Book of Mormon in 2016

Next Sunday we start at 1:00 p.m. and we get to start studying the Book of Mormon.  Here is your homework assignment, please read:

Lesson #13 

“I Will Give unto Thee the Keys of the Kingdom”

 

FHE idea for everyone!

FHE Idea for teaching of Priesthood Keys for small kids.

Lesson Highlights
Jesus heals the daughter of a Gentile and feeds more than 4,000 people.
Peter is promised the keys of the kingdom.
Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John.

A study of this lesson will help strengthen our testimonies that Jesus is the Christ and that the priesthood keys bestowed on the Mount of Transfiguration have been restored.

 

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST?

 

Canaanite woman begs for scraps

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus traveled to the border of the Jewish nation along the Mediterranean coast to the city of Tyre. Not far from Tyre was the town of Sidon, which was a Gentile town. In this setting, Jesus was accosted by a Canaanite woman to heal her child from demonic possession. The Canaanites long had been neighbors of the Israelites, but were often enemies. Centuries before Jesus, the Canaanites were major competitors of Israel and its God. Canaan’s major god, Baal, competed against Yahweh for primacy in the days of Elijah. The Canaanite Jezebel and her husband Ahab, king of Israel, introduced Baal worship to the kingdom. Family members would later bring Baal worship to Jerusalem’s temple. There was a very long period of distrust and feuding between the two gods and their nations.

 

As the Canaanite woman begged for help, Jesus chose not to do so. He told her he was sent only to the House of Israel. Not long before, he commanded his apostles to.

"not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel"  (Matthew 10:5-7).

Not until years after Jesus’ death would Peter receive the vision to bring the gospel to the Gentile nations. But Jesus was not sent to the Gentiles, only to Israel. In clarifying this view, he explained to the woman that the dogs do not eat from the Master’s table. The term he used is closer to the idea of a lap dog than that of a wild dog, often used in the Middle East as a derogatory term towards other men. But the Gentiles were not Israel, and could not eat at the table. She took up the idea of lapdog and ran with it. The lapdogs still ate the scraps from the table. Because of her faith and determination, she succeeded in receiving the blessing she sought.

 

 

Many years ago President Spencer W. Kimball and several other Church leaders visited the small cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark, that houses Bertel Thorvaldsen’s famous statues of Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles. Speaking of this experience, Elder Rex D. Pinegar said: “As we looked at those beautiful works of art we noted that Peter was sculptured with large keys in his hands. … As we were ready to leave the cathedral, the Danish caretaker … was standing near the door awaiting our departure. President Kimball shook his hand [and] thanked him for his kindness in letting us visit the cathedral. Then the president began an explanation of the church established by Jesus Christ and of its importance to us. … Gathering President Tanner, Elder Monson, and Elder Packer closer to him, the president continued, ‘We are living apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are Twelve Apostles and three others who are the presidency of the Church. We hold the real keys, as Peter did, and we use them every day. They are in use constantly’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 104; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 69).

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO HAVE PRIESTHOOD KEYS ON THE EARTH TODAY?

Matthew 16:19

 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

Matthew 17:1-9

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

 

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

 

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

 

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

 

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

 

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

 

 

What happened on the Mount of Transfiguration?

• Jesus was transfigured before them.
• Joseph Smith taught that on the mount of transfiguration; Peter, James, and John were also transfigured.  They saw a vision of the earth as it will appear in its future glorified condition.
• Received the priesthood keys of the kingdom.  With these priesthood keys, the Apostles had the power to continue the work of the kingdom after the ascension of Jesus.
• Moses appeared to them and gave them the keys of the Gathering of Israel.
• The descendants of Abraham (the 12 tribes of Israel) were scattered due to disobedience and apostasy.  These priesthood keys of the gathering of Israel enables those descendants of Abraham (both literal and adopted) to be gathered again to receive the blessings of ordinances and covenants in God’s true church.
• Elijah (Elias) appeared to them and gave them the keys to the Sealing Power.
• The sealing power is to make valid in heaven, the ordinances performed by priesthood authority on earth…the power to bind, or seal, on earth and in heaven.
• The Lord gave Elijah power over the elements as well as over men, with authority to seal for time all eternity on the righteous all the ordinances pertaining to the fullness of salvation.      –Joseph Fielding Smith

 

 

Those SAME PRIESTHOOD KEYS that Peter, James, and John received were given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland Temple.

