(Okay, maybe keep a few of those books around, too…)⁣

You know what I’ve learned about Alma? ⁣

He seems to have established his personal boundaries pretty well. ⁣

He had two giant jobs (chief judge and high priest).

It was causing him a lot of sorrow, so he gave up the chief judge position. ⁣

And then, after teaching the saints in Gideon, “he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.” (Alma 8:1)⁣

He needed to go home and rest – so he did! ⁣

He knew that he couldn’t keep going from city to city without a break.

So he went home. ⁣

He used his down time to rest and refresh himself, and then he got back to work the next year as he traveled to Melek and Ammonihah. ⁣

That’s a delicate balance in the self-care realm, right? ⁣

To know when to rest, and to know when to get back to work. ⁣

I most certainly do not have this balance down perfectly. But I think I’m improving each day. ⁣

We can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we are too tired. ⁣

And we also can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we get lost in our relaxation. ⁣

The cool part?

I have learned that Heavenly Father wants to help us find this balance. ⁣

I’m sure Alma prayed as he traveled back home to rest, and I’m sure he prayed for guidance when he knew it was time to continue his high priest duties. ⁣

So I’m trying better to include my Heavenly Father in my self-care habits – to know when I’m over-indulging, and to know when I’m over-stretched. ⁣

Alma knew how to say “no” and how to rest when he needed it.

And I can learn how to set those necessary and divine boundaries, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Alma’s boundaries first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I sometimes think about the millions and billions of people who live on this earth. ⁣

Many of my brothers and sisters are doing good things.

Many of my brothers and sisters around the world even know their Savior well, and love Him.

But I am one of the few on earth who has access to ALL of the blessings of the gospel, and I have made covenants to do my part. ⁣

What a huge honor!

But then I read this warning from Alma:

“And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.” (Alma 9:23)

So, other people will be judged according to their limited knowledge of anything religious, the truths they find in the Bible, or their absolute unawareness of Jesus Christ. ⁣

But I will be judged according to my wealth of knowledge about the Savior and God’s plan for me. ⁣

Immediately my brain thinks:

“Well that’s not fair!”

And then I snap out of it. ⁣

Would I really rather NOT know what I know so that I can have a supposedly easier time on Judgment Day?⁣

Absolutely not. ⁣

It’s “not fair” what privilege I have.

My light, knowledge, covenants, and friendship with Jesus are more than worth it.

“Making and keeping covenants actually makes life easier!” – Russell M. Nelson

My life right now, though filled with trials and tough stuff, is also full of covenant confidence.

I want to be held to the highest standard on that Final Day.

Because I know that my Savior can help me measure up.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Is knowing Jesus worth it?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

They love rolling out the different colored play-dohs, pressing them into molds, and folding them into “tacos”. ⁣

Things tend to get pretty messy.

Despite their best efforts to clean up, a few hours after they play with play-doh, I inevitably find little “tacos” that fell underneath the table.

The pieces are a little crusty around the edges, but I usually try to squish them back into a container. ⁣

But after repeating this too many times, the play-doh becomes hardened to the point that I have to throw it away. ⁣

It doesn’t usually happen all at once. It’s a gradual process, becoming just a little more difficult to mold each time. ⁣

Whereas the play-doh that’s been put away nicely each time is still perfectly moldable. ⁣

It might be a silly analogy, but to me it’s the perfect representation of how our hearts and desires can change over time. ⁣

We are all little balls of clay that are being exposed to the harsh air of mortality –

We’re naturally going to start to harden around the edges if we aren’t put away in a secure container. ⁣

We are given two choices: ⁣

Repent.

Or become hardened. ⁣

“Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.” (Alma 12:34)

When we keep repenting and changing, we allow those little rough bits to be picked out. ⁣

We show that we are willing to continue being molded into something better than the “taco” we might harden into.

(I know, tacos are fantastic. But we can become even better than tacos, imagine that!)

So what are we doing to prevent our hearts from naturally hardening? ⁣

Exposing our minds to harsh worldly entertainment, constant debates on social media, or rude attitudes will eventually keep us from being molded as easily. ⁣

And the key to preventing this?⁣

Constant repentance. CONSTANT repentance. ⁣

Constantly changing and constantly being molded into something new at the hands of our Savior.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Play-doh tacos first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

An angel had visited Alma the Younger in Alma’s youth.

The angel reprimanded Alma and called him to repentance.

And Alma repented!

Now, years later, an angel visited Alma on his missionary path, praised him for his efforts, and told him to return to the city of Ammonihah.

This angel said, “. . . thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him.

“Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.” (Alma 8:15)

Did you catch that?

This angel was the SAME ANGEL who had visited Alma in his troubled youth.

And now he was directing Alma as a powerful missionary of God!

Same angel, two totally different Almas.

I don’t often think about the emotions that angels feel…

But can you imagine how this angel felt?!

Probably filled with humble joy to witness Alma’s growth.

Probably filled with righteous pride to see how Alma had changed.

Angels are still with us today!

They are sent to guide our paths and bring us comfort. ⁣

Some people have sacred spiritual gifts that allow them to recognize the presence of angels more than others…

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

We are also surrounded by mortal friends and family members who can act as literal angels as they listen to promptings and respond.

God will never leave us alone and without help.

And I have a feeling that angels are probably so excited to assist!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post SAME angel! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.