When the Savior walked the earth He performed many miracles that healed the sick, increased the faith of those healed, and increased the faith of those who observed or heard of the events. Jesus enabled the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the blind to see. Many miracles described in the scriptures had very obvious outcomes; for example, the blind who requested a miracle in faith had their vision restored. When healed, these children of God more fully enjoyed God's creation.

Courtesy Visual Resources

Prayer and faith have preceded miracles in ancient and modern times.

Some miracles have less obvious outcomes that many don't recognize as miracles at all.

I was born 37 years ago with partial vision that isn't correctable with glasses, contacts or surgery. Like many disabled individuals, I never let my disability stop me from enjoying life. I married, had six beautiful children, acquired a college education and participated in many events that others thought impossible. However, I have always wanted to see like others to more fully enjoy the visual beauty of this world.

After joining the Church at age 18 I became aware of the power of the priesthood and the opportunity of receiving a priesthood blessing and perhaps a miracle. I dreamed about what it would be like to see, how it would change my life and how amazing it would be to be like and see like others.

After my baptism, I had the opportunity of attending the dedication of the Seattle Washington Temple where President Spencer W. Kimball, the first prophet of God I was familiar with, would perform the temple dedication.

I prepared a small note in the hope that I might have the opportunity to pass it to President Kimball asking for a blessing from God to heal my vision. When I went to leave the sealing room, where I participated in the dedication, President Kimball passed in the hallway just outside the door. I wanted to extend my arm, shake his hand and pass him my note. I felt constrained not to do so, and have wondered why for years. Was it because I must live with and learn from my vision, was it because I would later have the chance to be healed, or was it because I was supposed to have enough faith in my local leaders or home teachers and the priesthood they hold? The full answer to these questions may have to wait until I have the chance to ask my Creator, but some answers have come through experiences like the following.

One of God's creations I have had difficulty fully enjoying is the beauty of birds. I have seen them on television, movies and books, but see very little of their beauty in real life. I see birds only when they are moving from one tree or phone line to another against a bright sky. In these situations they are nothing but small black objects against bright backdrops. They make beautiful music, but no color, no grace; just quick, black, flittering objects moving through the bright sky.

On one occasion my wife, our four oldest children, and I had the opportunity to go to Rainier National Park in the fall. The leaves were falling, the air was crisp and clear, the sun was bright, and the park was virtually deserted. We stopped for a rest and as my wife took the children to the rest room I sat at a picnic bench. While sitting at the bench I heard many birds singing in the tall pines, and saw the small black objects float from tree to tree. While watching this event and wishing I could see their beauty I prayed aloud to Heavenly Father requesting that He heal my vision and enable me to see these gorgeous creatures. Like so many Jesus met during His earthly ministry, all I wanted was for my vision to be healed. What I received was a miracle, but not what I expected, and I have since learned why.

As I prayed aloud a beautiful bird landed on my hand directly in front of my face. The bird was not more than six inches from my face. For the first time in the wild I could see a bird; it looked at me and I looked at it. The bird turned around and let me enjoy its great beauty. I continued to talk to the birds and to Heavenly Father. I thanked Him for this opportunity and as I did many more birds of all varieties came to my table. The only birds I could put a name to were Blue Jays, but all of them were as beautiful as any I had seen in the media. I was actually seeing the beauty of birds, but perhaps more important I felt the Spirit of God as my prayer was answered with a miracle.

I prayed that I might share this experience with my family and as they returned the birds remained. We all sat there playing with the birds, thanking Heavenly Father and enjoying Heavenly Father's great and beautiful creation.

I know that Heavenly Father blessed my family and me with a miracle. However, for many years I have wondered why I didn't stretch forth my hand to President Kimball and why Heavenly Father chose to bring the birds to me instead of healing my vision as was done to many others while Jesus was performing His earthly ministry.

I have had several opportunities to share this special story with others. In the summer of 1999 I had the opportunity to go to Scout camp with my oldest son, many boys I consider to be my friends and some dear friends who were there as Scout leaders. One evening while the leaders and I were out in a meadow trying to observe some deer I remembered the experience I had in the temple with President Kimball and wondered why I didn't ask for a blessing. I shared with them the sacred experience I had in Rainier National Park and discussed the fact that I wanted my eyes healed, not for the birds to come within my limited vision. The following morning one of the leaders shared with me his feelings and the Spirit bore witness that it was the truth. He stated that my vision and the way I deal with it has been a great example for many people. I haven't tried to impress others or even set an example, but simply live a life as normal as possible. If my vision had been completely restored many years ago, I wouldn't have had hundreds of experiences that have evidently influenced and affected others.

I am grateful for my partial sight and other blessings I have received from Heavenly Father. I am grateful that I was allowed a close-up view of what is normal for others, and a good friend, who with the power of the Spirit, answered many of my lifelong questions in a few simple words. As in the New Testament, miracles occur to benefit the person the miracle is directed toward, but also to build the faith of others.

J. Kelly Flanagan, a BYU associate professor of computer science serving as associate chair of the Computer Science Department, is a member of the Cherry Hill 9th Ward, Orem Utah Cherry Hill Stake, where he is a priests quorum adviser.