I’ve thought this for a long time.

I mean, It’s hard to believe that everyone won’t immediately want to repent after we all die.

There have been a lot of theories as to how exactly things will play out in the next life.

But Jacob reminds us in his sermon that “. . . they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still.” (2 Nephi 9:16)

In other words, circumstances won’t magically change our hearts.⁣

How many times have I fallen for that trap, though?⁣

I’ve thought, “I’ll be better at reading my scriptures once it’s fall break.⁣”

“I’ll be a better ministering sister once I’ve got my life under control.⁣”

“I’ll attend the temple more once my kids are older.⁣”

Now to be clear, there certainly are “seasons of life” where some things will be easier for us than others.

I’m in a ridiculously busy phase of life where I am constantly needed by lots of (mostly little) people.

But I had the spiritual impression recently that maybe I’ve been relying on that crutch a little bit more than I truly need to.

Because when we are always waiting for the proverbial grass to be greener to change our habits…

We miss out on having a mighty change of heart and the sacred personal growth that comes with it.⁣

So what have we been putting off?

What can we tackle today to align our wills even more closely with God’s?⁣

Let’s make some little changes today, and the next day, and the next!

That way, when we meet our Maker, we will present Him with a pure heart that is still ready to change for the better.

“We may not yet be where we hope and wish to be in the future…. In the meantime, we live now, not waiting for life to begin.” – Gerrit W. Gong

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Waiting for the grass to be greener  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Which wouldn’t normally be a big deal because I had studied music my whole life— and this class was EXTREMELY easy music theory. ⁣

The professor started the class by saying, “Alright, the test scores from your exam in the testing center last week were pretty good!”⁣

My heart sank. ⁣

I hadn’t taken any test. There wasn’t anything in the syllabus about this.

I had missed one of three exams that my class grade would be based on. ⁣

At the end of the lecture class, I sheepishly walked up to my professor’s podium. ⁣

I took full responsibility for my mistake and asked him if there was anything I could do for even partial credit. ⁣

He looked at me for a moment…

And he said, “My office hours are from 1-3 tomorrow afternoon. If you can be there, you can take the test in my office.”⁣

I thanked him profusely and took the test in his office the following day. ⁣

When I checked my score online a few days later, I saw that I had received 100% on the exam. ⁣

I was so grateful for my professor’s GRACE in allowing me to take an exam after the testing period had closed, something that was completely my fault. ⁣

But I was also grateful for his JUSTICE in scoring the exam, where I was given full credit for every question that I got correct. ⁣

I noticed that in 2 Nephi 9, Jacob praises God for His “mercy and grace” (v8) AND says, “O the greatness and the justice of our God!” (v17)⁣

We praise God for offering us His MERCY when we don’t do what we are supposed to, and feel full sorrow for it. ⁣

We praise God for offering us JUSTICE when we are actually doing our best, giving us credit for our intentional good deeds.

Both justice and mercy are the kindest things that our God can offer us, and only He is the perfect example of knowing when to extend each gift.

“How great, how glorious, how complete

Redemption’s grand design,

Where justice, love, and mercy meet

In harmony divine!”

-“How Great the Wisdom and the Love”, Hymn 195

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Mercy and justice for a college class first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’m fine!

I can handle it!

Unfortunately, this habit also spills over to my prayers.

My brain thinks it is selfish to pray and ask for comfort.

It seems like such a frivolous thing to ask for.

I’m fine.

I can handle it.

And yet, I know that my Savior has said:

“I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you.” (2 Nephi 8:12)  

He wants to comfort me!

He’s there with the offer.

And I don’t need to be perfect or totally righteous to ask for this peace and love.

…But I do need to ask.

Do we trust that the Lord can actually comfort us?

And do we trust that asking for comfort isn’t selfish?

Even more than a good friend, I’ve learned that Jesus knows I often need support and love.

I just need to know that I’m not alone.

I want to feel divine rest.

And I need to know that I will get through my rough times.

Our Savior knows our experiences and feelings perfectly.

And He wants to give us comfort, if we just remember to ask.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I don’t need any help first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.