The question I want to ask is: How did Christ perform miracles? Was it just because He was the Son of God? While there's no denying that He was perfect, and thus the perfect example of all things, He was not the only person given power to do miracles such as healing the sick and casting out devils. The prophets throughout the Old Testament performed miracles, as did the prophets and apostles during the time of Christ. What they all had in common was the authority, given them by God, to preach the Gospel {Article of Faith 6}. A result of that authority is receiving gifts of the Spirit. As in all things, Christ was the perfect example: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;`for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).
The abilities to prophecy, heal, see visions, and so on are manifestations of gifts of the Spirit. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit . . . covet earnestly the best gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:4, 31). Different gifts may be given to different people, but we are all encouraged to attain more. This cannot be for worldly power or personal gain. It must be in pursuit of serving God, for that is the only way God will allow us to use His power, through the Holy Ghost, to bless His children.
Are gifts of the Spirit just for prophets and apostles? Nope! Seeking after these gifts is a righteous desire. Consider this story from the days of Moses: There were two regular, ordinary men in the camp, "and the spirit rested upon them . . . and they prophesied" (Numbers 11:26). One of Moses' servants, when he heard, told Moses to make them stop. "And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29).
So can miracles still happen today? Are gifts of the spirit available to us, now? I cannot say it with enough emphasis: DEFINITELY! The prophets and apostles did mighty miracles; Jesus Christ did mighty miracles; God is a God of miracles—So why not now? God is unchanging, thus, He is and always will be a God of miracles.
While God does not change, we must admit that man does change. Frequently. On a daily, even hourly, basis. We doubt. We fear. We worry. We second guess ourselves. You get the gist.
"The reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.
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 9:20-21).
Belief leads to action. Faith leads to baptism. And then the Lord has promised: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18).
When I read a promise like that in the scriptures, I believe it. The stories in the Bible and the Book of Mormon are examples that I can use and apply in my life. Scripture is not meant to tell us of things that once were and never will be again. They are meant to help us better understand God, the Gospel, and how to live now so that we can someday return to live with Him. Despite the span of generations separating us from the authors, the principles are still true, the Gospel is still true. That will never change, and it is my testimony that when we follow the prescribed steps, partaking of the ordinances by those with authority, then the gifts of the Spirit are made manifest as promised.
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