He teaches the Zoramites to cry unto God wherever they may be – refuting their claims that they couldn’t worship due to being cast out of the synagogues. ⁣

Pray anywhere and pray everywhere. ⁣

Have your heart drawn out in prayer continually to Him. ⁣

But then he goes into the most important part of his sermon:⁣

“Do no suppose this is all;⁣

“For after ye have done all these things [praying everywhere], if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance… to those in need…⁣

“YOUR PRAYER IS IN VAIN.” (Alma 34:28)⁣

What a humbling lesson. ⁣

We can’t pray for other people to feel more love, and then ignore them.

We can’t pray for peace in the world, and then share divisive articles that demonize “the other side”.⁣

We can’t pray for our children to change in some way, and then not adjust anything at home to facilitate the change.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but I think sometimes we have to own up to the fact that we’ve prayed for a result, and then done nothing to achieve that result.

Or maybe we’ve even worked against it. ⁣

That’s what Amulek calls being a hypocrite. ⁣

Yikes. ⁣

(Sometimes there are situations where we literally can’t do anything else other than pray though, and I fully believe that God can still make miracles happen.)

So, as with all things, the best way to repent for past hypocritical actions is to change moving forward. ⁣

What’s a prayer in your heart right now?⁣

Maybe it’s for yourself, or for your family, or for your community, or for the world. ⁣

“Pray as if everything depended on God, work as though everything depended on you”. – Saint Ignatius

If you’ve got the first half of the equation down, and you are realllly good at praying fervently about it, that is beautiful!⁣

And now might be a great time to think about how you can act to make it happen. ⁣

What’s something you can do TODAY in order to move that desire forward? ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Pray and act  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I watered it once.⁣

And then I forgot about it and it died.

The end. ⁣

Was I shocked that it died?

Absolutely not.

I had done nothing to nourish that poor little plant. ⁣

Just like this short-lived plant, Alma asks us to consider if we are NOURISHING or NEGLECTING our seeds of faith.

“If ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root.” (Alma 32:38)

From a logical standpoint, it makes sense.⁣

If we do nothing to nourish our testimony every day, it will eventually wither away.

⁣But when we are actually down in the trenches and living life, it seems easy to lose sight of this logic!

We get tired.

We get busy.

Or we get a little complacent.

That’s when we need to really step back and consider if we are doing our best every single day to nourish our testimony.

Are we taking the time to NOURISH?

Are we reading the scriptures even when they don’t make sense, or praying even when we don’t feel a connection? ⁣

Are we watering the plant, even if it doesn’t immediately perk back up, but having faith that if we continue to add more every single day, life will come again?⁣

We are either nourishing or neglecting.

There is no middle ground!

So what kind of care can you give to your living testimony of Jesus Christ today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My forgotten plant  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Invite someone over!⁣

It’s foolproof.

Instead of a big open-ended never-finished task, you’ve now placed a deadline.

And then you just magically get it done in whatever time you have.

This is honestly one of the reasons why I love hosting play dates and parties at our home so often.

Because I am a procrastinator!⁣

And procrastinators need deadlines.

So what’s so wrong with procrastinating our repentance?⁣

“I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end”. (Alma 34:33)

First of all, we don’t know when the deadline is. ⁣

So we can’t wait until right before the deadline and cram in repentance, because then we’d probably miss it. ⁣

But much more importantly, what does repentance mean?⁣

To change. ⁣

And God doesn’t want us to wait to change. ⁣

Because that’s literally why we are here on earth! ⁣

In my home, I’m actually working on getting better at doing small cleaning habits so that I don’t even have to rush before friends come over. ⁣

And that’s what we really want in our spiritual lives, right?⁣

Making small little daily changes in order to just be more spiritually mature as we go, instead of trying to “grow up” later. ⁣

Seeing sin that has taken root and doing the daily maintenance to keep it at bay. ⁣

Or when things get really bad, and our lives need a “deep clean” – we just get it done.⁣

We realize we have the agency to start casting off that weight and moving toward freedom and cleanliness.

We rely fully upon the Savior for his cleansing power, but we have the agency to START that process. ⁣

Little sins, big sins, bad habits, weaknesses… ⁣

It’s an everyday maintenance. ⁣

And I think that when we realize this, it makes the sacrament that much more meaningful.

That little weekly check-in can serve as a mini deadline to help encourage us to stay motivated and try again.

“Yes, we should learn from the past, and yes, we should prepare for the future. But only now can we do. Now is the time we can learn. Now is the time we can repent.” – President Nelson

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Procrastinators unite… tomorrow!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

There are quite a few theories out there…

But no scientist has ever figured out how to prove that the law of gravity is 100% true 100% of the time. ⁣

So how do we know gravity exists?!

Even though we can’t see gravity or find exact proof for why it happens, I think we can be very confident in expecting it to work because of all the evidence around us.

