Lesson 5 Choice #2: The Savior Heals a Boy.

Matthew 17:14-21

1. List three things the Savior says is required for miracles to happen. 

In versus 20 and 21 Jesus rebukes his disciples for their unbelief and for not being able to heal the young man, telling them that with "faith as a grain of mustard seed...nothing shall be impossible unto you." Along with faith Jesus shares that prayer and fasting is also necessary for miracles to happen. 

2. By the following references write what is taught about what is needed for miracles to happen. 

• 3 Nephi 18:20 - "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

In this verse we are taught to call upon the Father in the name of the Son with faith in order for miracles to happen. We also need to understand the phrase, "which is right". To me this phrase means that God may not grant unto us all things we ask with faith but, only those things he deems necessary. 

• Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 - "And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done."

Another important step needed to complete miracles is to be cleansed from sin. This is obviously something very few of us are able to attain because of the state of the natural man, and honestly I believe Satan would do anything in our power to tempt us and keep us from being able to perform miracles that would fortify the faith of ourselves and others. 

• Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 - "And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed."

I find this to be an interesting verse. With faith in him we can be healed, unless it is our time to die. God has a plan for each one of us and will only grant miracles he deems right. Elder Spencer W. Kimball said, “I am positive in my mind that the Lord has planned our destiny. We can shorten our lives but I think we cannot lengthen them very much. Sometime we’ll understand fully, and when we see back from the vantage point of the future we shall be satisfied with many of the happenings of this life which seemed so difficult for us to comprehend.” (Tragedy or Destiny, pp. 9, 11.)