In the general session of stake conference today, a member of the stake presidency made mention of the loss of their two boys last June. They went mountain climbing in Russia, and were never heard from again. One of the things he said was that he was thankful for all the prayers and fasting members of the stake did on behalf of their sons.
This caused me to think about something. Despite the prayers and fasting, their sons never returned home and were presumed dead. Contrastingly, two years ago, all the members in Lethbridge and the surrounding communities prayed and fasted that we would receive the necessary moisture to help local farmers. Lo, and behold, the moisture came and reservoirs were filled to the highest level they had seen in years.
Here we have on instance where praying and fasting brought about a miracle and another where praying and fasting did not. Critics of organised religion would suggest that it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s only coincidence. If things go the way we want, it is an answer to prayer; if they don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t, it is God?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s will. They think such an assumption is preposterous.
It doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t take much to see why they would think that either. There must be something more. How can we convince the naysayer that it is not coincidence? How do we convince them that we don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t just choose our miracles when they are convenient? How do we convince them that it really is God?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s will?