Every single day, gravity has existed and worked in my life.

So it seems extremely reasonable to continue to expect gravity to work the same way in the future.

You see where I’m going, right?

Alma was preaching to the poor and lowly amongst the Zoramites.

He gave a beautiful analogy comparing our faith to planting a seed and nourishing it. ⁣

But then he addressed the question that I think many of us have grappled with:⁣

How can we possibly KNOW the gospel is true while here on this earth?

“⁣And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.” (Alma 32:33)

We can know because we’ve planted the seed, given it a chance, and it’s brought forth good fruit. ⁣

And we’ve seen others plant the same seed, given it nourishment and time, and it’s brought forth good fruit, too. ⁣

And eventually, we notice that this has happened so many times–

People hearing about Christ, having a desire to believe, nourishing their faith, holding fast while the sun scorches, and then bringing forth beautiful lives filled with service and happiness.⁣

Over and over and over again.

It becomes like a law of nature to us. ⁣

We’ve run the experiment enough.

We can trust in the good fruit of the results.

And we can expect that following the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to yield peace and joy.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Does gravity exist?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The smell of fresh trees is literally one of my favorite smells ever. ⁣

The red-ish brown bark of the trees, the bright green leaves, the sharp gray rocks. ⁣

It was just beautiful and peaceful. ⁣

The breeze and the blue sky.

I couldn’t help but just stare at the trees and think, “This has to be a gift from God.”⁣

There is too much beauty.

Too much design. Too much life. ⁣

It’s the most obvious sign I can think of that a loving Heavenly Father and Savior exist. ⁣

All things denote there is a God. ⁣

So if you’ve been feeling a little disconnected from God lately…

If you’ve been wanting to ask God for a sign that He is there—

Not in the prideful way Korihor did, but in the faith-filled, “I really need a reminder that you are there and you love me” way…

Give nature a try. ⁣

Nature is His sign. ⁣

And maybe that’s why I love the smell of the trees so much. ⁣

Because it reminds me of other times when I’ve been in the forest, away from distractions and obligations, completely surrounded by pure, untouched creations. ⁣

And I’ve felt His Spirit and His love. ⁣

Need a sign? Need some proof?⁣

Head outside.

“All things denote there is a God; yea, even the bearth, and call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its dmotion, yea, and also all the eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” (Alma 30:44)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Escaping the heat  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.” (Alma 31:23)

They may have thought:

A religion that takes over your whole life?!

Let’s just worry about it one day a week and forget about it for the rest. ⁣

Prayer that requires thought, mental devotion, and faith?!

Let’s just write a script so it’s easier.

⁣Worship that means becoming introspective, emotionally mature, and honest with ourselves?!

Let’s make that look a little cooler with a fun tower so everyone can see when we are being righteous!

But even today, where pretty much everything is more convenient than it was 2,000 years ago, we know that religion, at its core, is not meant to be convenient.

⁣Loving people is hard work. ⁣

Serving people is hard work. ⁣

Forgiving people is hard work. ⁣

There are no shortcuts. ⁣

And that’s the point.⁣

We are supposed to serve when it’s inconvenient, love when it’s difficult, and forgive when it stretches our souls.

That what our Savior has modeled for us, and that’s where change happens.

And as much as I like being comfortable, I want to be able to change over and over again.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post That looks like hard work  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

If they are even mentioned at all.

And yet when Mormon wrote out this story about Korihor’s actions, he wrote that Korihor was preaching his carnally-pleasing message, “leading away many women”… and then he added “and also men”. (Alma 30:18)

To me, this JUMPED off the pages as I read. The “men” part sounded like an afterthought. ⁣

Korihor affected women the most. ⁣

He clearly appealed to their pride. ⁣

He caused them to commit sin, thinking of no consequence. ⁣

He turned them against their religious traditions. ⁣

He made them think it was foolish to believe in something they couldn’t see.

It seems like women were extremely susceptible to Korihor’s wicked teachings. ⁣

So, how are we doing today?

Are we falling for Korihor’s sneaky deceptions?

Guess what our prophet has specifically said?

“We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms.” – President Nelson

To recognize the same exact teachings that Korihor shouted, but in our media, news, apps, entertainment, and conversations. ⁣

We’ve been asked to stand up when something that is a societal norm or even a part of “church culture” doesn’t sit right with us.

To receive personal revelation and then lead with confidence and love. ⁣

For me, this leads to some reflection.

Have I let any sins become “acceptable” in my life?

Have I become lax, or indulged in pride? ⁣

How can I better take a stand?⁣

Because we have been promised that in these final days, the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church because of the example of strong, righteous women. ⁣

We need to be seen calling out sin and standing up for what is right. ⁣

Instead of being the first to fall away into temptingly easy and pleasurable paths…⁣

We can use our influence to bring others to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Korihor convinced the women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When I taught 6th grade, I would tell my students to imagine a parent had just asked them that question. ⁣

How would they respond?⁣

My 6th graders ALWAYS said their most common response to that question was, “Nothing.”