 

 

We have the SAME KEYS on the earth today.

 

 

  

Matthew 16:13-18

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
 

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU ALLOWED JESUS CHRIST TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

 

 

Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.  As God, He has infinite power, intelligence, and love.  There is no human problem beyond His capacity to solve.  Because He descended below all things, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.  Faith in Him means believing that even though we do not understand all things, HE DOES.  We, therefore, must look to Him "in every thought; doubt not, fear not". His gospel is the perfect prescription for all human problems and social ills.  But His gospel is only effective as it is applied in our daily lives. –Ezra Taft Benson

 Before the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter declares

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

6 Months later he will deny knowing him 3 times.

WHICH PETER ARE YOU?

 

 

NT Lesson #7 Miracles

Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

Mark 1:14–15, 21–45; Mark 2:1–12; Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20; Luke 7:11–17; Mark 5:21–43.

 

New Testament Class Member Study Guide; Lesson 7

• A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power (Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33). Why did Jesus perform miracles during his mortal ministry? (See Matthew 9:27–30; Mark 1:27; 2:10–11; 5:19 for some answers to this question.)

• Why do you think faith must precede miracles? Why don’t miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith?

• Why are the miracles that Jesus performed during his mortal life important to you? Why is it important to know that he continues to perform miracles today? What are some examples of modern miracles?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Invite family members to tell of miracles that have occurred in their lives or the lives of people they know.

Scripture Chain: Miracles and Faith in Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 27:23 / Mark 1:34 / 3 Nephi 17:5-10 / Ether 12:12 / Mormon 9:15-21

 

Lesson Highlights

• Jesus travels through Galilee teaching the gospel and performing miracles.
• Jesus forgives a man's sins and heals the man of palsy.
• Jesus calms the sea, casts out devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.
• Jesus heals a woman with an issue of blood and raises Jairus's daughter from the dead.

BACKGROUND ABOUT MARK

Author: Numerous early documents identify Mark as the author of this Gospel, even though he is not identified as such within the book. The Prophet Joseph Smith entitled the book, “The Testimony of St Mark” (see “Title” footnote in the LDS Edition of the King James Bible). For more detailed information see the entry for Mark in the Bible Dictionary (p. 728).

 

Audience: Mark’s Gospel provides cultural and geographical explanations that would appeal to a gentile (non-Jewish) audience (see Bible Dictionary, “Gospels,” pp. 683–84).

 

Historical Background: Mark is usually thought to have been the first Gospel written and may have formed a basis for much of Matthew and Luke. The exact date it was written is unknown but “both early Christian tradition and internal features of Mark’s record point to an origin of his Gospel in Rome after Peter’s death (A.D. 64) and before the final fall of the Jerusalem Temple (A.D. 70)” (S. Kent Brown, “The Testimony of Mark,” in Studies in Scripture: Volume Five, the Gospels, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet [1986], 67).

 

Unique Features: The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels. It is a fast-moving account that emphasizes what the Savior did more than what He said. Mark particularly highlights the Savior’s miracles. Over 90 percent of the material in Mark is also found in the other Gospels. Events and teachings found in Mark but not in the other Gospels include the parable of the seed growing secretly (see Mark 4:26–29), the fact that Jesus was a carpenter (see Mark 6:3), the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida (see Mark 8:22–26), and the doctrine that signs follow those who believe (see Mark 16:17–18).

 

Theme: Mark’s record testifies that Jesus Christ was the son of God and a being of miraculous power. Mark illustrates this idea by emphasizing the Savior’s actions.

 

 JESUS TRAVELS THROUGH GALILEE TEACHING THE GOSPEL AND PERFORMING MIRACLES.

Jesus has been baptized and was driven into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and is tempted.  He begins his ministry teaching his gospel, calls disciples.  As he travels throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, he performed many miracles, including healing the sick and casting out devils.

 

Which of all the Savior's miracles would you most like to have witnessed for yourself?

Imagine the experience of watching him walk toward you on the tempestuous waters of the Sea of Galilee, or seeing him standing on the deck of a storm-tossed ship commanding, "Peace, be still!" What would it have been like to eat the bread and fish so miraculously provided to the thousands of hungry followers, or to watch the man with palsy lowered through the roof of the house for a healing? If you were in the group at the temple in Bountiful and heard the Savior's invitation to bring all that were sick, and His promise to heal them, who would you bring? Why?

