Be Believing

By Bishop Bingham

Nephi's bands are loosed after prayer.

I have often pondered the story in 1st Nephi when Nephi had been tied up by his brothers and they had decided to kill him and leave him in the wilderness. Nephi prayed with faith that he might have the strength to “burst these bands with which [he was] bound" (1 Nephi 7:17). I always imagined something like in a movie where the hero, triumphantly, yanks his hands apart and the chords fly off of his wrists!

Instead, the bands were simply “loosed from off [his] hands and feet" (1 Nephi 7:18). Did Nephi ever think to himself, “Hey, that’s not exactly what I was asking for? I wanted the bands to burst”? Was Nephi looking for the spectacular?

I have learned that it is important to understand how the Lord works with us and manifests His miracles. Most of the time His miracles are such that those without eyes to see and ears to hear can explain them away in their minds. Nonetheless, the bands being loosed from Nephi’s hands was no less miraculous than if they had burst from his wrists. 

I believe we all receive miracles over and over throughout our lives. Most miracles are more like the bands being loosed from our hands. For those who are unbelieving, the miracles are dismissed as luck or coincidence.  But for those who believe in Christ, the experiences are sacred and build faith. We are taught to “be believing, and all things shall work together for [our] good" (D&C 90:24). 

As I have earnestly strived to "be believing," I have noticed many personal and sacred miracles that have strengthened my testimony and helped me know that my Father in Heaven is with me. 

Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. That is the greatest miracle of all! This is His church on the Earth. It has been restored to bring us back to our Father, who knows us and loves us. ​