Miracles Then and Now

Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three to five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post is part one. This post focuses on October 1992 General Conference talk and it is called, "Miracles, Then and Now" by Thomas S. Monson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

Brother Thomas S. Monson mentioned the following, ".. In our lives, sickness comes to loved ones, accidents leave their cruel marks of remembrance, and tiny legs that once ran are imprisoned in a wheelchair.

Mothers and fathers who anxiously await the arrival of a precious child sometimes learn that all is not well with this tiny infant. A missing limb, sightless eyes, a damaged brain, or the term “Down’s syndrome” greets the parents, leaving them baffled, filled with sorrow, and reaching out for hope.

There follows the inevitable blaming of oneself, the condemnation of a careless action, and the perennial questions: “Why such a tragedy in our family?” “Why didn’t I keep her home?” “If only he hadn’t gone to that party.” “How did this happen?” “Where was God?” “Where was a protecting angel?” If, why, where, how those recurring words do not bring back the lost son, the perfect body, the plans of parents, or the dreams of youth. Self-pity, personal withdrawal, or deep despair will not bring the peace, the assurance, or help which are needed. Rather, we must go forward, look upward, move onward, and rise heavenward.

It is imperative that we recognize that whatever has happened to us has happened to others. They have coped and so must we. We are not alone. Heavenly Father’s help is near.

"Believe in miracles. .... Hope is never lost." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

Perhaps no other has been so afflicted as the man Job, who was described as “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1.) He prospered by every measurement. In other words, he had it all made. Then came the loss of literally everything: his wealth, his family, his health. ...

To all who have suffered silently from sickness, to you who have cared for those with physical or mental impairment, who have borne a heavy burden day by day, year by year, and to you noble mothers and dedicated fathers - I salute you and pray God’s blessings to ever attend you. To the children, particularly they who cannot run and play and frolic, come the reassuring words: “Dearest children, God is near you, Watching o’er you day and night.” (Hymns, 1985, no. 96.)

Count Your Blessings: Hymn. "... When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. …

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."

To any who from anguish of heart and sadness of soul have silently asked, “Heavenly Father, are you really there? … Do you hear and answer every … prayer?” (Children’s Songbook, no. 12), I bear to you my witness that He is there. He does hear and answer every prayer. .."

If you would like to read the whole talk in your own time or now, here is the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1992/11/miracles-then-and-now

Stay Tuned until next time.