This week I chose to focus on the Savior's miracle of feeding the multitudes.

Choice 1: Matthew 14:14–21; 15:32–38. The Feeding of the Multitudes

1. The Savior provided two similar miracles. As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	In verse 14 it talks about there being a "great multitude" and later it says there were 5,000 men beside women and children.	4,000 men beside women and children.
What did they need?	In Mark it talks about how the people needed a shepard because they were like sheep without guidance.	It seems that the people wanted to be with the Savior.  They followed him and were healed.  They wanted to hear his teachings and learn from him.
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	This account states there were five loaves of bread and two fish.	There were seven loaves of bread and a few fish.
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	The Savior was "moved with compassion toward them".  He also commanded that the food be brought before him and told the multitude to sit. He taught that we would provide for the people and take care of them.	In this account we read that again the Savior has compassion but he also shows concern that they are hungry because they have been with him for 3 days. He states that he doesn't want them to fast any longer.
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	He blessed and broke the food and they were filled.	They all ate and were full, they took up the broken meat,

1. In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord the insufficiency was overcome. Read Romans 3:23 and explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God. According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency?  

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"

Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

We will all fall short without the help of the Savior.  Without his atoning sacrifice, no one would be able to return to the father unspotted.  The Savior makes up the difference for us. He is the bridge that allows us to cross over to be with our father.  He takes our shortcomings, and sins and makes them enough just as he made the bread and the fish be enough.  

We all  have weakness.  If it wasn't for weaknesses we would have no reason to progress and become better.  The Savior is the one that can help up overcome this. Usually weakness requires that we be forgiven at one time or another.  It also can lead to sin.  The Savior affords us his grace and mercy.  If we reach out to him, in humility, he will take upon him our sins.  He will also make our weaknesses strengths, and provide ways for us to become strong. Again he makes the shortcomings enough.  He fills in the gaps and can perform miracles in our life.