His Mighty Miracles

by Susan Easton Black

The New Testament contains within its pages a history of the miraculous works of Jesus Christ. Now, for the first time, a comprehensive chronicle of the Savior’s miracles has been compiled in one inspiring volume. His Mighty Miracles offers readers an instructive and enlightening account of every marvelous act recorded of the Savior, from miracles of a healing and commanding nature to unseen wonders. With a foundation deeply rooted in scriptural and prophetic insights, each biblical account is enhanced by the personal stories of individuals who have experienced modern-day miracles. Discover the rich heritage of extraordinary events wrought by the Savior and learn to recognize the undeniable miracles in your own life.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published October 3, 2022

About the author

Susan Easton Black is a retired professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. She is also an author of several books related to Joseph Smith, Jr. and the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jary Welker · Rating 5 out of 5]

'His Mighty Miracles' is an amazing treatment of the miracles performed by Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry, ending with the grandest of them all; the very Atonement and Resurrection. Intermixed are individual stories of many others detailing their personal experiences of miracles both small and mighty. To the question frequently asked, 'Have miracles ceased?' I add my witness to that of the author, Susan Easton Black, that NO, they have not. We only need have eyes willing to see!

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to it, I didn’t read it. The reader was boring, I didn’t like her voice at all. It made it drag on. I didn’t really feel like I gained much new insight it was just the stories from the Bible along with many other stories from random people, which when the story is being read would be beneficial if it stated it was someone else’s story when they started. I always think it’s the authors story then I’m disappointed to discover “oh guess not”. I think it would have been better read, not heard.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short little book that highlights the 38 miracles of Jesus Christ that are recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We learn something from each of them, and it also reminds us that miracles have not ceased. We can continue to look for them in our day. Here are some favorite quotes:

"'Have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven?... Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.' When my friends and I are asked, 'Have miracles ceased?' we answer with Mormon, 'Nay.' We have each been blessed by miracles both great and small in a very personal recognition of our needs by an all-powerful, merciful God (p. 1)."

"I testify that miracles still happen today. President Russell M. Nelson... advised, 'Learn about miracles.' Wanting to know details of the miracles of Jesus, not just a broad brushstroke that affirmed my testimony, I studied the Savior's miracles. In the Gospels.... are thirty-eight miracles of Jesus written in narrative details... [that] fall into seven categories:
* Jesus heals the afflicted
* Jesus casts out evil spirits and demons
* Jesus raises the dead
* Jesus commands the elements of nature
* Jesus provides food for the multitudes
* Jesus passes unseen
* Jesus achieves universal miracles (p. 2)"

"With the lyricist Charles H. Gabriel, I sing--
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me (p. 3)."

"When Jesus and His disciples arrived in the land of Gennesaret, word of the Lord's presence spread to the 'whole region round about.' Inhabitants rushed to the Savior, bringing their sick, afflicted, and diseased on beds to 'where they heard he was.' 'And withersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole' (p. 5)."

"The leper's faithful request was not uttered in a pretentious manner. His words reveal humility mixed with high expectations. His question was not, 'Does Jesus have power to heal?' It was personal--'Will He heal me?' The question was urgent, for a man with leprosy was viewed as being punished for committing a grievous sin. Jesus, seeing the man full of leprosy, was 'moved with compassion' (p. 9)."

"The centurion asked for no sign but placed the issue in the hands of Jesus (p. 11)."

"'Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.' In his statement, the centurion acknowledged being an outsider and a willingness to spare Jesus the uncomfortable decision of whether or not to enter a gentile residence. 'When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel' (p. 12)."

"The longer I live, the more I see acts of compassion from people around me as the Lord's miracles. People are placed around us to help in our hour of need (p. 14)."

"Although the healed man's gratitude and that of the assembled was not recorded, the reaction of the Pharisees was. Disdain for the compassion and mighty power of Jesus hardened their hearts. They had no degree of reverence or gratitude for the miraculous. From that time forward, 'the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him' (p. 16)."

"'I remember the kindness of family, neighbors, and friends who regularly visit, bring meals, or send messages of encouragement; the medicines and treatments have slowed the cancer's growth; and the 'bonus time' I have spent with her. I realize our family has been blessed with an abundance of miracles for which I am eternally grateful' (p. 18)."

"'The doctor could not refrain from expressing his surprise at the change in the girl's condition over night. The power of the living God rebuked the destroyer' (Heber J. Grant, p. 31)."

"Recognizing Jesus as a miracle worker, St. Mark wrote that 'all the city was gathered together at the door' and that Jesus turned none away. 'He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them,' even those 'possessed with devils' (p. 35)."

"The laws of nature fail to explain how Jesus turned water into wine, walked on waves, calmed a raging storm, and withered a fig tree. Such miracles lie beyond the scope of natural law and beyond the power of man to comprehend without a testimony of the power of Jesus. Such events are an interference with nature--an interruption--not a break or change of the law (p. 57)."

