The truth is…

I have no clue which scripture it was.

I know that I was reading a specific verse when I got an answer to resign from teaching.

But I’ve never been able to find that specific verse again.

⁣I KNOW that the words of Christ found in the scriptures and through the words of His prophets can tell me everything.

Literally everything. ⁣

⁣But how is this possible?⁣

⁣There aren’t any stories in the scriptures about deciding to be a stay-at-home mom. There aren’t any stories about deciding where to move with your family when you have many great options. There aren’t any stories about combating loneliness or laziness in the way that I encounter them. ⁣

So where am I getting these very real answers to these very real questions in my life? ⁣

⁣”The power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” (2 Nephi 33:1⁣)

⁣Nephi didn’t know what business decisions I would need to make when he was writing.

But Heavenly Father, my Savior, and the Holy Ghost do. ⁣

⁣And the Spirit’s purpose is to bring Their personalized message straight to me. ⁣

⁣I just have to hold up my end: ⁣

⁣-I read the scriptures. With real intent. As consistently as possible. ⁣

-I do things to invite the Spirit. Be as worthy as I can. Listen for Him. ⁣

⁣And when I do these things, a powerful communication channel is opened. ⁣

⁣It doesn’t mean that I get the answer that I think I want straight away.⁣

⁣Many times, I read scriptures and get the answers: Not yet. You need more time. Just wait. ⁣

⁣Other times, I get small promptings: Communicate with someone. Go to the temple. Follow this prophet’s example from a completely different situation. ⁣

⁣And then other times, the heavens are opened. ⁣

⁣The scriptures are not confined by their words. ⁣

⁣When we read them WITH the spirit, there is no stopping the heavenly communication that can happen.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No scriptures about quitting  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

First, have faith in Jesus.

Then repent.

Then be baptized.

Then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And finally, endure to the end!

“For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Nephi 31:17)

While my brain loves linear thinking and easy checklists, I’ve been wondering lately…

What if these five steps are actually one giant interconnected circle?

I mean, I still need to exercise FAITH in Jesus Christ every day, and I certainly have room to grow.

I have a lot of REPENTING to do, and I know I will continue to need to change every single day.

Although we aren’t BAPTIZED over and over, we do partake of the sacrament each week, where we get to renew those covenants repeatedly.

I’m always working on improving how I keep the SPIRIT with me and recognize promptings, because it actually takes a lot of effort.

And I’m constantly working on joyfully ENDURING!

Even though all these steps are interconnected and repetitive, I’m still working on improving the quality each time I need faith, repent, renew my covenants, and draw closer to the Spirit.

I get a little better each time, I hope.

“Living the doctrine of Christ can produce the most powerful virtuous cycle, creating spiritual momentum in our lives.” – Russell M. Nelson

The doctrine of Christ reinforces itself with each step beautifully.

And it is the best way to help us become even more Christlike!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The cycle of the doctrine of Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The temptation to NOT pray. ⁣

Not just forgetting to pray (although I think that can often be a side effect of the issue).

But choosing to NOT pray.⁣

In fact, Nephi even specifically calls out this strategy of the adversary in 2 Nephi 32:8:⁣

“…the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.”⁣

Why would we not pray?⁣

-I’m too angry to pray. ⁣

-I don’t have anything new to say. ⁣

-I feel like I just prayed. ⁣

-I’m too overwhelmed/tired to actually say a meaningful prayer. ⁣

-What’s the point? Nothing changes anyway. ⁣

-I’m not feeling grateful right now. ⁣

-It’s not that big of a deal. ⁣

-He knows what’s going on in my mind, so I don’t need to say a formal prayer. ⁣

How do we root out this temptation that is so specifically called-out in the scriptures?⁣

The good ol’ Bible Dictionary puts it perfectly:

“Many of the difficulties or temptations we face for not praying come from forgetting about our true relationship with Heavenly Father: that He really is our Father, and we are His children.”

-God wants us to talk to Him when we are angry and upset. ⁣

-He doesn’t care if we think we are too tired to have a meaningful conversation with Him. ⁣

-He doesn’t get tired of hearing from us. ⁣

-We don’t need to impress Him with outstanding new stories or phrases each time we talk with Him. ⁣

-We know His will will always be done, so prayer is more about changing our hearts than changing His mind. ⁣

When we are reminded about our true relationship with the God of the Universe, prayer becomes a little more instinctive and natural on our part. ⁣

And the temptation “to NOT pray” can start to lose its power over us.

So here’s your (and my own) pep talk for today:

Pray. Pray always. It’s worth it. It’s never something you’ll regret doing.

Don’t forget to (or be tempted not to) PRAY.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The temptation not to pray  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

1) They started gripping their crayons differently.

2) They picked up a play purse and told me they were “Ready to go to the temple!”

3) They picked up a large rectangular block and told me they were texting.

Now what do all three of these things have in common?

My child was copying something they had just seen me do. ⁣

Jesus invites us, “. . . wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.” (2 Nephi 31:12)

The cool thing is that we don’t have to guess what Jesus would do.

We don’t have to guess because we can see it in the scriptures.

We can learn through His prophets.

We can be shown by the Spirit.

Kids tend to emulate the adults they are around the most.

So if I want to start emulating my Savior even more, I’ve got to “hang out” with Him more often!

I have to be in the scriptures.

I should be learning from others who know Him.

I need to be inviting the Spirit into my life.

Because when I am around Jesus more, it’s natural to want to do what He does.

I’ll become more like Jesus as I spend more time with Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Spending more time with Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.