Consider this question: since the Savior did not heal all the sick in the world, nor even all the sick in Jerusalem since He clearly did not come to heal everybody and solve every problem why do you think He performed the miracles He did perform?

What are miracles?

·         Miracles defy full explanation.

·         They are manifestations of the power of God in the lives of men.

·         They seem to transcend natural laws, but are simply the manifestations of higher laws not generally known to mortal men.

·         They are one of the chief characteristics of true believers.

·         Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "In the broadest sense, miracles embrace all those events which are beyond the power of any presently known physical power to produce. They are occurrences which deviate from the known laws of nature and which transcend our knowledge of those laws....

     "But in the gospel sense, miracles are those occurrences wrought by the power of God which are wholly beyond the power of man to perform. Produced by a supernatural power, they are marvels, wonders, and signs, which cannot be duplicated by man's present powers or by any powers which he can obtain by scientific advancements. Miracles in the gospel sense are gifts of the Spirit; they take place when the Lord on his own motion manifests his powers or when man by faith prevails upon Deity to perform supernatural events." (Mormon Doctrine, p506)

 

WHAT TYPES OF MIRACLES ARE THERE?

·         Enoch and the brother of Jared had the faith to change the course of rivers and move mountains.

·         Moses parted the Red Sea.

·         Joshua stopped the sun in its course.

·         Elijah called down fire to destroy his enemies.

·         Physical healings by Christ.

·         Feeding of the multitudes.

·         The calming of a storm

·         The resurrection of Christ.

·         Some latter-day miracles:

o    Joseph Smith casts out an evil spirit.

o    Healing of many Saints on the banks of the Mississippi.

o    Joseph saved from poisoning.

o    The appearance of quail to save starving Saints

o    The seagulls and crickets.

o    Miracles in the lives of the faithful members of the Church

  

WHY DID JESUS PERFORM HEALINGS AND OTHER MIRACLES DURING HIS MINISTRY?

·         To fulfill prophecy:

o    "...he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:16-17).

·         To reveal his authority to the people:

o    "And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him" (Mark 1:27-28).

·         Out of love and compassion for the people:

o    "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:41).

·         To build and confirm faith:

o    "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29).

·         To display the power of redemption:

o    "...that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10).

·         To show the power of God:

o    "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (John 3:2).

 

As we discuss the miracles of Jesus in this lesson and in the weeks to come, consider this thought from Elder McConkie: "We have little conception of the number of healings Jesus wrought. Multitudes thronged his way day after day, bringing their diseased and deformed, their lame and decrepit, their deaf and their blind. All these were healed as faith and desire warranted. Even their dead were subject to Jesus' will.
     "No attempt is made by the Gospel authors to record Jesus' many miracles. Only selected samples are set forth in the scriptures. The obvious plan of the inspired authors is to preserve illustrations of his purposes and powers, and surely the wide variety of healings and miraculous performances that they chose to record do attest to his power and control over all things." (Mortal Messiah, 2:36)
 
 

The Miracles of Jesus Christ

MARK 1:21-27. Jesus casts out an unclean spirit.

WHY WERE THE PEOPLE AMAZED AT JESUS' TEACHING AND HIS ABILITY TO CAST OUT UNCLEAN SPIRITS?

The people were accustomed to their teachers and scribes. They did not have the authority to cast out unclean spirits or perform miracles. When they saw this greater teacher come among them and perform that which had not been performed in Israel in generations, they were amazed.  He taught them as one that had authority.  They were in awe of the new doctrine and wondered where this man (Christ) got this authority.

BY WHAT AUTHORITY DID JESUS TEACH AND PERFORM MIRACLES?
By the authority of the priesthood, which the scribes did not have.

Elder James E. Talmage: "A striking characteristic of Christ's ministry was the entire absence of any claim of human authorization for His words or deeds; the commission He professed to have was that of the Father who sent Him." (Jesus the Christ, p249)

Christ then goes out of the synagogue in Capernaum to the home of Simon Peter and Andrew, with James and John.  Simon Peter’s mother-in-law is very sick with a fever.  He took her by the hand, lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Then when the sun set more people came.  The whole town gathered at the front door and brought unto him all that were diseased and them that were possessed with devils.  He healed them that night.

The next day he rose early to go be alone and to pray.  Simon Peter and those with him followed him, and when they found him, they said all men seek for thee.  Christ says let’s go to the next town so I can continue to share the gospel.

