Nauvoo Ryan Ballantyne

Faith to Move Mountains

I have been thinking about the faith our pioneer ancestors had. I have several ancestors that were in Nauvoo at the time the Prophet, Joseph Smith, was martyred.

One of them is Julia Ann Taylor. Her husband was asked to lead a handcart company headed to Utah. I thought of her bringing small children across the plains while her husband was busy helping other families. I wondered if Julia knew Lucy Mack Smith or Emma. While studying I read a talk given by Lucy Mack Smith. I want to be like her! I relate to her and admire her faith and spunk!

In her talk she says:

“Where is your faith? Where is your confidence in God? Do you know that all things are in his hands? How can you expect the Lord to prosper you when you are continually murmuring against him?”

Lucy Mack Smith


Wow! What faith she had and what confidence and bravery she had to speak up and remind others to have faith in God.

In our latest General Conference the prophet spoke about the power of faith. He said “My dear brothers and sisters, my call to you this Easter morning is to start today to increase your faith. Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.”


President Nelson continues:

“Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. That takes work. Lazy learners and lax disciples will always struggle to muster even a particle of faith.”

Russell M Nelson

I had to ask if I have the faith Momma Smith or Julia Taylor had. Sometimes I build up the mountains in my life through continually murmuring. Am I building mountains through complaining or do I have the faith needed to move mountains? Am I a lazy learner?

How have you been exercising faith to move the mountains in your life?

Photo Cred: Ryan Ballantyne


Camille

Camille is happily married to her husband for almost 26 years now! Together, they are trying hard to survive raising their five kids. She has two adult children, two teenagers, and an 8-year-old.  She has started her 18th year of homeschooling and is still trying to figure things out!

As a stay-at-home mom, Camille’s favorite things are reading books, electric blankets, writing, working on her “very little farm”, and dancing while doing the dishes. She needs to trademark her “mom dance” that the kids love to mock her over.

Camille is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is always wearing out her copy of the conference talks. When she is not in an apron or highlighting the latest book she is reading, Camille spends time taking kids to music lessons, debate tournaments, gymnastics classes, and wrestling competitions.  

 One of Camille’s greatest achievements is losing 75 pounds in the year 2020 and is on the way to releasing the last 25 pounds in 2021.

Camille currently resides in Utah, USA with her family.

You can connect with Camille on InstagramFacebook, or on her Website.