"I was hosting a woman from the Korean national television who wanted to interview a Latter-day Saint family. The young father turned to his wife and asked, 'What do you think?' She shrugged as if to say, 'It's up to you.' He turned to me and said, 'We would be happy to do that. I served my mission in Seoul' (p. 70)."

"'We called a refugee we had met on the bus two weeks earlier who loved God and loved coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. Life for him had been incredibly unstable as he tried to find security in a new country. He spent most of his time looking for his next meal. When we arrived at his apartment with the boxes of food, he broke into tears and said in broken English, 'My sisters, this is beyond my imagination.' I knew that day God had orchestrated this miracle and that He has a plan for His children' (p. 73)."

"Like feeding the five thousand, more leftovers were gathered at the end than were prepared at the beginning. This was truly a miracle (p. 75)."

"'Everyone in front of me and, as far as I could tell, everyone behind me was pulled aside. The Lord had prepared the way for me to walk unseen so that I could deliver the laptops to faithful students in need' (p. 79)."

"The Atonement and Resurrection go well beyond the meridian of time. In a manner incomprehensible to mortal man, Jesus took upon Himself the burden of sorrow, suffering, and sin of all mankind from the days of Adam to the end of time and conquered death. The universality of the Atonement and Resurrection have bearing on us all. As beneficiaries of the universal miracles, we will rise from the dust of the earth free from the shackles of sorrow and sin to be with our loved ones and our Father in Heaven (p. 83)."

"The honest in heart listened and rejoiced in the knowledge that death was conquered and Jesus had won the victory (p. 88)."

"No petition was too small for Jesus (p. 92)."

"'God sends miracles when we least expect. We need only to notice' (p. 93)."

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, which focuses on the New Testament, is short but nicely arranged. Easton Black groups Christ's miracles into seven categories, which adds some insight that reading through the scriptures from start to finish does not give. The drawback is that commentary is minimal and the modern day anecdotes sometimes only loosely relate to the scriptures summarized.
Easton Black summarizes multiple scriptural accounts in the following groups:
Jesus heals the afflicted
Jesus casts out evil spirits and demons
Jesus raises the dead
Jesus commands the elements of nature
Jesus provides food for the multitudes
Jesus passes unseen
Jesus achieves universal miracles (the Atonement and Resurrection)
Each section contains all of the New Testament accounts in each category, followed by a modern day story that relates to the miracle. The modern day stories are from lay members and some are very moving. Scriptural accounts are paraphrased or summarized, with a bit of commentary on each account such as cultural or personality insight or significance of the event. One example is the cursing of the fig tree. Easton Black comments that the tree signified Israel, making the curse symbolic of the state of Israel in relation to Christ's coming.
The organization of the book allows readers to compare the accounts but the author does not make larger conclusions. The various accounts are nicely written but not deeply analytical. It makes for a quick read.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has increasing relevance in light of the statistics that seem to indicate fewer of us believe the miracles recorded in the New Testament are literal or real. It's a good compendium of Christ's miracles as listed in the four gospels of the New Testament. It is excellently written. The author comes down resoundingly on the side of the reality of Christ's miracles. Based on her writing, in her heart and mind, these are not fairytales or foolish fables. They happened as the original writers claimed.

Black divides the chapters into the various types of miracles Christ did. There's an entire chapter devoted to the times he raised people from the dead, for example.

Adjacent to the author's summary of the ancient miracles are stories of modern miracles people experienced in our day.

I finished this in an hour, but it was an excellent hour that drew me closer to the Savior and helped me remember His magnificent work when he was here--a work that has only begun.

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has carefully and apparently thoroughly delineated, categorized, and told the stories of all the Savior's miracles with thorough scriptural references making this an excellent reference book when studying the New Testament. After the story of each miracle, there is presented briefly a story of a modern day miracle which has some similarity to the New Testament miracle. The book is a reminder that the Savior's love and tender mercies abound if we recognize them.

[LMoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading through Jesus's miracles with Susan Easton Black's added insights. I like how she shares a miracle wrought by Jesus and then shares a modern day miracle from the lives of people she knows. Truly, with God, nothing is impossible.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for New Testament related readings, so I listened to this one. It was good and appreciated the authors selection of latter-day miracles big and small. I do marvel
at the New Testament recording the power of Christ Truly The Healer!!

[Myrl Breinholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Mighty Miracles features miracles the Savior performed here during His ministry. Alongside each of those miracles are individuals' accounts of miracles they have witnessed in their lives. Some of these were long awaited and others were unexpected. May we all have eyes to see those in our lives.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid accounting of Christ’s miracles but mostly nothing new beyond a few unique perspectives. The most interesting aspect is the juxtaposition of biblical and modern testimonies with the testimony of the author that God remains a God of miracles as taught by the prophet Moroni.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, I have already read it twice!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the juxtaposition of ancient miracles with modern miracles. It was interesting learning about some incidents that I hadn't heard before.

[Dail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recounting of the miracles that Jesus performed during his life.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way she organized this book. With miracles of old and more recent ones.