Miracles

“For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith” (2 Nephi 27:23). I quote this verse of scripture because I’ve been thinking a lot about miracles lately. It used to be that when I heard that word, miracle, I immediately thought about sightless eyes being able to see or lame legs made strong. In other words, I thought about physical impossibilities changed into possibilities. Those kinds of miracles seem so incredible and yet I’ve never had trouble believing in them. I’ve seen some. I’ve experienced some. I know they can happen.


But lately I’ve realized that there are miracles far greater than blind eyes seeing that while being greater are at the same time more possible.  Those are the miracles of the heart, the miracles that change carnal people into saints, the miracles that make mortal beings into righteous Christ-like beings. Those are the most important and the greatest miracles of all and those are the miracles that every one of us need. But most important, those are the kind of miracles the Savior most often offers. Not all the blind who want to see will be made to see in this life, but ALL the carnal who want to be righteous will receive the miracle of change and be made saints.

A change of heart is a miracle that everyone who wants it and seeks after it will obtain. So why do I sometimes doubt that I can change? Why do I sometimes think others can't change? That is faulty thinking. We can change because there is someone who has the power to change us, if we seek after Him.

Our Mentor, The Holy Ghost

The final principle we need to learn, exemplify, and minister is "How to yield to the influence of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost has not yet received a physical body. He is a personage of spirit and a member of the Godhead. His job is to testify of the Father and the Son and guide, comfort, and sanctify us. The Light of Christ is given to all people to prompt them as to what is right and wrong, but the gift of the Holy Ghost is only given to those who are baptized and confirmed. The gift of the Holy Ghost entitles one to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost whenever one is worthy. When the Holy Ghost is with us, he changes us from natural, carnal people to spiritual, holy people. As Parley P. Pratt once explained the Holy Ghost, "expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. . .It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." (Key to the Science of Theology, pp. 96-97)
It is easy to tell when the Holy Ghost is with you because negative emotions diminish. You don’t feel envy, jealousy, hatred, ill-will, discouragement or harbor desires to hurt anyone or to lie, steal, cheat, or do anything wrong. The adversary may tempt you with such thoughts, but if the Spirit is with you, you quickly dismiss negative thoughts and entertain only that which is good.
The mistake we often make, however, if that sometimes we tend to think that when the Holy Ghost is with us everything will be rosy and wonderful. But often the Holy Ghost pushes us out of our comfort zone and into new realms where we can grow into better people. If we trust in the Spirit to lead and change us, we will experience some stress, but it will always lead to being a better person. If we resist the Spirit, he leaves us and we are left to our own resources to survive in this world. The Spirit will guide us to overcome all negative traits, but we have to yield to his promptings in order to experience the mighty change.