Every time I record a new video or write a chapter summary helping to explain a chapter in Helaman, it’s seems like I’m constantly explaining how they were so good!

And then so NOT good immediately after.

And then so humble and righteous again.

And then not.

“Thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years.” (Helaman 4:26)

These Nephites are going to forget the word of God and turn to wickedness that quickly?!

It honestly seems a little ridiculous. ⁣

Until I examine my own life. ⁣

Circumstances can change super quickly. ⁣

And when circumstances change…⁣

Habits can change FAST. ⁣

Hearts can change FAST. ⁣

This is not-so-great news. ⁣

And, this is great news. ⁣

We can make fast changes in our lives. ⁣

I can suddenly stop going to church. ⁣

And I can suddenly start reading my scriptures. ⁣

I can suddenly decide that I’m not going to initiate family prayer anymore. ⁣

And I can suddenly text a friend and ask how I can help. ⁣

Although most of us probably aren’t cycling between extreme wickedness or extreme righteousness every single week, we do find our lives and habits to be cyclical in nature. ⁣

And we can decide pretty quickly whether we are headed in one direction or the other. ⁣

So what’s a quick change you can make right now?⁣

Is there a decision you’ve been putting off?

Is there a habit that you’ve been waiting to start?

Is there a sin that you’ve been waiting to stop?⁣

Make the fast decision now. ⁣

Because if the civilizations in the scriptures teach us anything, it’s just how quickly people can change.

For better, and for worse.

“Every day is a new opportunity to remember our Savior and follow His example.” – Julie B. Beck

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Really, Nephites?! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I have had times when my testimony has been built on friends.

It’s sometimes been built on awesome ward members and leaders.

Sometimes it’s been built on callings I’ve had or organizations I’ve been part of.

Sometimes it’s even been built on how much I love “the Church”.

Honestly, I think that these aren’t bad things to have testimonies of. ⁣

There are some great important but tangential aspects to love and feel strongly about out.

But Helaman wisely warned his sons of the dangers of building their foundations on anything other than Jesus Christ:

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;

“that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” (Helaman 5:12)

The storms WILL come.

Ward members will be rude and insensitive.

Leaders we love will make serious mistakes.

We will get released from callings.

And so much more.

But when we bind ourselves to Jesus Christ, the rock, we can have faith that He will never go away.

It’s all built on Jesus.

And there’s not a single piece of research, news article, scathing podcast, social media comment, or even differing opinion that can ever shake me from that firm placing of my foundation.

How do I feel about Jesus?

What is my relationship like with Him?

What have I personally seen and heard about Him?

How do I choose to tie myself to Him?

If I’m sure in my answers to those questions, I will not fall away from Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post How can I never fall?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We talk so much about how he can poison by degrees. ⁣

In Helaman Chapter 1, we learn that Moronihah had his troops positioned in the outermost areas of the Nephite lands. ⁣

That makes sense, right? ⁣

The land closest to the Lamanites = greatest fortification. ⁣

In my life, I tend to put the greatest fortification on the things that I assume will be attacked the most, too. ⁣

I know how easy it is to have my spirit numbed by watching offensive media – so I make sure I’m attentive. ⁣

I know how easy it could be for Satan to get me to dwell in self-pity, jealousy, or hatred – so I unfollow anyone who evokes those emotions. ⁣

My efforts are there because I know those are easy wins for the adversary.

But…⁣

Sometimes, Satan is bold. ⁣

Sometimes, he skips the easy wins and goes straight for the heart. ⁣

I’ve had two major experiences like this in my life. Where suddenly and unexpectedly, my very core beliefs were being attacked and I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to hold up. ⁣

Coriantumr led the Lamanite armies past the outskirts of the Nephite lands. He didn’t even try to attack those first.

Moronihah had all of his defense in the outer cities, and the Lamanites marched with great speed right past them. ⁣

They went straight for Zarahemla. The capital city. ⁣

The city fell. ⁣

And sometimes Satan marches past the little sins, the small temptations…⁣

And he goes straight for those core beliefs. ⁣

Do I really believe in God?⁣

Do I believe that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for me?⁣

Do I believe in a well-designed plan that is meant to bring me growth and joy? ⁣

Do I believe that the Book of Mormon is true?⁣

Do I believe that this Church is the vessel for priesthood keys, ordinances and covenants?

These core questions that I often think are safe and secure from enemy attacks, actually need reinforcements from time to time. ⁣

Yes, the outskirts are important.

The “easy wins” are where the enemy attacks most of the time. ⁣

But I can’t forget to build up those core, essential beliefs, too, no matter how unlikely it seems like they would ever fall.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sometimes, Satan isn’t subtle  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Like, I don’t ever re-read.

Once I’ve read a book, know the story, learned about the topic, or discovered the secrets, I find it so boring to go through again!

Truly no offense meant to those of you who are avid re-readers (my husband included, who I think is almost constantly re-reading a Harry Potter book).

But, obviously, the scriptures are different to me. ⁣

I could (and do) read those books over and over and over again.

We read that, “. . . the word of God. . . is quick and powerful.” (Helaman 3:29)

If you look up some different translations for the words “quick” and “powerful,” you get:

Alive

Active

Living

Effective

Aren’t those amazing words?

⁣⁣The word of God is alive in the scriptures.⁣

And that’s why I don’t “get bored” reading the scriptures over and over again.

It’s because these words are alive, powerful, and effective, as long as I am inviting the Spirit to be with me as I read.

When the Spirit is with me, the scriptures teach my heart the words that I actually need to know.

I know, I know, the words themselves don’t change.

But each time I read the same story, a different detail might pop out.

Or a random phrase might make a strong impression.

Or as I’m pondering the familiar lesson, my mind is brought to an application that I need to know for my current circumstance.

The word of God is quick, powerful, alive, active, living, and effective.

And the more I read and study with real intent, the more I discover the messages that are meant for me from a loving Heavenly Father.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I don’t like to re-read books first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.