Miracles
Mormon Beliefs: Miracles
Mormon doctrine holds that miracles have occurred on earth as long as there has been a people who fear and serve God. Miracles follow faith. Where miracles have ceased, faith has already disappeared.
Miracles embrace all those events which are beyond the power of any presently known physical power to produce. They are occurrences which deviate from the known laws of nature and which transcend our knowledge of those laws….But in the gospel sense, miracles are those occurrences wrought by the power of God which are wholly beyond the power of man to perform. Produced by a supernatural power, they are marvels, wonders, and signs…(Bruce R. McConkie, Gospel Doctrine, 2nd Ed. p. 506).
The gifts of the Spirit are fully present in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Miracles are always performed among people who have faith and true priesthood authority. They are common in the Church in all their variety.
For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk (Doctrine and Covenants 35:8-9).
Those churches that claim that miracles have ceased do not have claim to priesthood authority or spiritual gifts:
They deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men; Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work (2 Nephi 28:5-6).
Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost! Yea, and wo unto him that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ; for he that doeth this shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ (3 Nephi 29:6-7)!
Do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles…
And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles (Mormon 9:9-20).
Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? 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 (Moroni 7:28-38).
“Now, such miracles have always been a witness of His church on the earth, and they’re known among us—I could say even common among us—but they’re not often talked about. We regard them with humility and with unmeasured reverence.” [1]
October 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
JP — Thanks for your question. All of the charismatic gifts are present in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and miracles are very common. They are so common, that they are part of Mormon life and worship. These miracles, especially healing, are part of our personal journey and not meant for special gatherings, occasions, or public events. There is no such thing in the Church as a revival meeting in which people are invited up to be healed in front of the congregation. The Lord’s house is a house of order, and He has bestowed His authority and power upon holders of the Priesthood. This priesthood is not a hired or professional one, but is bestowed on worthy males of sufficient age (age 12 for the lower priesthood, and age 18 for the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood). Thus, most husbands, fathers, and missionaries have power and authority to heal when God wills it. The Prophet of the Church and the Apostles hold all the “keys” for administering the priesthood power, and they have access to the power to do all the miracles known in New Testament times. Again, these are not for showmanship. Few people are converted by signs and miracles. Instead, miracles follow faith. Most healing miracles in the Church occur within the walls of our homes or in hospitals.
June 21st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Thanks, James. Try http://www.mormonwiki.com/Miracles
All of the spiritual gifts are found in the Mormon Church, restored with the authority to invoke the power of Christ, so miracles are common in the Church, richly blessing the lives of its members.
You might also want to visit the following website: http://www.mormon.org
November 11th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Please provide proof you have the power of the priesthood, I am pagan and have seen no evidence to support your claim.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Mormons witness the power of the priesthood on a daily basis. You are welcome to visit a Mormon congregation and watch the priesthood in action. While you are there, ask any family to tell you a personal story about priesthood power and what it’s meant to them.