Mormon 9:7–27

“A God of Miracles”

Christ healing a blind man

Sometimes when reading about the miracles in the scriptures, we may wonder why we don’t have similar miracles in our day. Moroni knew that some people would have this question in the last days. This lesson can help you understand how having faith in God can allow Him to perform miracles in your life.

Build faith in Jesus Christ. Studying the scriptures can help students come to know Jesus Christ. Encourage them to draw near to the Savior by focusing on converting principles and by exercising faith in Him as they study.

Student preparation: Invite students to read or listen to Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s talk “Behold! I Am a God of Miracles” and think about what they learn or what questions they have about miracles. This talk is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Possible Learning Activities

A God of miracles

To help students discuss how God continues to work miracles among His children today, consider sharing an experience or scenario. You could ask students to consider why some people view miracles simply as coincidences.

We could consider many events in our lives to be miraculous. However, some might view them only as coincidences. Think of a few examples of miracles that some may mistake as coincidences.

• What do you think causes people to mistake miracles for coincidences?

• Why would it be important for someone to have faith that God is working miracles in our lives today?

Reflect on your faith that God can work miracles. How strongly do you believe in the miracles in the scriptures, in the lives of others, and in your own life?

Moroni testifies of God’s miracles

Moroni, who saw our day, wrote a message to those who deny that miracles can still happen.

Read Mormon 9:7–11, looking for what Moroni taught about God.

• What stands out to you from these verses?

• What truths can you identify?

Consider writing these truths on the board.

Two truths Moroni taught are that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that God is a God of miracles.

• How can understanding these truths influence our faith in God?

Come up with a way you could help students to think more deeply about Moroni’s teachings in this chapter. One way might be to have students create a pamphlet that summarizes and provides examples of Moroni’s teachings. Students can work individually or in small groups. Provide paper, writing utensils, and the necessary instructions. Perhaps you could have pictures of the Savior performing miracles for them to cut out and glue to use as a cover for the pamphlet. Students could also make a digital presentation or another kind of their choosing.

Imagine being able to help Moroni share his message by preparing a presentation that explains these truths.

Create a pamphlet by folding a sheet of paper in half, leaving you with a cover, two inside sections, and a back. To help organize your pamphlet, consider labeling each section and providing an image or illustration on the cover.

• Section one (cover): “God is a God of miracles.”

• Section two: “Examples of miracles.”

• Section three: “Miracles happening today.”

• Section four: “How to invite God to work miracles.”

Throughout the lesson, add the thoughts, feelings, impressions, and insights you have as you study.

Examples of miracles

Read Mormon 9:11–18, looking for miracles that Moroni wanted us to recognize. List on the second page of your pamphlet what you discovered.

After you have identified some miracles that Moroni referenced, list other miracles from the scriptures that you can think of.

• What do these miracles help you understand about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Miracles happening today

Read Mormon 9:19, looking for what Moroni teaches about miracles today.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about how we might recognize miracles in our day.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Miracles, signs, and wonders abound among followers of Jesus Christ today, in your lives and in mine. Miracles are divine acts, manifestations and expressions of God’s limitless power, and an affirmation that He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” …

Many of you have witnessed miracles, more than you realize. They may seem small in comparison to Jesus raising the dead. But the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Behold! I Am a God of Miracles,” Liahona, May 2021, 109–10)

• What can this statement help us understand about miracles?

• What are some big and small miracles that come from God today?

On the third page of your pamphlet labeled “Miracles happening today,” write down miracles that you or those you know have witnessed.

Consider inviting students to share miracles they have experienced. You should not ask them to share anything they feel is too personal or sacred. This may be an appropriate time to share miracles that you have experienced, including small ones that may be considered coincidences.

For a video example, you could show the video “Sanctify Yourselves” or an experience shared by Elder Ronald A. Rasband in “By Divine Design” from time code 7:16 to 8:19.

How to invite God to work miracles

Think about some miracles you feel are most needed or hoped for today.

Read Mormon 9:20–28, looking for what God asks us to do so He can bless us with miracles.

• How can we invite God to work miracles in our lives?

Read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson or watch the video “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” from time code 13:30 to 14:05, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

President Russell M. Nelson

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,” Liahona, May 2022, 100)

• What stands out to you from President Nelson’s words?

• What spiritual work might we need to do to seek miracles?

Consider inviting students to share their pamphlets with others in the class. They could add to it anything they learn from their peers. Then you could discuss the following questions.

• What did you learn and feel about God as you studied Mormon 9?

• What will you do to invite His miracles into your life?

Commentary and Background Information

What if I pray for a miracle and it feels like it never comes?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

There are times we hope for a miracle to heal a loved one, to reverse an unjust act, or to soften the heart of a bitter or disillusioned soul. Looking at things through mortal eyes, we want the Lord to intervene, to fix what is broken. Through faith, the miracle will come, though not necessarily on our timetable or with the resolution we desired. Does that mean we are less than faithful or do not merit His intervention? No. We are beloved of the Lord. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Behold! I Am a God of Miracles,” Liahona, May 2021, 111)

What miracles does the Savior perform today that I may not have considered?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

President Dallin H. Oaks

Changing bodies or protecting temples are miracles, but an even greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Miracles,” Ensign, June 2001, 17)

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy testified:

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

Today I testify of miracles. Being a child of God is a miracle. Receiving a body in His image and likeness is a miracle. The gift of a Savior is a miracle. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a miracle. The potential for eternal life is a miracle. …

No matter our ethnicity, no matter our nationality, no matter what we have done if we repent, no matter what may have been done to us—all of us have equal access to these miracles. (Donald L. Hallstrom, “Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 90)

Supplemental Learning Activities

The Savior’s miracles

When discussing miracles from the past, consider watching a video showing miracles from the life of the Savior. One option would be to use parts of “Finding Faith in Christ” from time code 7:40 to 10:47.

Writing down miracles

Perhaps you could invite students to begin a “Miracle Journal.” Encourage them to reflect on what God has done for them each day and record it in their journals. As an example, watch the video, “O Remember, Remember” (1:27) or refer to portions of President Henry B. Eyring’s talk, “O Remember, Remember” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 66–69).