He then goes to Galilee and preaches and heals people and the leper that comes to him.

ACCORDING MARK 1:41, WHAT WAS ONE REASON JESUS HEALED THE LEPER?
To show compassion and make the leper clean.

Jesus performed many miracles directly blessed just one person. 

WHAT DO THESE INCIDENTS DEMONSTRATE ABOUT HOW JESUS FEELS ABOUT US INDIVIDUALLY?

WHEN HAVE YOU FELT CHRISTLIKE LOVE?

HOW DO YOU DEVELOP CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR OTHERS?

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU HAVE TO DEVELOP AND SHOW CHRISTLIKE LOVE?

MARK 2:1-12. Healing of a man with palsy.

WHAT WAS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN THE HEALING OF THIS MAN?
The faith of others. They believed enough to take the man with palsy to the Lord. Because of the crowd, it was necessary for them to use extraordinary measures to get their friend to Jesus.

HOW CAN WE EXERCISE FAITH IN BEHALF OF OTHERS?

We have all had the experience of fasting and praying in behalf of family or friends who are ill. Alma exercised faith in behalf of his son. Recall the words of the angel when he appeared to Alma, "And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith" (Mosiah 27:14).

As James taught, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). Our faith is made effectual by our righteousness. Such was the case with Alma when he prayed for his son. He was actively serving the Lord and keeping the commandments. As we strive to do the will of the Lord, we are giving life to our faith.

HOW HAS THE FAITH OF OTHERS HELPED YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW?

WHAT DID SOME OF THE SCRIBES THINK WHEN JESUS TOLD THE MAN WITH PALSY THAT HIS SINS WERE FORGIVEN?

"But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" (Mark 2:6-7)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Jesus has forgiven a man's sins. Luke's account puts the blessed words in the present tense: 'Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.' Immediately rebellion wells up in the hearts of the ever-present rebels. 'Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?' they think. 'Who can forgive sins but God only?'

     "In part, their thinking is correct. None but God can forgive sins, and if this man is not God, then the words he has spoken are blasphemy, and according to divine law, the penalty for such is death. If, however, this man is the Messiah, then the prerogative he has assumed is proper, and it is within his province to loose on earth and have it loosed eternally in the heavens. Messiah can forgive sins because Messiah is God." (Mortal Messiah 2:50)

HOW DID JESUS RESPOND?

"...that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." (Mark 2:10-11)

WHICH IS THE GREATER MIRACLE, TO BE HEALED OF A PHYSICAL AFFLICTION OR HAVE ONE’S SINS FORGIVEN?

Elder James E. Talmage: "According to one of the accounts, the Lord's first words to the afflicted one were: 'Son, be of good cheer'; followed directly by the comforting and authoritative assurance: 'Thy sins be forgiven thee.' The man was probably in a state of fear; he may have known that his ailment was the result of wicked indulgences; nevertheless, though he may have considered the possibility of hearing only condemnation for his transgression, he had faith to be brought. In this man's condition there was plainly a close connection between his past sins and his present affliction; and in this particular his case is not unique, for we read that Christ admonished another, whom He healed, to sin no more lest a worse thing befall him." (Jesus the Christ, p192)

It was a miracle that the man was healed of palsy and it was a miracle that he was forgiven of his sins.

THIS MIRACLE IS AVAILABLE TO EACH OF US AS WE REPENT

WHAT GREATER HEALING POWER MIGHT BE SYMBOLIZED BY THE SAVIOR’S PHYSCIAL HEALINGS?

HOW HAS JESUS' HEALING POWER BLESSED YOU SPIRITUALLY?

HOW CAN WE SEEK SPIRITUAL HEALING?

MARK 4:35-41. Calming of the storm at sea.

WHAT ROLE DID FAITH HAVE IN THIS MIRACLE?
The Master asked, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" But they did exercise their faith in the Lord, for they went to him and said, "Lord, save us: we perish" (Matthew 8:25). When we consider the response of his followers, they certainly did not expect the Lord to calm the storm, but they went to him believing that he could do something for them.

WHAT SPIRITUAL TRUTH MIGHT WE LEARN FROM THIS MIRACLE?
We have spiritual storms within our souls. Like his ancient apostles, we can look to the Master to calm our storms.

"And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes" (Mark 5:1).

Upon landing they were met by a man "with an unclean spirit" (Mark 5:2).

