The Savior said: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign” (Matthew 12:39; 16:4). But one who seeks for a sign is different than one whom the Lord chooses to give signs. The eighth characteristic of a prophet, given in these chapters, is that God gives signs when they are nec essary. Nephi called his first disclosure of the high priest’s assassination a sign (Helaman 9:24 above). The Savior called the Prophet Jonas a sign of “the Son of man [being] three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). This was stated at the time of his chastising the scribes and Pharisees for seeking a sign. Elijah gave a sign to the prophets of Baal in mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:17–40). The viper that fastened itself to Paul, and he was not affected by it, was a sign given to the people on the island of Melita (see Acts 28:1–6). The Prophet Joseph Smith confirmed the Savior’s teaching of a sign seeker.
“When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign. I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. “It is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptized” (Feb. 9, 1843). [TPJS, 278]
However, the healing of the sick is a sign of the person’s sins being forgiven.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [James 5:14–15]
The Lord chooses when and to whom his servants give signs.