Causality or Causation

The Prophet Joseph Smith said the following: "It is better to save a man than raise one from the dead." I would like to argue just one point on performing miracles with this statement as the premise. First, everything we do is cause and effect. So, I would say that IF we are not anxiously engaged in the work of God i.e. helping (even in the smallest way) our brothers and sisters lead more fruitful lives then we will never be worthy to even see a miracle, let alone perform one.

Consider D&C 130:20-21

After the Resurection

When Christ visited the Nephites after His Resurrection, He said: “Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. “Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy” (3 Nephi 17:6–7).

Near the Sea

During His mortal ministry, Jesus went up into the mountain near the Sea of Galilee. “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: “Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30–31).

MATTHEW CHAPTER 7

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

John Chapter 14

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

ST JOHN CHAPTER 14

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that a believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall a ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Miracle Defined

An extraordinary event caused by the power of God. Miracles are an important element in the work of Jesus Christ. They include healings, restoring the dead to life, and resurrection. Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith is necessary in order for miracles to be manifested (Mark 6: 5-6; Morm. 9: 10-20; Ether 12: 12).

When Pharaoh shall speak, Shew a miracle, Ex. 7: 9. No man which shall do a miracle in my name can lightly speak evil of me, Mark 9: 39. Cana was the place where Jesus performed his first miracle, John 2: 11. I am a God of miracles, 2 Ne. 27: 23. The power of God works miracles, Alma 23: 6. Christ could show greater miracles to those on the American continent because they had great faith, 3 Ne. 19: 35. God has not ceased to be a God of miracles, Morm. 9: 15. Require not miracles, except the Lord shall command you, D&C 24: 13-14. To some is given the gift of working miracles, D&C 46: 21 (Moro. 10: 12).