Miracles
by
Michael R. Ash
copyright 2002 all rights reserved
Miracles are often referred to as “supernatural” events. Supernatural, however, means “above” (super) nature, or exceeding beyond the laws of nature. I think that often times, miracles are super-comprehensible – that we are unable to understand the mechanics of many miracles – but I tend to think of miracles as preternatural events; which means they are “beside” (preter) nature – they are events which are extraordinary, inexplicable, uncommon, irregular, or abnormal, but that they still occur within the governing laws (perhaps unknown) of nature. (See Webster and Webster).
Several LDS leaders have expressed that miracles are part of higher natural laws. In a 1928 conference, for instance, Elder Orson Whitney said, “Miracles are not contrary to law; they are simply extraordinary results flowing from superior means and methods of doing things.” (Conference Reports, Oct. 1928, pp. 64-65.) Likewise, James Talmage once said:
Miracles are commonly regarded as occurrences in opposition to the laws of nature. Such a conception is plainly erroneous, for the laws of nature are inviolable. However, as human understanding of these laws is at best but imperfect, events strictly in accordance with natural law may appear contrary thereto. The entire constitution of nature is founded on system and order; the laws of nature, however, are graded as are the laws of man. The operation of a higher law in any particular case does not destroy the actuality of an inferior one. (Talmage, 200.)
In a similar vein, LDS researchers, Smith & Sjodhal, have written:
It is assumed that the so-called laws of nature are immutable, and that nothing can take place that appears to be contrary to such laws. To this objection the answer is, that we do not know all the laws of nature. We can, therefore, not maintain that the miracles performed by the servants of the Lord are not in perfect accord with some law of which we are ignorant. All we can say is that they do not belong to any of the classes of ordinary events with which men are familiar. But that is far from saying that they are impossible. As a matter of fact, violations of the best established laws of nature appear to be occurring constantly. We raise a weight from the ground. That seems to be contrary to the law of gravitation. ...God directs and controls His universe and all that pertains thereto, not contrary to, but in conformity with, laws and forces known to Him, even though unknown to us. (Smith and Sjodahl, 516.)
Lastly, to quote Parley P. Pratt:
Among the popular errors of modern times, an opinion prevails that miracles are events which transpire contrary to the laws of nature, that they are effects without a cause.
If such is the fact, then, there never has been a miracle, and there never will be one. The laws of nature are the laws of truth. Truth is unchangeable, and independent in its own sphere.
That which, at first sight, appears to be contrary to the known laws of nature, will always be found, on investigation, to be in perfect accordance with those laws. For instance, had a sailor of the last century been running before the wind, and met with a vessel running at a good rate of speed, directly in opposition to the wind and current, this sight would have presented, to his understanding, a miracle in the highest possible sense of the term, that is, an event entirely contrary to the laws of nature as known to him. Or if a train of cars, loaded with hundreds of passengers or scores of tons of freight had been seen passing over the surface of the earth, at the rate of sixty miles per hour, and propelled seemingly, by its own inherent powers of locomotion, our fathers would have beheld a miracle—an event which would have appeared, to them to break those very laws of nature with which they were the most familiar.
If the last generation had witnessed the conveyance of news from London to Paris, in an instant, while they knew nothing of the late invention of the electric telegraph, they would have testified, in all candor, and with the utmost assurance, that a miracle had been performed, in open violation of the well known laws of nature, and contrary to all human knowledge of cause and effect.
...The terms miracle and mystery must become obsolete, and finally disappear from the vocabulary of intelligences, as they advance in the higher spheres of intellectual consistency. Even now they should be used only in a relative or limited sense, as applicable to those things which are not yet within reach of our powers or means of comprehension. (Pratt, 103 - 104.)
Recognizing that miracles are harmonious with natural (although perhaps unknown) laws gives reason to suggest that some of the “miracles” of scriptural times might be understood in accordance with natural phenomenon with which we are familiar, while other “miracles” might be supported by natural laws with which we are still unfamiliar. Miracles such as the Resurrection, Jesus' walking on the water, his healing of the lame and blind, etc., appeal to natural laws that still allude us. Other miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, etc., might possibly be explained by phenomenon with which we are familiar – this no less makes such occurrences, “miracles.” Although an earthquake may be the result of the shifting of tectonic plates, for instance, it is no less of a miracle when the timing, location, and outcome is directed by the Lord or by the hand of the Lord's prophet.
Miracles, as Hugh Nibley has noted, “belong to the church; they are a useful, natural, necessary part of it. They are not something to be handled in the abstract with the precious affections of the academicians; nor are they something to be spread abroad in hushed and excited whispers or written up in popular magazines for their publicity value. Since we say we know that God can do these things, it is a poor demonstration of faith when he actually does them to act as if he were a magician trying to make our eyes pop out.” (Nibley [1987], 144 - 145.) Faith precedes miracles. “Miracles,” writes Nibley, are a “supremely useful gift of God” to those who believe, “and emphatically not a means of impressing the opposition. 'And these signs shall follow them that believe,' says the Lord at the end of the gospel of Mark (16:17-18).” (Ibid., 135 - 137.)
For the most part, I believe that many miracles are executed via natural occurrences that the unbeliever can always explain away. The Israelites continued to return to idolatry and wickedness despite the witnessing of some remarkable miracles. Had these miracles appeared in Cecil-B-DeMille-fashion I find it hard to image that the Israelites would have turned so easily to their old habits. It seems more likely that in hindsight the wicked Israelites could rationalize away the miracles of the Exodus as not really demonstrating the power of God, but rather as simple coincidences with natural phenomenon. Faith is needed to understand that miracles are of God. The wicked will find ways to brush it aside; “neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:27-31.) Miracles are a matter of perspective based solely on faith.
LDS scientist, Henry Eyring once expressed the following thoughts:
Now, what about the miracles of the Bible? Did Moses really turn the Nile to blood, or part the Red Sea? Did manna fall from heaven? First of all, the topic is hardly worth talking about. I don't know the answer, and it doesn't make any difference anyway. These are historical events and can't be confirmed by laboratory experimentation, but if someone could prove to me conclusively that any such miracle in the Bible didn't really happen, but was just hyperbole on the part of the writer or some later translator, I wouldn't lose my testimony. After all, I'm only interested in finding out what the truth is. The only miracle I can think of that makes a difference is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether or not manna really fell from heaven or was just the dried sap of the tamarisk plants in the area doesn't seem to me to have much religious significance. (Eyring, 92 - 93.)
While I believe that miracles are real, and have really happened, I believe that many of the miracles in the Bible can be understood in light of God working through natural means to bring to pass His purposes.
Michael R. Ash
Return to Mormon Fortress