In a sermon
dated 14 August 1853, Brigham Young said the following about Jesus’ turning
water into wine in John 2 which shows he affirmed “miracles” being higher manifestations
of natural law, not miracles going against
nature and logic:
Again, the Saviour changed water into wine,
in the same manner, by commanding the elements. Can that be done by a chemical
process. I admit it can by the persons who understand the process; and that men
can make bread also. As quick as I admit that the history Moses gives of
himself is true, I cannot have any question in the world but what in ancient
days they understood in a measure how to command the elements. The magicians of
Egypt were instructed in things pertaining to true riches, and had obtained keys
and powers enough to produce a bogus in opposition to the true coin, as it
were, and thus they deceived the king and the people. They could cause frogs to
come upon the land, as well as Moses could. They could turn the waters of Egypt
into blood, and in many more things compete with Moses. There was one thing,
however, they could not do, though they produced a very good bogus, but it was
not quite the true coin. When they threw their staffs on the floor before the
king, they could not swallow the staff of Moses, but the staff of Moses
swallowed the staffs of the magicians. I have no doubt that men can perform
many such wonders by the principles of natural philosophy. Again, they can
deceive the inhabitants of the earth, and make them believe that things were
done, which in reality were not. If there were not a true coin in existence,
how could there be a bogus produced? The true coin is what we are after, the
true riches. We are seeking to be made rich in the power of God, so as to be
able to control the elements, and say—"Let there be light," and there
is light; "Let there be water," and there is water; "Let this or
that come," and it cometh; by the power that is within us to command the
elements; and they obey, just as they did the Saviour when he changed the water
into wine, or made bread to feed the multitudes. (JOD 1:270-71)
