Zeniff’s people had to fight against the Lamanites.⁣

Zeniff helped his people become good, righteous, and industrious. ⁣

And still, the Lamanites came. ⁣

He armed them with all sorts of weapons. ⁣

And still, people died. ⁣

And each day, on large and small scales, we are facing battles. ⁣

No matter how righteous we are. ⁣

No matter how much we have prepared and defend ourselves. ⁣

Real damage is done to our lives from these battles of all sizes that we are up against. ⁣

The ultimate difference between the wicked Lamanites and the righteous people of Zeniff?⁣

“God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might”. (Mosiah 9:18)

The people of Zeniff went forth with God’s might. ⁣

Both groups experienced the battle. ⁣

But only one had God’s might and power with them. ⁣

I find this so comforting when going through all of my personal battles, both physical and emotional. ⁣

I have God on my side. ⁣

To strengthen me.

To make the damage not quite as bad as it could be.

To help me prepare even more. ⁣

The trials are still there, but I don’t ever want to face them without the calm and peace that come from going forth with the Lord’s might.

“We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help.” — David A. Bednar

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Battling with the Lord’s might  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And then some good news comes:

The people from Zarahemla have arrived to save you!

Can you imagine the joy?

Your “saviors” had come!

The miracle you had been praying for had arrived!

This is exactly what King Limhi’s people experienced.

But King Limhi wanted to correct his people.

He taught them that the people from Zarahelma, while helpful, were not their literal saviors.

He reminded them where their actual trust should be:

“Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God.” (Mosiah 7:19)

When we trust in earthly results, we will miss out on the true joy that comes from focusing on the Savior.

If we are just waiting to feel joy until a rescue party comes from Zarahemla

Or waiting for a difficult trial to end

Our waiting for our health to change

Or waiting for that event

Or waiting for our kid to master potty training…

Then we are putting our trust in the result a little bit higher than our trust in God.

The people from Zarahemla were not the ones who saved Limhi’s people—

God saved them.

We don’t have to wait for the solution before we display our ultimate trust in God, and realize that a higher happiness and peace can be experienced right now.

Our joy and happiness can be found now when we put our trust in God!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Jesus is the true Savior first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

An event didn’t work out the way I was planning?

I think: How could I have improved the interaction and turn out?⁣

I didn’t get the job?

I think: How could I have presented myself and my experience better?⁣

My kid is developing a bad habit?

I think: How am I contributing to it and how can I help her stop?⁣

It’s honestly a really useful trait in my life that keeps me from playing the victim. ⁣

…But it gets a little tricky when it comes to trials and suffering. ⁣

(I heard once that all weaknesses are just the flip sides of our strengths, and I think it’s totally true!)

Sometimes I need to remember that life is messy, and hard things happen just because they happen. ⁣

Not everything needs to be or even can be solved. ⁣

“Not all the whirlwinds in life are of your own making. Some come because of the wrong choices of others, and some come just because this is mortality.” – Neil L. Anderson

King Limhi’s people were really good at recognizing when their problems were because of their iniquities. ⁣

“For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them.” (Mosiah 7:25)

I can relate! Sometimes I’m not feeling the Spirit and realize it’s because I’ve let some of the important little things slide. ⁣

Sometimes, we need to do better at acknowledging our suffering is because of our own poor choices. ⁣

But other times, we need to remember that all people, good and bad, throughout history have faced trials of all shapes and sizes, just because this is a fallen world filled with mortal people. ⁣

And the cool part is that no matter what causes our suffering – ourselves, people around us, or just circumstances…⁣

The answer is always the same!

Even when we can’t determine the cause— we aren’t sure if we caused it or if it just happened…

We can always turn to our Savior for relief and peace.

More Jesus is the answer, no matter the cause.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Did I cause this problem?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Or prayed that you could sleep well, and then you do?⁣

Or prayed that you’d be able to get everything done before your deadline, and then you do?⁣

There are a lot of prayers that God answers without fanfare or drama. ⁣

These answers are difficult to recognize because they look like natural things happening.

They make us think, “Eh, that would have happened whether or not I prayed about it.”

When… maybe it wouldn’t have.

After years of praying and pleading for help from the people in Zarahemla, King Limhi and his people had a group of strangers arrive in their land.

A case of mistaken identity led to King Limhi preparing to put this group of strangers to death.

Right before putting them to death, though, King Limhi makes the shocking discovery that these strange wanderers were the answer to their prayers!

“Now, I know of a surety that my brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla are yet alive. And now, I will rejoice.” (Mosiah 7:14)

He almost missed the answer to their prayers.

But he caught it just in time, and the reunion was joyful.

Are we missing any answered prayers in our lives?

Are we looking for dramatic fanfare?

For things that seem impossible?

Ordinary but still miraculous answers are all around us.

We have strength to get through the day. We drive safely. Our kid is comforted. We find an answer to a question. Our kids are kind to each other.

It’s so easy to miss them.

But so often, it’s how God answers prayers.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Ordinary answers  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.