And that we all have access to His love, inspiration, and power.

It’s tough to get to true humility, because we learn that in order to be “successful” in this world, you need education, experience, money, and great possessions.

And if you don’t have those things, you should feel badly about it.

There’s not a single thing wrong with wanting to gain more education and make more money.

But, it doesn’t make you a better person or bring you more of God’s love than someone who doesn’t do that.

And there’s not a single thing wrong with living life the same exact way that you are right now.

But, it doesn’t make you a better person or bring you more of God’s love than someone who wants something different.

Because we already all matter. We all have worth.

It’s the opposite of “pride”, with different playing fields for different achievements.

It’s true humility.

I think of Zoram, someone who had earned the job title of “Chief Captain of the Nephite Army”.

I’m going to assume this guy had wartime and strategy experience, was a great decision-maker, and had a commanding presence.

So when the Lamanites launched a surprise attack in the borders of the land, he and his troops were ready to spring into action to rescue their citizens who had been captured.

And yet, Zoram wanted Alma’s input after seeking guidance from the Lord.
And then Zoram followed the guidance.

He was in charge of the armies. And yet he sought spiritual guidance from the man that he knew had a special gift for communing with God.

Zoram didn’t let his job title keep him from spiritual guidance. He didn’t let his knowledge keep him from spiritual guidance.

I imagine it wasn’t even that big of a deal for him to seek help. There was no fragile ego to maintain. He just knew someone else could guide him, and he went for it.

Because true confidence and power come from true humility.

And today especially, I’m grateful for men and fathers who work every day to demonstrate this Christlike attribute. 

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post True humility first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Alma and Amulek didn’t say a thing after watching the believing saints being burned.

They were questioned and mocked and imprisoned.

But they didn’t say anything.

I think of Jesus Christ, and the times that he chose to not respond verbally to people.

Sometimes, he chose to be silent.

Speaking up is important. Defending our beliefs is important. I can think of countless times in the scriptures and in modern-days when people have been moved to speak up. In fact, we are often explicitly asked to speak up.

But sometimes, the Spirit can move us to just be silent.

I have felt this a few times in my life.

Sometimes, it’s been because saying anything wouldn’t change their mind. Although I enjoy teaching and sharing new perspectives, sometimes I feel that little prompting that tells me not to continue with the conversation.

Other times, it’s because I can be a better example through my actions than my words. When someone starts speaking rudely about another person with me, sometimes I feel like the best way to stop the gossip is to just not respond or react to what the person is telling me.

And other times, I need to be silent for my personal improvement. When talking with other people, I often start formulating a response or opinion in my head. But sometimes I get the quiet thought that tells me to just stop and listen.

Talking, sharing, speaking. Those are all important.

But sometimes, saying nothing is the best way to make the biggest impact.

Sometimes, we can share our testimony through silence.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Saying nothing first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“I have faith that I’ll get into that school.”

I remember two friends telling me these statements pretty close to each other.

They stood out to me because I had been recently studying about faith.

It seemed to me that faith didn’t always work out.

People got sick and died. Friends didn’t get into schools or get jobs that they wanted.

But… they had faith?

I was reading my scriptures after hearing these statements from friends that just would not get out of my head.

And then it finally clicked.

Not faith FOR a certain result.

Faith IN Jesus Christ.

And I was reminded of this simple but powerful distinction as I read about Zeezrom’s healing.

Alma asked Zeezrom, who was on death’s door, “Do you believe in Christ?”

Zeezrom responded with yes.

And Alma said, “IF thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed.”

In Zeezrom’s situation, Alma knew that God’s will was to heal Zeezrom and keep him on earth.

But Zeezrom’s faith was not IN his healing, just as the women’s faith had not been IN their saving, or Alma’s faith IN his success for sharing the gospel.

Their faith was IN Jesus Christ.

And when your faith is in Jesus Christ, the outcome really doesn’t matter all that much.

Healing or succumbing. Succeeding or failing.

All of it happens to the faithful who place their faith in the one who can bring peace in the storm.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Faith like Zeezrom first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She listened to Amulek, who she recognized from around town, and she saw the mighty transformation that he had gone through.

She heard the teachings about a Savior, power from God, the purpose of life, the chance to repent… and she knew it was true.

She returned to her house with her children in tow, she fell to her knees, and she repented.

She discussed her feelings with her husband, whose heart had also been softened by Alma and Amulek’s words.

She sat down and searched the scriptures.

She taught her children what she now knew in her heart to be true – that there is a God and a Savior, and they love her.

She heard that the chief judge had taken and bound Alma and Amulek.

She took her family and gathered with the other new believers to see what these men’s fates would be.

She saw Zeezrom, that wicked judge, have a change of heart and plead for the lives of Alma and Amulek. Surely this would change the chief judge’s mind!

And then suddenly her husband was whisked away with the other men. She saw others in the crowd pick up rough, heavy stones and run after them.

She cried for his safety and offered up prayers to the God she now knew existed.

But then people began to gather around her. She picked up her children and held them close.

She saw the piles of wood form.

She looked around at the other women and children. Surely this would not be their fate. This was too cruel.

And so she prayed again.

She saw Alma standing up ahead, tears streaming down his face. Surely he would save them with his power from God.

She prayed again.

And suddenly, everything became clear.

She felt peace.

This was going to be her fate. She didn’t know why this had to be, but she knew that it was the only path now.

A martyr for a God she just started to get to know. A Savior that she would soon meet.

And so she hugged, and kissed, and prayed, and cried.

And her faith in God was unshaken to the end.

Painting by Niki Martins

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A woman in Ammonihah first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Yelling, gossiping, inappropriate media, being rude, being slothful, neglecting duties, pride… In this mortal world, we’ve got a lot to pick from!
Try out this “temptation inventory” with your temptation in mind:

• When is the last time you felt this temptation?

• When was the last time you gave in to your temptation?

• When is it easier to NOT give in to your temptation?

• When is it super easy to give in to the temptation?

• Do you expect to be tempted to indulge in your sin, or does it take you by surprise each time?

• Have you prayed for help in overcoming your temptation? If so, when was the last time?

Let’s look at what Alma taught about temptations:

For some reason, I think I’ve usually only heard this last phrase of the verse in Alma in isolation: “ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear”.

But when I read it this week, the phrase right before it jumped out to me:

Watch and pray continually, THAT YE may not be tempted above that which ye can bear.

We WILL be tempted more than we can bear – if we aren’t turning to God.

While we always have our agency, we are natural men and women.

If we are prideful, slothful, and ignore the Lord, we will be tempted more than we can bear.

We will sin.

So how do we avoid this?

Just flip it around!

If we are humble, always watching, and always praying, we will NOT be tempted more than we can bear!

Watching and praying are key elements.

Waiting for the temptation to arise, and then praying for power from God to overcome it.

Not necessarily praying that the temptation won’t come at all – but praying with confidence that God will keep His promise and help you to bear it well.

So try it out!

Become a better “watcher” and EXPECT temptations to come. Christ Himself was tempted while He was here on the Earth.

But then pray that you can draw on your Savior’s strength and power to bear and overcome those temptations, just as He did.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Temptation inventory first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.