The Glory be Thine

In comparing two miracles of Peter to Paul it is interesting to see the results of the general populace, particularly  how the wording used during the physical miracle made a huge difference in the spiritual outcome.

Acts 9:32-35

"And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

"And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

"And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

"And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."

Compared to:

Acts 14:8-13,18-19

"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

"The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

"Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

"And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

"And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

"Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people

...

"And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

"And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and , having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."

In Peter's miracle he explicitly acknowledged that Christ was performing the miracle, and he was simply the vessel or instrument through which it happened. The result was that the whole city believed and became followers of Christ. In Paul's miracle there is no immediate mention of Christ, and so the people forget about the one true God, and Jesus Christ. They see Paul and Barnabas as gods, and so they come out with garlands to make to sacrifice to them. After Paul rebukes them for doing so they change their mind about offering sacrifices to them and instead decide to stone him. Instead of the people coming closer to Christ, they distance themselves further by stoning and casting out leaders in Christ's church. I don't think Paul was in the wrong here, however if he had acknowledged Christ while preforming the miracle the actions of the people might have been different, and maybe more would've come unto Christ rather than completely rejecting him as a whole.

So what's the reason for the differences in results? Peter leaves no room for the people to worship him, or take any credit for the miracle. Paul and Barnabas leave plenty of room for the people to completely miss the mark and interpret the miracle in whatever way they would like, and they do so by acclaiming Paul and Barnabas as "gods [who have] come down ... in the likeness of men."

In like manner, when God preforms a miracle through us, it is easy for us to forget to vocalize that the glory is God's, and acknowledge His hand in all things. Sometimes it is because we want to place ourselves on a little pedestal. But if we even think about taking any of the glory for ourselves then as Elder Bednar informs us, we are in the wrong, are practicing priestcraft, and need to repent. ..."For, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." (2 Ne 26:29). Anything we do in God's name, through his priesthood or by the spirit we should do with an eye single to his glory, and seek only for the welfare of Zion.