A few years ago, my hometown in California was threatened by a wildfire.
A rare summer storm had moved through the area, producing more than 12,000 lightning strikes and sparking fires across the state.
Over the course of a week, one fire grew and moved until it was about 6 miles from my hometown, where my parents and countless friends and former ward members live.
While the town was still in “warning” mode, the worst news came – ANOTHER rare storm was coming that weekend.
It was going to bring strong winds that would blow right towards the town, and this storm had a 100% chance to produce countless lightning.
The situation was dire.
The warnings shifted to mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of people as the coming storm was expected to bring that fire right to town limits, and new lightning strikes would add additional chaos.
And so the stake presidency called for a day of fasting and prayer.
Word spread, and members of the town, both church members and those of other faiths, joined in special prayers that Sabbath.
They braced for the worst, but faced the future with faith.
And on Monday, the town released a statement: “The storm that was forecasted did not develop as anticipated, which is positive”.
The winds that had been forecasted and threatened the entire town, never came.
The giant forecast storm resulted in less than 400 total strikes, and no consequential fires.
By Monday evening, in a totally unexpected move, the orders were completely lifted and everyone could return back home.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
The town Facebook page lit up with testimony after testimony of people sharing their gratitude to God and their feelings of unity during the fast.
And yet, sprinkled throughout those posts were comments such as, “You really think that your prayers caused all this?”
Miracles are real. They happened just as Samuel prophesied, and they happen today.
And just as in times of old, WE decide if we are going to believe.
Because miracles are explained away by nonbelievers, and completely life-changing for those who do believe.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
