“God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.” (Mormon 9:15)

Recently, President Nelson has encouraged us to “Seek and expect miracles.” He did note that some “miracles took time and may not have been exactly what those individuals originally requested from the Lord.”[1] Yet, sometimes we are privileged to witness miraculous moments, something even as wonderful as Jesus calming the seas.

The Temple Wedding and The Chuppah חופה 

On a beautiful morning in mid-June, I set out with family members to attend my niece’s wedding. I had never been to the Mount Timpanogos Temple and found the building extraordinarily elegant. The cumulus clouds overhead, the light sprinkle of rain, and the serene temple setting with its beautiful late spring flowers dancing in the soft breeze created an exquisite scene to what seemed like a perfect day.

Once the sacred sealing ceremony concluded, we stepped outside greeted by additional family and friends who were ready with cameras to capture this brief, but eternal moment in time. Soon after, we left the Temple grounds and headed down the hill to the American Fork Amphitheater Park where a special ring ceremony and reception would take place.

To honor the Jewish traditions of the groom’s family, a lovely canopy – the Chuppah חופה, stood in the center of the grounds with rows of chairs waiting for loved ones to fill. Spread across an adjacent area, additional chairs and tables were situated with their simple center pieces and wares. It was quite a beautiful sight until the breeze grew bold.

“And there arose a great storm of wind . . .” (Mark 4:37)

The wind began to blow, strong gusts of wind. Although an alternate site had been chosen, it seemed far too late in the day to alter course. I could see the worry in my sister’s gaze and my niece’s eyes. So, I ran about with others trying to keep the tablecloths and decorations in place. Being focused on trying to help salvage the day, I lost track of my sister and her daughter as I continued to do what I could to keep everything from literally being swept away. And then, in a moment, the wind ceased and all seemed calm; so I headed back toward the Chuppah and took a seat.

I found myself sitting next to the groom’s grandmother and aunt. Being raised in the Washington, DC area, I grew up having many Jewish friends and knew some of their traditions. I enjoyed the conversation that ensued, taking the opportunity to ask questions about the Chuppah and other Jewish traditions. When the ceremony began, the breeze was light and carried the sound of these two beautiful people’s commitment to each other; then Mazel Tov מזל טוב! A blessing of good fortune to the new couple! The ceremony was now complete.

Soon after, I headed to the reception area and noticed many people forming a line to congratulate the new couple, their parents and grandparents. This was followed by the many usual events that take place at a wedding reception, such as sharing a meal, dancing, and the cutting of the cake. Yet, through all of these things that I did see, it was the things I didn’t see that made the event ever more memorable.

The Power of Prayer Coupled with Faith Can Bring Miracles

“And [Jesus] said to the [women], Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

Earlier in the day while I was running around trying to keep the tablecloths from being whisked away by the wind, my sister and her daughter were preparing for the ring ceremony and reception in a more reverent way. They knelt in prayer and petitioned for a miracle. As it was too late to change the venue, they desperately needed the storm that raced across the valley, to pause. Knowing other Utahns were pleading for rain to alleviate the severe drought, they did not feel right asking the storm to cease. So, they asked the Lord if He would “just hold it up in the sky for a little while”, for a small window to open up over the reception. Soon after the wind calmed and not even a sprinkle of rain was felt.

Later, while standing in the reception line, as people came one by one through the line, many of the comments began with, “We were late, because we first went to the Church building due to the storm.” Then referred to the “bubble” that seemed to surround the park.

“And [Jesus] arose, and rebuked the wind, and said . . . Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

As the events of the day continued, the Groom’s father told my sister and her husband that he needed to show them something. He led them up to the top of the Amphitheater area which gave an opened view of the valley’s sky. They were amazed to see a great storm in every direction where flashes of lightening lit the sky revealing swirling sheets of rain as it poured down! No question remained whether their prayers had been answered. They believed their prayers had been answered, but did not understand to what extent until they witnessed this miracle.

I wonder how often I have missed miracles, even while experiencing them, because I just couldn’t perceive they were happening all around me. Although I was there and did not understand what I was seeing or witnessing, I do remember as the last items were loaded, it seemed as if the skies opened and the rain began to pour down. How lucky we were, I thought, to have eluded the storm.

“In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, ‘doubting nothing.’ Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ ‘giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum.” April Conference 202

[1] Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum.” April Conference 2022.