Miracles, Evidence, and the Power of God
by John Fisher (assisted by AI)
One of the most powerful testimonies in scripture comes from a man who had been blind from birth. When questioned and criticized for accepting a miracle that others could not explain—or would not accept—his answer was simple and unassailable: “Whereas I was blind, now I see.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, “And Now I See,” invites us to consider that same kind of evidence-based faith. Not faith built on argument or eloquence, but faith grounded in lived experience. As Elder Holland teaches, God brings about His miracles in whatever way He chooses. Sometimes those ways are majestic and unmistakable. Other times, they are plain, unexpected, or even unsettling to human logic.
I share his conviction. The bringing forth of the Book of Mormon was no less a miracle than the healing of the blind man. The same God who used spittle and clay to open mortal eyes used His power—and a young man named Joseph Smith—to bring forth scripture that has opened spiritual eyes across the world, including my own.
Evidence of God’s Ways
In John chapter 9, the Savior does not debate theology with the Pharisees. He does not explain how the miracle will work. He simply acts. He mixes clay, anoints the man’s eyes, and sends him to wash. The miracle follows obedience, not comprehension.
This story teaches a vital truth: God is not constrained by our expectations of how miracles should occur. As Elder Holland reminds us, we often struggle when divine help comes through ordinary instruments—through plain people, simple means, or unexpected processes.
History is filled with examples of humanity resisting God’s chosen methods:
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Naaman rejecting the Jordan River.
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Israelites refusing to look at the serpent on the staff.
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Critics dismissing a book of scripture because of how it came forth rather than what it testifies of.
Yet God continues to work through the humble and the unlikely. A baby in a manger. Fishermen as apostles. A young, unlearned farm boy in New York. And pages in a book that testify—clearly and powerfully—of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Mormon as Miracle
For Elder Holland, the Book of Mormon became his sight-giving miracle. Not through clay or water, but through words, witness, and the Spirit. I echo that testimony without hesitation.
The Book of Mormon has been a rod of safety for my soul. It has clarified my understanding of the Savior’s universal love, His redeeming grace, and His ongoing involvement in human history. When darkness and confusion arise—as they inevitably do—it has provided light, direction, and reassurance.
Critics have long attacked the manner of its coming forth, labeling it impractical or implausible. But the explanation has always been the same: it was translated “by the gift and power of God.” That statement is not evasive. It is declarative. God does not submit His miracles to peer review. He reveals them to hearts willing to see.
My Testimony
Like the healed man, I cannot deny what I have experienced. The evidence is not theoretical. It is personal. I have seen lives changed, faith strengthened, and understanding deepened through the Book of Mormon’s witness of Jesus Christ.
God has that power. He can heal with clay and spittle. And just as surely, He can bring forth scripture through His chosen servant. The method does not diminish the miracle. It declares it.
Where I once had questions, now I have clarity. Where I once sought proof, now I recognize evidence. And like Elder Holland, I say with confidence: I once was blind, but now I see.
Five Quotes for Reflection
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“Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
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“That the works of God should be made manifest.”
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“God can bless us by whatever method He chooses.”
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“Some things are both plain and precious.”
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“The impact of the Book of Mormon in my life is no less miraculous than was the application of spit and dirt placed on the blind man’s eyes.”
Questions for Follow-Up Reflection
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How do I respond when God’s answers come in plain or unexpected ways?
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Am I more focused on how a miracle happens—or that it happens?
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What evidence of God’s hand have I personally experienced that I cannot deny?
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How has the Book of Mormon influenced my understanding of Jesus Christ?
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In what ways might I be dismissing divine help because it arrives “in disguise”?
Like the man in Jerusalem, I offer my witness plainly. God lives. Jesus is the Christ. And the Book of Mormon stands as a modern miracle—no less real, no less powerful, and no less divine than sight restored to blind eyes.
