“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 a 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. ⁣

“Then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.” (Alma 15:10⁣

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 Does faith really work? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

There are a few examples of the opposite that have always stood out to me.

(I’m not talking about bad examples, I promise! I mean a different kind of opposite…)

After Alma and Amulek watched one of the most tragic events imaginable, here’s what happened:

“The judge stood before them, and said: Why do ye not answer the words of this people? Know ye not that I have power to deliver you up unto the flames?

“And he commanded them to speak;

“but they answered nothing.” (Alma 14:19)

Silence.

They said nothing.

I think of Jesus and the times when He chose not to verbally respond to people.

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. ⁣

Maybe it’s because the Spirit warns us that saying anything wouldn’t help.

Maybe it’s because the Spirit knows we can be a better example through our actions than our words.

Maybe it’s because we need to be quiet and listen to someone else’s perspective.

“Jesus Christ, the only perfect person to ever walk the earth, taught us through quiet example to say nothing or to be silent in stressful times in our lives rather than to spend time and energy bashing for whatever purpose.” – Marvin J. Ashton

Talking and sharing are so important.

But sometimes the best way to share our testimony is through silence.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The opposite of teaching  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Why do some suffer with cancer while others are cured?

Why do some struggle financially while others have abundance?

Why do some have difficult family relationships to navigate while others have such unity?

Why do some fail while others get accepted to every school they wanted?

Why were the faithful women of Ammonihah and their innocent children killed in the most brutal way, while a prophet of the Lord was told not to intervene?

Life can be infuriatingly unfair.

So, so, so unfair.

Elder Dale G. Renlund gave a talk in 2021 titled “Infuriating Unfairness” that shook me to the core, and I’ve quoted it often since.

I actually want to point you to this apostle’s words to answer this complicated and heartbreaking question.

Please go read or listen to that talk today.

But here are some of my favorite teachings he shared:

“I declare with all my aching heart that Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy. Nothing compares to the unfairness He endured.

“It was not fair that He experienced all the pains and afflictions of mankind. It was not fair that He suffered for my sins and mistakes and for yours. But He chose to do so because of His love for us and for Heavenly Father. He understands perfectly what we are experiencing.”

“In mortality, we can “come boldly” to the Savior and receive compassion, healing, and help. Even while we suffer inexplicably, God can bless us in simple, ordinary, and significant ways.”

“In the eternities, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will resolve all unfairness.”

(Go read his talk and share it with others you know are grappling with the same question.)

Life is inherently unfair, and while this unfairness is manifest in both insignificant and life-altering ways, God’s will always reigns supreme.

And Jesus PERFECTLY understands the unfairness you face.

I am sure that these righteous women and children in Ammonihah, surrounded by their beloved scriptures, praised God “even in the very act of perishing”.

Do we have the faith to praise God, despite the infuriating unfairness we have to face?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Why weren’t they saved?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“. . .ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear.”

That phrase on its own implies that none of us will be tempted more than we can handle.

Wouldn’t that be nice to have confidence in?

To know that every temptation you face is totally within your power to resist?

But let’s actually look at the whole first part of that verse:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear.” (Alma 13:28)

People actually WILL be tempted more than they can bear– if they aren’t turning to God!

It happens all the time.

Temptations that are just too difficult for our fallen natural self to resist.

Turning to anger too quickly.

Indulging in inappropriate media.

Judging everyone who likes XYZ candidate.

But how can we avoid this?

How can we stay in that zone where our temptations ARE manageable?

Just flip it around!

If we are humble.

If we are always watching.

If we are always praying.

Then we will not be tempted more than we can bear.

We turn to Jesus with full purpose and with pure love.

Jesus is the answer.

We can watch for the temptation to arise and then pray for power from God to overcome it.

Jesus Himself was tempted while He was here on the earth.

And when we pray for His strength to be with us, we can have His power to overcome temptations just like He did.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Resist the temptation first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

(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.

So when I connect that love of singing to the gospel, I can’t help but connect with what Alma asks about our hearts. ⁣

“If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26)

Are our hearts taking advantage of the opportunity we have every single day to sing the song of redeeming love?⁣

Or are we giving it up for some lesser options? ⁣

Sometimes, I catch myself just humming. ⁣

Here I am, surrounded by miraculous stories, Spirit-filled experiences, God’s word, and a prophet of God. ⁣

And I’m just kind of humming along.

Remembering to read my scriptures here and there, trying to feel the Spirit sometimes… still in tune, but not fully participating. ⁣

And other times, I realize I’ve started mouthing the words. ⁣

Going through the motions.

Keeping up appearances.

But not having much substance behind what I’m doing, and taking no joy from it. ⁣

And yet other times, I realize that I don’t know what notes I’m supposed to sing. ⁣

The responsibility is mine to create opportunities to feel the Spirit, and I’ve dropped the ball.

I haven’t prepared my heart in the way that I know I should. ⁣

And then, other times, I get to SING. ⁣

I get to sing out.

I sing the right notes. I create harmony with those around me who are also doing their best. I keep my eyes on the Director, who knows the big picture. ⁣

That is pure joy.⁣

Singing with a full heart and a full voice. ⁣

So when was the last time we fully sang out? ⁣

Has it been a while since we felt that joy of being “all in” with our mightily changed hearts?⁣

And if it’s been a while, what changes can we make to feel that JOY of singing the song of redeeming love again?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Singing, humming, or mouthing? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I thought about telling some people beforehand…

But I didn’t want to seem like I was just looking for attention.

I mean, the procedure really wasn’t a big deal.

I could totally handle it all on my own.

And I did.

It all went well.

When I got home from the hospital, my ministering sister texted me and asked if she could stop by and chat with me for a bit.

I told her I wasn’t in a state for a visitor since I had just gotten home from the hospital and needed time to recover.

She responded:

“What? You are supposed to tell your friends when this happens so we can help you and bring you ice cream!”

I realized that I had denied her a chance to serve and love me.

It’s hard to ask for what we need sometimes.

My pride kept me from asking for support, prayers, and ice cream because I didn’t want to seem like I needed attention.

But as I reflected, I realized that I have absolutely never thought that someone going to the hospital was just asking for attention!

⁣People can’t help if they don’t know that you need help.

And as I’ve worked to be okay with asking for assistance when I need it, I’ve noticed that Heavenly Father has told us time and time again in the scriptures that He wants us to ask.

“. . .asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.” (Alma 7:23)  

Even though sometimes our mortal sources of assistance fail us despite us asking for help…

Our loving Father will always give us exactly what we need.

He just requests we do our part to lay aside our pride and ask.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Missed opportunities for ice cream  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.