Jesus did the Impossible on Easter Morning

Impossible to be Born Again

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3:3-4

“…I plead with you now – to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Work for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women. As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”

(Overcome the World and Find Rest by President Nelson, Oct 2022 Gen Conf) and Choices for Eternity by President Russell M. Nelson, worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022

In my opinion, inconceivable and impossible mean the same thing, as shown in this clip from The Princess Bride movie.

2.0 Seek and Expect Miracles

Suggestion number 4: Seek and expect miracles.

Moroni assured us that ‘God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Every book of scripture demonstrates how willing the Lord is to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him. He parted the Red Sea for Moses, helped Nephi retrieve the brass plates, and restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Each of these miracles took time and may not have been exactly what those individuals originally requested from the Lord.

In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, ‘doubting nothing.’ (Mormon 9:21) Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ ‘giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ (Isaiah 40:29) Few things will accelerate your spiritual momentum more than realizing the Lord is helping you to move a mountain in your life.

The Power of Spiritual Momentum by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2022 General Conference

3.0 Learn About Miracles

Moving your mountains may require a miracle. Learn about miracles. Miracles come according to your faith in the Lord. Central to that faith is trusting His will and timetable – how and when He will bless you with the miraculous help you desire. Only your unbelief will keep God from blessing you with miracles to move the mountains in your life.

…the Savior, is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.

Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2021 General Conference

3.1 Miracle ingredients

1. Daily Repentance
   • “I bless you with the courage to repent daily and learn how to exercise full priesthood power. I bless you to communicate the love of the Savior to your wife and children and to all who know you. I bless you to do better and be better. And I bless you that as you make these efforts, you will experience miracles in your life.” (We Can Do Better and Be Better by Pres Nelson, April 2019 Gen Conf)
2. Exercise of Faith by someone in your behalf
   • Naaman and the Little Girl – Little maid of Israel said ‘Would God my [Naaman] were with the prophet [Elisha], for he would recover him of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:2-3)
   • Andrew and the Little Boy – “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (John 6:9; Mark 6:38). Act of faith is the boy gave all he had to Jesus.
   • Dad – Jairus fell down at Jesus’ feet and worshiped Him (Luke 8:46, Matt 9:18). Jesus took her by the hand and called saying Maid arise (Luke 8:54). Act of faith is Jairus abandoned all social customs and seeked after Jesus to bless his daughter.
   • 4 Friends – “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” (Mark 2:3). Act of faith of the friends is they removed the roof to let their friend down in front of Jesus.
   • For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)
   • What did the Nephites do to help the Anti-Nephi-Lehies keep their promise to never fight again? (Come Follow Me, July 8-14, 2024 “They Never Did Fall Away”)
     • (Alma 27:22-23) they gave up their land and protected their brethren the Anti-Nephi-Lehies
3. Believe in Jesus and that he can do all things, even the impossible
   • Believe that I am able to do this? (Matt 9:28)
   • Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole (Luke 8:50)
   • “And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed…through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them…” (Alma 23:6)
     • Come Follow Men, July 8-14: They “Never Did Fall Away” Alma 23-29
     • through the atoning power of Jesus Christ, long-lasting change is possible
     • “When have you felt close to [Jesus Christ]?
       • “the Savior, is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.” (Pres Nelson, Apr 2021 Gen Conf)
   • believeth in Christ, doubting nothing (Mormon 9:21)
   • “…let him ask in faith, nothing waivering…” (James 1:5-6)
   • Ask in Faith by Elder Bednar, April 2008 General Conference
4. Believe Jesus has compassion for me
   • “And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death, giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men – Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men…” (Mosiah 15:8-9)
5. Remember previous miracles
   • Remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam (Mosiah 27:16)
   • Always remember him (Moroni 4:3)
   • “…do ye not remember? When I [Jesus] brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? (Mark 8:18-21)
6. Know miracles come from Hearing and Hearkening to Jesus and acting in faith
   • “…working many mighty miracles among the children of men…” (Mosiah 15:6)
   • There are no magic pots that convert water into wine; it is small acts of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that allow Him to use His power to produce the miracle. (John 2:5-9)
7. Act – Obedience
   • Mary mother of Jesus (John 2:5-9) – His [Jesus] mother [Mary] saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
   • Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Phil 4:9)
   • Naaman washing in river Jordan
   • Do what the Prophet says
   • “…vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.” (Alma 24:18)
8. Did Jesus promise to heal all who come to Him?
   • 3 Nephi 9:13
   • 3 Nephi 18:32
   • Matt 13:15
   • “…I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts…” (Alma 24:8)
   • “…we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby.” (Alma 24:15)
9. Focus upon Jesus
   • “…Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son…And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.” (Luke 9:38,42). I think Jesus was upset with his disciples because they didn’t look unto Jesus but had doubt and fear.
   • Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. (D&C 6:36)
10. Lord is upset with me when I don’t act or make excuses for not doing His will
    • 8.1 – Elijah
    • 8.2 – Brother of Jared – Ether 2:13-14,16
    • 8.3 – Jonah 1:2-3 – Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord
    • 8.4 – Peter
    • 8.5 – Abindi Olsen – Pres Oak’s Grandfather (Reach Out and Climb)

[q] are there things you must always remember?