WHAT THEN HAPPENED?

See Mark 5:3-20.

WHAT SPIRITUAL TRUTH MIGHT WE LEARN FROM THIS MIRACLE?

If we come to the Savior, as did this man with an unclean spirit, he can cast the evil influence of Satan out of our lives.

The physical aspects of the Savior’s miracles often symbolized spiritual truths.

1.       Mark 4:35-41 Christ calmed the sea (He can bring us peace)

2.       Mark 5:1-20  Jesus cast out a legion of devils (He can cast Satan and his influence out of our lives)

3.       Luke 7;11-17 Jesus raised a young man from the dead (because of His atonement, we will rise from the dead in the resurrection)

 

MARK 5:25-34. A woman with an issue of blood is healed.

HOW DID THE WOMAN WITH AN ISSUE OF BLOOD SHOW HER FAITH?
She touched his garment.

WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF HER HEALING?
It was her faith in Jesus’ power, not the act of touching his garment that caused her to be healed.

Prior to the healing of the woman, Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, came to Jesus and asked him to come and heal his daughter who was near the point of death (Mark 5:22-23).

MARK 5:35-43. The daughter of Jairus is raised from the dead.

HOW DID JAIRUS SHOW HIS FAITH IN THE SAVIOR?

This ruler of the synagogue was humble enough to approach the Master and request this great blessing.

Even when Jairus learned of the death of his daughter, he went with the Savior to his home. We do not hear a protest from Jairus saying that his daughter was dead. He returned to his home with the Master.

When Jairus learned of the death of his daughter, Jesus said "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5:36).

HOW CAN WE APPLY THESE WORDS IN OUR LIFE?
Jairus was facing one of the greatest calamities in life, the death of a child. From time to time we face great challenges. It may have to do with our health or the health of a loved one, a spiritual challenge, the loss of income, or any number of other things. Such challenges may trouble our spirit and even cause fear. The Savior instructs us to believe. As we believe in him by giving heed to his words and turning to the Father in prayer, the Master can ease the fear and calm the tempest that rages within us.

"And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom; and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of diseases among the people which believed on his name." (JST Matthew 4:23)

WHY DO YOU THINK FAITH MUST PRECEDE MIRACLES?

 

WHY DON’T MIRACLES ALONE PROVIDE A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR FAITH?

 

Brigham Young said: “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 341).

WHY ARE THE MIRACLES THAT JESUS PERFORMED DURING HIS MORTAL LIFE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT HE CONTINUES TO PERFORM MIRACLES TODAY?

 

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF MODERN MIRACLES?

 

 

 

 

FAMILY HOME EVENING SUGGESTION

Miracles
What is a miracle? Discuss examples from the scriptures, your family history, or your life. Then read “A Miraculous Escape from Danger” (June 2007 Liahona and Friend). What dangers and challenges exist in the world you face? Think of this story the next time you are confronted with a bad situation. Remember that the Lord hears prayers and can help you anytime, anywhere.

A Miraculous Escape from Danger

By Myra Hawke Dyck

Based on a true story

“It is by faith that miracles are wrought” (Moroni 7:37).

00786_000_029 It was a sunny spring afternoon, a week after my eighth birthday—a perfect day for a bike ride. My sister Marla, our friend Lisa, and I headed out on a backcountry road that was part of my family’s cattle ranch in British Columbia, Canada. The mountaintops glowed as the sun reflected off their snowcapped peaks. Excitement filled my chest as I pedaled.

I had been riding a two-wheeler for only about a week, so I was still a little shaky. The first part of the road was smooth dirt, flattened by regular tractor and hay-wagon trips. As the road wound past the thick green alfalfa fields, we began to pedal faster. I felt strong and free, coasting through the fresh mountain breeze.

Then we came to a division in the road. We could keep going straight along the edge of the field, or we could turn and take the road that went along the creek at the base of the mountain. We decided to take the more adventurous route.

Marla and I had been on this road several times before with our family, but this was my first time riding a bike here. I was a little nervous as my bike jiggled across a cattle guard, a ditch covered with evenly spaced bars to keep cows from crossing. I pedaled hard to stay with Marla and Lisa. The sunlight pierced through the majestic pine trees, creating a cheerful, bright pattern on the bumpy path.

As the road became rockier, I became more nervous. I was having a hard time keeping my balance. I wondered if the rocks would puncture my tires.

“I think maybe we should go back,” I said.

