Oct 6, 2024

In 3 Nephi, we find the account of Christ’s visit to the people in the Americas after His crucifixion. He taught them and ministered to them. But when it was time for Him to leave, Christ could tell that the people wanted Him to “tarry a little longer with them” (3 Nephi 17:5). Although He had other important work to do for the Father, the Savior showed compassion and love by staying with them. 

Christ performed many miracles during this extra time He spent with the people. He “cast his eyes round about again on the multitude” (3 Nephi 17:5) and then asked if there were any among them who were sick. The people brought those who were ill forward, and Christ took the time to administer to those who were “lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that [were] withered, or that [were] deaf, or that [were] afflicted in any manner” (3 Nephi 17:7). He had compassion for them and healed them. 

Miracles happen when we serve with compassion. 

When Wilford Woodruff was serving his mission in England, he met a woman named Mary Pitt who “had not walked except on crutches for 11 years.” Elder Woodruff baptized Mary on March 31, 1840. A few weeks later, on May 18, 1840, he and others gave Mary a blessing of healing. In a letter to his wife, Phebe, Elder Woodruff described the “notable miracle wrought upon . . . Mary Pitt.” He recounted, “[She] was confined in bed 6 years and has not walked for 11 years only upon crutches. Elders Young, Richards and myself laid hands upon her and she was healed and now walks upright without a crutch or staff.” Elder Woodruff took the time to minister with compassion, just as Christ had done for the people in the Americas. 

Christ’s ministry was one of service. Healing the people who were brought to Him led to a spiritual outpouring, and Christ said, “Behold, my joy is full” (3 Nephi 17:20). We can follow the examples of Christ and President Woodruff and minister with love and compassion.

Will we always see miracles like the one received by Mary Pitt? No, but miracles come in all shapes and sizes. We only need to watch for them. In his April 2022 general conference talk, President Russell M. Nelson urged members to “seek and expect miracles.” He said, “The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him. . . . Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith.”

If we follow the example of the Savior and of President Woodruff and serve with compassion, we can also say that our “joy is full.”

Michelle graduated from Utah State University–Eastern in 1995 with an associate degree in Graphic Design. After serving in the Guatemala, Guatemala North Mission from 1996 to 1998, she continued her education at Utah Valley University, graduating in 1999 with an associate degree in Paralegal Studies and in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management and an emphasis in Graphic Design. She worked as a paralegal for two years before having her children and becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. Her two children are now in college. Not wanting to let her children suffer through college alone, Michelle went back to school and is now attending Utah Tech University, working on her master’s in Technical Writing and Digital Rhetoric. Michelle loves the gospel, family history, and the temple. She and her husband enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time together. She is excited to be a volunteer with the Wilford Woodruff Papers.

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.