Cover image: “From Fear to Faith” by Howard Lyon via Gospel Media Library. 

President Russell M. Nelson in his April 2021 general conference address advised, “Learn about miracles.”[1] Wanting to know details of the miracles of Jesus, not just a broad brushstroke that affirmed my testimony, I studied the Savior’s miracles. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are thirty-eight miracles of Jesus written in narrative detail. These miracles have been the subject of theologians, academics, and Church leaders for centuries. In studying their works with the Gospels, I have discovered the miracles of Jesus fall into seven categories:

  • Jesus heals the afflicted
  • Jesus casts out evil spirits and demons
  • Jesus raises the dead
  • Jesus commands the elements of nature
  • Jesus provides food for the multitudes
  • Jesus passes unseen
  • Jesus achieves universal miracles

Of these categories, six show an immediate impact, such as healing a blind man, turning water into wine, walking on the raging sea, and providing food for thousands. But notice, not all the sick and afflicted were healed near the Pool of Bethesda, not all water was turned to wine, not all storms raging on the Sea of Galilee were calmed, and not everyone who died was raised up from the dead. In each recorded miracle, the natural sequence of events was altered by the merciful power of Jesus to protect, heal, and relieve suffering. Each miracle showed in a very personal way an all-powerful merciful God.

There was one category in the study of Jesus’ miracles that extended beyond the meridian of time. It was the atonement where Jesus took upon Himself the sorrow, suffering, and sin of all mankind from the days of Adam to the end of time. This was followed by the resurrection when He arose from the grave to conquer death so that all may live again.

“Have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven?” My answer, and that of my friends, mirrors Mormon’s reply, “Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.” The mighty miracles are a continual reminder to us of God’s love.

Sherilee Wilson, owner of Wilson Audio Specialties, knows with certainty that in 1984 when she was driving a Dodge van at night through a lonely strip of desert in Nevada, a distinct impression came to her—“What would you do if you got a flat tire?” She thought of different strategies, such as not breaking, slowing down, moving to the side without a jerking motion, and so forth. Sherilee recalled, “Within seconds, I had a flat tire. Instead of panicking, I calmly moved through the steps I had just rehearsed.” Matthew Hyde, assistant director of For the Strength of Youth Program at BYU, also recognized a miraculous impression: “My wife and I dated over the phone. We talked about everything and fell deeply in love. However, when we traveled to meet each other, it was tricky. I got ‘cold feet’ when it came to talking about marriage. We broke up. Four months later, I had the simplest, purest thought—‘I love her and should ask her to marry me.’ I saw in my mind the ring that I would buy for her. She said, ‘Yes!’” For Mary Ann Andrus, a mother of ten children, when her twelve-year-old daughter made poor choices, she prayed for a miracle. Mary Ann said, “Miraculously, my daughter recognized that she was on the wrong path. She currently serves in a stake Primary presidency.”

None of these friends or others think their personal experience was anything but a miracle. Each was blessed with miracles great and small, much like the miracles in the days of Jesus. Jesus heard petitions of the blind, the lame, and of His mother, who wanted to quench the momentary thirst of wedding guests in Cana. No petition was too small for Jesus. President Russell M. Nelson’s admonition in April 2021, “Learn about miracles,” was not an idle request nor is the counsel to reflect on the miracles the Savior has wrought in your life.[2]

In His Mighty Miracles discover not only details of the thirty-eight miracles from the life of Jesus Christ, but also miracles in the lives of my friends. Are there other miracles we desire? Yes, but can we be content to wait upon the Lord? Remember, God sends miracles when we least expect. We need only to notice.

Are there other miracles we desire? Yes, but can we be content to wait upon the Lord? Like Elaine S. Marshall, a former dean of the College of Nursing at BYU, there are sorrows that still need to be washed away and deceptive cruelty to be resolved. But Elaine remembers as do I, “God sends miracles when we least expect. We need only to notice.”

[1] President Russell M. Nelson, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021.

[2] President Russell M. Nelson, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Ensign, May 2021.