“Why?” Marla asked. “Are you scared?”

I would never admit to my older sister that I was afraid. “No. I just don’t want to get a flat tire.”

“Well, you can go back if you want, but we are going to keep going,” she said.

“Bye,” I called as I turned my bike around.

“We’ll see you at home,” Marla said. “We probably won’t go too much farther.”

I started toward home, all alone. The patterns on the road did not seem so cheerful now. I was suddenly aware of the strange sounds coming from the dark forest. But knowing that the comfort of home was near, I pedaled on. I was almost to the cattle guard when I sensed someone behind me. “Marla and Lisa must have decided to come home too,” I realized with relief. “Now I won’t have to ride home alone.” Swinging my leg over my bike, I stopped and turned around to see where they were. Marla and Lisa were nowhere in sight, but walking straight toward me was a black bear!

I froze. My bike clanked to the ground. All the advice I had ever heard about bears rushed through my mind. Don’t run or it will chase you. You can never outrun a bear. I started to walk slowly backwards.

Make noise to scare the bear away. Yell and bang two rocks together. I scanned the ground near my feet—no rocks, just dirt. I clapped my hands as hard as I could. But I could not yell. My throat felt tight. The bear kept walking toward me.

Pray. Throughout my life I had been taught to pray. My Sunday School teacher had even asked us what we should do if we saw a bear, and she had emphasized prayer. I had been taught to pray with my head bowed and eyes closed, but that was impossible now. I kept my eyes on the bear and silently prayed: “Heavenly Father, please help me! Please save me from this bear! Please help me know what to do.”

Praying and clapping, I walked slowly backward toward the cattle guard. Maybe if a cow couldn’t cross it, a bear would have trouble too. Maybe it would trip, giving me a chance to run home! I stepped carefully across the widely spaced beams.

The bear snorted and drooled. I watched as it followed me easily across the cattle guard. It rose onto its hind legs. I stood horrified as the grunting bear came toward me with outstretched paws. It towered over me, and I could see its sharp, wet teeth. Suddenly, the bear swiped for my head! I screamed as its large, curled claws got tangled in my hair and jerked me to the ground. I jumped back up. The bear, on all fours again, bit my inner thigh and pulled me down. It started dragging me across the road.

By then, Marla and Lisa had found me. Marla tried to distract the bear, but nothing worked. In seconds, the bear had dragged me across the dirt road to the base of the mountain. It surely would have pulled me into the thick bushes, but suddenly my pants ripped. They tore into two pieces, from front to back, even through the elastic waistband. Miraculously, its teeth had not punctured my skin. I leaped up. “Run!” a voice said to my mind.

I ran toward Marla and Lisa, leaving the bear with my pant leg in its mouth. Pantless and wearing only one shoe, I ran as fast as an Olympic track star. I overtook Marla and Lisa, who were also running. We lunged into the bushes and raced toward the creek. The thorny brambles scratched my legs, but I didn’t slow down.

Without pausing or looking back, I crossed a barbed-wire fence and sloshed into the creek. I lost my other shoe when it got wedged under a log. Almost home, I plunged through the water and ran across the wet cow corral. I squeezed through a fence and sprinted up the porch steps and through the front door.

My parents bombarded me with questions when they saw me without shoes or pants and covered with scratches.

“What happened?” Mom cried.

“Where are your pants?” Dad asked. “How did you get all those scratches?”

Still afraid, I couldn’t catch my breath. Stuttering, gasping, and crying, I finally managed, “I … ah … buh … buh … bear!”

Marla and Lisa ran onto the porch, and Marla told Mom and Dad what she had seen. Trying to calm me, Mom helped me into a warm bath.

Later that evening, clean and safe, we discussed the terrifying event. My palms were blue with bruises from clapping so hard, and my legs were covered in scratches from the bushes, but I had no marks from the bear. Its claws had brushed my head, and its teeth had gripped my leg, but my skin had not been broken. If the bear’s claws had been any closer to my head or if its teeth had bitten into my thigh, I could have been seriously hurt and would not have been able to run away.

I know Heavenly Father heard my prayers that day, and I know I heard the voice of the Holy Ghost telling me to run. Heavenly Father blessed me with a miracle.

[Be More Believing]

“As a result of the many miracles in our lives, we should be more humble and more grateful, more kind and more believing.” President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95), “The God That Doest Wonders,” Ensign, May 1989, 17.