Bruce R. McConkie

Bruce R. McConkie



http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Rel302/Signs%20Personal%20Testimony.html



D&C 63

9 But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.

10 Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.

Gifts of the Spirit which the Lord bestows upon those who believe and obey the gospel of Christ are called signs. That is, their receipt stands as an evidence or sign of the presence of that faith which results from believing the truth. Signs are wonders and miracles; they always and invariably are manifest to and among the faithful saints.

In every gospel dispensation, the saints have had this promise: "These signs shall follow them that believe - in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover; And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth." (Morm. 9:24-25; Ether 4:18; Mark 16:16-20; 1 Cor. 14:22; D. & C. 68:8-12; 84:64-72; 124:98.)

Signs flow from faith. They may incidentally have the effect of strengthening the faith of those who are already spiritually inclined, but their chief purpose is not to convert people to the truth, but to reward and bless those already converted. "Faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe," the Lord says. "Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God. Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation." (D. & C. 63:9-11.)

Faith that is based on signs alone is weak and ineffective. It continually demands added and greater signs to keep it alive, and those relying on such visible supernatural guidance soon begin "to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven" until they are in danger of disbelieving all they have "heard and seen." (3 Ne. 2:1.) Thus belief based on supernatural experiences is less to be desired than that which stands on its own feet. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29.)

Signs are sacred grants of divine favor reserved for the faithful and concerning which the recipients are commanded not to boast. "A commandment I give unto them," the Lord says, "that they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation." (D. & C. 84:73.)

And as with nearly every good and proper gift, Satan has an evil and ugly substitute. "Signs and lying wonders" (2 Thess. 2:9-12) are the stock in trade of false prophets (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22), a fact which establishes the truth that signs, standing alone, do not establish that divine approval rests upon a particular people. Unless there are signs, belief in the true gospel is not established, but the Lord will always have other evidences also to bear record of his work. [From Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.713-714]

What, then, is the legitimate role of signs and miracles? ... Signs are a means of strengthening the faith and blessing the lives of believers. The New Testament records the Savior's promise that "signs shall follow them that believe." (Mark 16:17.) It further records that when his servants went forth preaching, the Lord "confirm[ed] the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20.)

The promise that signs shall follow and confirm the word has been reaffirmed by the prophets in many other scriptures. (See, for example, Morm. 9:24; Ether 4:18; D&C 58:64; 68:10; 84:65.) Nephi taught that the gentiles must be convinced that Jesus Christ "manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; . . . working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith." (2 Ne. 26:13.) [From The Lord's Way (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1991), p.94)

Brigham Young:

Harold B. Lee