speaking, our existence is a miracle.  To fit into "The Goldilocks Zone"-or qualifications for a planet to sustain life-is so statistically impossible, it's unfathomable how our universe, galaxy, solar system, and earth all combined so perfectly that they just fell into place.  Noah predicted the flood that would wipe out all people except they repent.  Abraham and his wife had children beyond an age most people today would even be alive.  Moses parted the red sea, set up the serpent on the staff, and spoke with God where he was shown the expanse of God's creations.  David opposed all odds and defeated Goliath the giant Philistine.  Daniel was preserved after being thrown into a pit of lions for persistently praying to his father in heaven.  Jesus Christ was born to a virgin and lived a perfect life.  During his ministry, Jesus ruffled feathers, chastised the wicked, healed the sick, and taught the faithful.  His miracles are continually spoken of today and the Christian world points to them as a source of belief, or as a proof of his divine power.

Why, then, have miracles stopped?  Why are Christian churches preaching  their testimony of the lack of miracles?  Why are they professing their absence of revelation?  

"And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.  Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." (Mormon (9:20-21)

Let me tell you this, if you think miracles and revelation are no more, it's because you lack the faith.

Joseph Smith, a 14 year-old boy saw a vision of God and Jesus Christ.  He went on to translate an ancient record and establish Christ's church at about the same age I am now.  He performed miracles including healing the sick and receiving revelation.  That church, started by a young man has become a global church, talked about by many people.  The missionary force is a miracle.  I don't know any church that relies on teenagers and young adults to run its proselyting force.  On top of that, I don't know any other institution that can teach it's clients to become fluent in another language in less than 18 months.  

To those that testify that miracles are no more, I am a living witness that they still are!  It's a miracle that those around me haven't already strangled me.  I also can testify that I have and do receive revelation for myself and for those I am called to watch over.  I was guided by my savior as a missionary in Japan.  I was led to those who need the message I carried.  I was blessed to miraculously develop the ability to speak Japanese.  My service continues to manifest itself as a miracle as I find jobs because of my service and I see how much I changed because of my time and dedication.  

If you want to see more miracles, Joseph Smith gives the formula in his Lectures on Faith. 

1. You need the idea that he actually exists.

2. You need a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.

3. You need a knowledge that your actions are in line with God's will (i.e. faith in yourself)

Be it the Old Testament, Christ's ministry, the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or our lives today, faith precedes the miracle.  Anyone who requires a miracle for conversion will require a miracle to stay converted.  But those who align their will and actions with God's will see the miracles because their faith will open their eyes and give them power to oppose the odds and ignore the "law".

Standing in Holy Places

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved..." (D&C 87:8)

Holy places include, but are not limited to the standard answers any given person on the street would think of.  A holy place is a location where you are not only safe to exercise what you believe, but are encouraged to do so.  Temples, churches, and other places of worship are obviously perfect examples of holy places.  Other holy places that we are familiar with, but may not have thought as holy places include our places of residence.  If your home can't be considered a holy place, perhaps there's something you can do about that...  One specifically I've had the privilege of experiencing are LDS Institutes of Religion, including Seminary for high school students.  When in high school, I attended seminary at 10 minutes to 6 every morning.  I didn't necessarily have such a firm dedication to seminary at the beginning, but I was never late to 1st period, so I didn't really complain.  But, my junior year, we were studying the New Testament, and I was so moved as we spoke of Jesus Christ every morning and all the miraculous things he did.  Then, my last year, we studied the Book of Mormon, and that piqued my interest, sparking a fire that grew almost uncontrollable on my mission.  I loved the Book of Mormon.  I loved the days I could just spend an hour reading it.

Since returning from Japan, I don't have quite as much time to dedicate to pouring over the scriptures as I used to.  However, I can still attend Institute.  I don't always agree with the instructors' teaching methods, or even how they present the material.  I have found that if I prepare myself and seek each lesson to learn something, I am guided to answers for my questions or new concepts I hadn't necessarily thought of.  One day in Institute, my teacher said that revelation was simply the product of meditation, scripture study, and prayer.  The mathematician in my brain kicked in, and I spent the next 10 minutes of class developing an equation to quantify revelation.  I've received sincere revelation as to what I need to do to change and become a better person.

For me, Institute has been my holy place I can stand when I'm not at church.  During the week, I spend so much time on homework and classes, that I have a hard time taking time away to read my scriptures.  Even when I do, it's never really a "quiet" place.  Stresses are still present.  Other influences still find their way in...unfortunately.  Institute, however, has always been different.  When I actually sign up for the class, I take that as dedicating myself to attend.  I take the time out of my schedule to go to institute and then when I'm there, everything else disappears.  I still have heaps of homework, but it doesn't seem as ominous.  I still have stress, but it isn't at the forefront of my mind.  Honestly, without the opportunity to go to that Holy Place, I would go insane.  We can make wherever we are a holy place by doing what we know is right.  But when we're too exhausted to hold our walls up against sin, we need help.  And that's exactly what Institute has offered me.