When Science Meets the Spirit: Believing in the Unseen Power of the Lord

Sometimes, when you’re studying the scriptures, or even just talking with friends about what it means to be a disciple, you run into this tension. We live in a wonderfully technological age, one where every mystery seems solvable with an algorithm or a scientific paper. It’s tempting to fit every divine event into a neat, rational box.

But what happens when the divine—the sheer, overwhelming power of the Lord—refuses to be neatly categorized? What happens when the Spirit whispers something that defies our current understanding of physics or biology?

I was thinking this week about a little story I came across—a modern retelling of a classic moment of faith. It speaks directly to something vital for us as disciples: the willingness to *believe* when the evidence seems purely natural.

The story highlights a pastor trying to explain the crossing of the Red Sea using only modern science. It’s a common trap, isn't it? Trying to rationalize the profound power of the Atonement, or the miracles of the Savior, down to mere natural occurrences. But the punchline—the moment the elderly woman stands up and continues to praise, even after being told it wasn't miraculous—is where the Spirit hits you.

It’s a powerful reminder that our faith isn't meant to be an academic exercise; it’s meant to be a lived experience. It’s about choosing to praise the Lord *because* of what He did, not *despite* what He did.

The Discipline of Seeing Miracles

As we gather Israel, we are constantly being asked to exercise our faith. We are being asked to move beyond simply *knowing* doctrines to actively *feeling* the reality of God’s power in our lives and in the lives of our investigators.

Think about the Savior’s words in Matthew 9:29: “And he laid on their hands and said unto them, According to your faith let it be done unto you.” He didn't say, "According to your understanding let it be done." He spoke directly to the capacity of faith.

This isn't just for the pulpit or the temple; this is for our daily missionary discussions. When an investigator raises a tough question—one that seems to have a purely rational answer—we must remember the Spirit’s guidance. We can’t just give the textbook answer; we have to share the testimony that defies the textbook.

If we are going to be effective Internet missionaries, we must be comfortable pointing people toward the miraculous—the power of covenants, the reality of the resurrected Christ, the undeniable power of the gospel. We must be willing to believe in *more* than what our current understanding allows.

A Thought for Our Study

This concept of faith—believing in the unseen—is something I’ve been pondering lately while reviewing some of the teachings on the nature of God. If you’re looking for deeper dives into scriptural miracles or the nature of divine power, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod author's writings on this topic, available in LivingBook. They really challenge you to think bigger!

If you want to work on strengthening that muscle of faith, I invite you to join our next Disciple Challenge this week. It’s a low-stakes, high-reward way to practice sharing testimonies that touch the heart, not just the intellect. It's a perfect way to prepare for those moments when you need to testify of the Lord's power!

Remember, brothers and sisters, we are called to be disciples *anywhere*, *all the time*. Let’s commit to believing in the magnificent, limitless power of our Heavenly Father.