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[q] are there things you must keep sacred?

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[q] are there things you must never reveal?

1. Mary kept these things in her heart
   • ‘But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart’ by Alice Havers (1850-1890)

As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life.

Let God Prevail, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2020 General Conference

The True Meaning of Christmas Came Through, And The Grinch Found The Strength Of 10 Grinches, Plus Two!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) by Dr. Seuss

4.0 Act in Faith

Third, act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.

Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2021 General Conference

What am I doing as of May 2024 which requires more faith? 1) I moved out to North Carolina to date Mundi, spend time serving my daughter Raquel and heal from my divorce and emotional dependency on Cindy. 2) I started a new business, BarefootBetters.com to manufacture and sell borosilicate glass mason jars and accessories (lids and jackets) for morning green smoothies. 3) I’m studying miracles so I may be a gift to others, especially Shanthi at the gym and gave her the promised miracle of Jesus – that when she gathers her family in prayer and hugs them, her arms will be restored.

What am I doing as of August 2024 which requires more faith? 1) I realized the difficulty of long distance relationships with Mundi as I didn’t want to live in North Carolina and I couldn’t expect Mundi to leave her grandchildren on come to Las Vegas, so instead of going for lose-win, we did no deal. 2) I moved back to Las Vegas and renting a room from the Iverson’s. 3) I’m attending a new ward. 4) I’m staying on the covenant path as I trust in the Lord that he will open the windows of Heaven to me.

It takes great faith to bury your weapons of war as done by the Anti-Nephi Lehies (Alma 24:15-19). So being vulnerable and exposing our heart and feelings to others takes faith.

What is impossible for me but possible with god?

1. Have an eternal family. I’m divorced and my children spread out in USA. How will I gather them? How will I find a wife that is perfect for me? Will I be a strong support to my children or be consumed by my own problems? Will I teach and inspire and be a blessing to my family? Am I a gift for them just like Jesus is a gift to me?
2. Create a home? It took some 25 years to pay off my home. Now I don’t have it and I’m 55 years old and it feels impossible to do it again.
3. Obtain financial freedom.
4. Feel safe with Jesus. Will I let go this extra weight I’m holding on to? Will I drop my excuses of being tired, lonely, and fearful?
5. Will I design, build and manufacture the Lord’s steam engine?
6. Bless Shanthi to have her arms
7. Will I be like Jesus, take his name upon me, wear his clothing, keep his commandments, do his miracles?

Feel Safe with Jesus

What am I hiding from God? Just like Adam and Eve hid from God when they ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and tried to cover their transgression with fig leaf aprons. Do I believe Jesus will reject me because I’m a sinner and not enough? I want to be with him but fearful, so will I just sneak up behind him and touch his robe because I’m unclean? Just like the woman with an issue of blood for 12 years.

…follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins,…

2 Nephi 31:13

What can I do to feel safe with Jesus?

1. Repent, be like the prodigal son and return back to God
2. Open my heart in prayer, sharing all my feelings
3. Love myself, Love God, Love people and have charity for them
4. If I felt safe with Jesus right now, what would I do different than I’m doing? I would practice self love and not beat myself up.
5. “Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.” (Mormon 9:21)

8.1 Elijah hiding in a cave

And [Elijah] came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?…the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 19:9-10

I think the Lord is saying, I didn’t give you the power of my Holy Priesthood, the privilege to speak and act in my holy name, just to have you hide out in a cave.

…And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And [Elijah] said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto [Elijah], Go, return…

1 Kings 19:13-15

8.2 brother of jared living on the beach and not building barges

The Lord chastened the Brother of Jared when they were just living on the beach for four years, not making any progress to cross the ocean to the promised land.

…the Lord did bring Jared and his brethren forth even to that great sea which divideth the lands. And as they came to the sea they pitched their tents…and dwelt in tents upon the seashore for the space of four years. And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord…And the Lord said: Go to work and build…

Ether 2:13-14,16

8.3 jonah and the whale

Jonah was told to preach repentance to the inhabitants of Ninevah but ran away instead.

8.4 peter going fishing after crucification of Jesus

Then Peter, the chief apostle went fishing after the death of Jesus, but this previous life as a fisherman he was to leave behind. His new mission is to surrender his will to God’s will and do God’s bidding.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

John 21:3-5

8.5 climb that cliff

the stranger said, 'I want you to climb that cliff.'
I took another look and then in bewilderment said, 'I can't. It's impossible!'
'How do you know you can't? You haven't tried,' said my guide.
'But anyone can see' - I started to say in objection. But he cut in with, 'Begin climbing. Reach up with your hand - now with your foot.'
As I reached, under orders that I dared not disobey, a niche seemed to open in the solid-rock cliff and I caught hold. Then with my one foot I caught a toehold.
'Now go ahead,' he ordered. 'Reach with your other hand,' and as I did so another place opened up, and to my surprise the cliff began to recede; climbing became easier, and I continued the ascent without difficulty until, suddenly, I found myself lying on my pallet back in my hut. The stranger was gone!
Reach Out and Climb by Elder Dallin H. Oaks