(And now that I’m a parent, I’m starting to get this same response when I ask what a kid did at school/preschool/primary…)

But when I would have this discussion with my 6th graders, we would use this as a springboard to talk about plots in stories.

We basically never read or listen a story where there was no problem of some kind.

Good stories only happen when there is some “inciting event” that initiates a problem to deal with or solve.

And that’s really one of the biggest reasons why kids say “nothing” happened at school.

It’s because they can’t think of anything “story-worthy” to share. ⁣

No problems = no stories.

Our brains are wired to crave stories, though!

That’s why we love reading and watching TV shows.

That’s why scriptures are more effective at teaching doctrine than bullet point lists of what we believe.

That’s why we get together with friends and end up telling story after story. ⁣

But sometimes, there aren’t really any stores to tell.

“And it came to pass that in the commencement of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace.” (Alma 30:5)

These may seem like the most “boring” parts of the Book of Mormon.

No problems? No stories!

But if we zoom in, what “boring” and “unspectacular” things were happening during these times of peace?

What unsuspecting service was being performed?

What normal life events happened?

And while these are fun questions to ponder on, it also makes me think of the more normal times in my own life.

Where I may not have a big, dramatic, story-worthy trial I’m facing.

Those regular, routine schedules and to-do lists.

Are those times of peace for me?

Could the mundane moments of my life also be summed up as times of “continual peace”?

Can I maybe do a better job at learning to feel gratitude for those peaceful times?

They may not be story-worthy, but those moments can be just as formative as the big stuff.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No problem = no story first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Wow, I can’t believe they would give you that calling right now!”

I’ve got 3 young kids right now, my Come Follow Me Study work takes up a lot of time, I have a lot of additional extracurricular commitments…

And my husband is serving as bishop.

I’ll admit that a similar thought crossed my mind when I was being extended the calling, as well.

Isn’t this asking a little bit too much?

But the Spirit had been subtly preparing me, and I jumped into the calling.

And now that our stake’s Girls Camp ended over a month ago, I can now say:

“Wow, I can’t believe that I got to witness so many miracles, get to know other amazing women, and feel God’s love for the young women and leaders in our stake.”

It doesn’t feel “fair” that I got to experience this tremendous blessing.

Truly.

Now this doesn’t negate all the late nights and endless meetings and difficult problems and so on and so forth that I had to deal with along the way.

It was a ton of work, literally and emotionally.

But when I’ve willingly submitted my heart to a calling I’ve been extended, I’ve always felt more love ALONGSIDE the sacrifice that often accompanies it.

Ammon so beautifully said:

“This is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.” (Alma 26:3)

That’s the BLESSING!

The blessing is being able to serve and love other people.

The blessing is being able to be God’s hands in both formal and informal ways.

It is a privilege to serve.

And it is a sacrifice. And it’s hard. And there’s nuances to different times of your life and various callings… I get it.

But maybe if we start looking at church callings as being given unique opportunities to experience more of God’s love, we might completely change how we talk and think about callings.

“Always hold a calling in the Church. Especially when life is busy, you need to feel the Lord’s love for those you serve and for you as you serve.” -David B. Haight

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Stake Camp Director first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It’s a question that I have been asked variations of over and over again.

And I have some great suggestions to share that I’ve learned on my own.

⁣But in many of the messages, I actually hear my own concerns from a few years ago echoing in their words:⁣

“I just can’t seem to do consistent scripture study, and this means I am failing.”

In our church, reading the scriptures and praying every day are preached so often, that sometimes we mistakenly start to think that salvation comes through their repetition. ⁣

It’s like reading our scriptures becomes the goal.

We will make it if we can just read our scriptures every day!

But I want to look at what the Anti-Nephi Lehies had so wisely figured out:

“They did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ.” (Alma 25:16)

Keeping the commandments and reading our scriptures every day are not part of the checklist we need to complete in order to earn salvation and get into heaven.

We keep the commandments and read our scriptures BECAUSE these actions strengthen our faith in the Savior.

Salvation comes only in and through Jesus Christ.

And everything He asks us to do is to point us to Jesus even more.

That is what God really wants us to do.

The goal isn’t to study our scriptures every day; the goal is to be totally focused on Jesus Christ as the center of our salvation, and scripture study is one of the easiest ways to focus us.

Don’t misinterpret here— I’m not saying “the law” or scripture study isn’t important.

I quite literally think effective scripture study can change lives, and it’s a worthy habit to develop.

But consistent scripture study isn’t the endgame.

Feasting on the scriptures daily is important BECAUSE it so naturally points us toward Jesus Christ.

Salvation doesn’t come by keeping the “law,” but the “law” helps us to become more Christlike if we keep willing and sincere hearts.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Failing at scripture study first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.