Chapter 13 - The Church’s Sesquicentennial Miracle

Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you." Moroni 7:27

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?..... Behold I say unto you, Nay for it is by faith that miracles are wrought ….” Moroni:7: 29


Miracles do happen today not just in biblical times. One of the miracles I had the privilege of being a part of took place at the BYU LaVel Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah during the celebration of the church’s sesquicentennial in July, 1997. They brought together over 3,000 people from all of the stakes in Utah County to reenact scenes from pioneer history. It was the culminating presentation concluding a year-long celebration.

We started out practicing the various parts separately in each stake and then were to combine and put the whole program together. This took place over a several months. When it came time to do dress rehearsals and bring everyone together, the weather turned bad and we could not come together.

It was a couple of days before the presentation and we needed to practice but the weather was still bad. There was lightning, thunder, and rain all over Utah County. We were at the stadium preparing for dress rehearsal and the rain was starting. Elder Ballard from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was there and gave the opening prayer. In the prayer he petitioned the Lord to stay the elements so that the rehearsal could take place. It was vital to the success of the program. The rain stopped at the end of the prayer within the stadium and never started until after the end of the closing prayer which was about three hours. There was lightning, thunder, and rain all around the stadium but nothing within. It was an amazing thing to watch.

The night of the program went on without any problems. It was dark by the end of the program when we began the grand finale. Approximately 3,000 participants entered from all of the entrances holding lights and filling all the stairways in the stadium and singing a song about what we had done with the legacy of our ancestors. When everyone had entered the stadium and were in position for the grand finale, to our surprise, they brought in all of the missionaries from the MTC. They came walking in with lights held high surrounding the football stadium singing “Called To Serve”. The Spirit flooded the stadium, tears filled our eyes and for one brief moment, it felt as though the veil had weakened and our ancestors were there with us.

As we sang ‘Faith In Every Footstep” we lit the stadium up in honor of the legacy our ancestors had left. I felt that I had experienced the opportunity of being able to stand as a witness to our ancestors that the sacrifices they had paid to bring us the gospel were not in vain. I was so full of gratitude, pride, and love for just the opportunity of being there. To be in the presence of President Hinkley, President Monson, President Faust, Elder Ballard, and Elder Holland and to feel of their spirit was beyond words.

I knew then as I know now that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. This is his Church and he is directing its’ path. Miracles and revelations are happening today and will continue as long as we have faith in every footstep. I pray that my witness of these truths will help in some small way to sustain you through your trials and temptations and that you will stay strong in the faith.

Chapter 14 - The Death of My Parents
Chapter 11 - Promptings of the Holy Ghost
 

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Tom Cormier (website) on Sunday, 17 July 2011 22:30

Miracles do happen. This one is pretty amazing! Good story.

Miracles do happen. This one is pretty amazing! Good story.