Mountains and Mustard Seeds

"Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the 

unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

The other day I was doing Personal Progress (a program designed to develop temporal and spiritual talents of LDS young women) with my daughter, and as we read one particular talk on the subject of faith, this quote stood out:

“‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove’ (Matthew 17:20). I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith, I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude.”  --Richard E. Edgley

Previous to this I have always considered this scripture about those who have faith like a mustard seed being able to move mountains, very literal.  I still know true faith can move mountains, however, now I view that scripture in a much more practical and applicable way to our life day in and day out.  Interestingly, I do not necessarily think it will be any less difficult than moving a real mountain!  

Let me explain.  This new, spiritual and emotional understanding and meaning of this scripture now applies to almost every aspect of our lives: to relationships, to discouragement, to our attitudes, to everyday encounters, to overcoming our weaknesses, and in having faith that no matter our circumstances, things can and do change for the better!  Edgley's first example involves moving a "mountain of doubt and despair" into "hope and optimism".  Then, a "mountain of sin" being "replaced with repentance and forgiveness".  Next, faith moving "a mountain of pain" and replacing it "with peace, hope, and gratitude."  

This made me think: What is our mountain??  What seems to be so overbearing, so overwhelming, so  daunting and impossible, that it looms over us emotionally or spiritually, like a mountain that could never be moved?  Then comes this truth:  "Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours."

This is both empowering and intimidating!  No matter where we find ourselves, no matter what we encounter, our faith in the Savior, His gospel, His Atonement, can move ANY mountain we face.  Do we believe this?  In thinking of what our "mountain" we now face is, are we able to apply our FAITH, our BELIEF in Jesus Christ and His power, to help us move it?  Just as I first viewed the faith as a mustard seed scripture, I think I tend to view most things in life as literal and usually look for my ultimate solution to a problem, relationship, or weakness, in studying a certain area and acquiring and applying secular knowledge.  Of course I pray about it, I look for answers in the scriptures, I believe God will help me, but maybe I lean too much on what I think I should do, an important step, yes, but I probably rely less on my faith that truly it is God who can get me through.  Again, I know this, but I don't always ACT like I know this!

The Savior knows what we face.  He KNOWS our grief and our battles.  He has literally FELT what WE FEEL, right now, in our mountain of struggle or growth.  Again, do we BELIEVE this??  And if we believe and have faith in this principle, are we ACTING on it?  Because belief only gets us so far.  The application of our faith is what brings the MIRACLES!  Applying true faith, balanced with doing our all, knowing Christ is aware of and loves us and WILL HELP US, that is what moves our mountains ! 

In conclusion, this sums up this amazing talk on faith.  For faith is a test of this life.  Will we believe, even when things don't always make sense to our temporal minds?  Richard Edgley states:    

"There is much that I do not know. I do not know the details of the organization of matter into the beautiful world we live in. I do not understand the intricacies of the Atonement, how the Savior’s sacrifice can cleanse all repentant people, or how the Savior could suffer 'the pain of all men' (D&C 18:11)….I do not know why my beliefs sometimes conflict with assumed scientific or secular knowledge...  But while I don’t know everything, I know the important. I know the plain and simple gospel truths that lead to salvation and exaltation. I know that the Savior did suffer the pain of all men and that all repentant people can be cleansed from sin. And what I don’t know or don’t completely understand, with the powerful aid of my faith, I bridge the gap and move on, partaking of the promises and blessings of the gospel. And then, as Alma teaches, our faith brings us to a perfect knowledge (see Alma 32:34). By moving forward into the unknown, armed only with hope and desire, we show evidence of our faith and our devotion to the Lord."

I want to CHOOSE FAITH!  I want to BELIEVE in spite of what I see with my earthly eyes, or feel in my earthly heart.  I know believing in the power of Jesus Christ can and will move any mountains we face!