A rare summer storm had moved through the area, producing more than 12,000 lightning strikes and sparking fires across the state.

Over the course of a week, one fire grew and moved until it was about 6 miles from my hometown, where my parents and countless friends and former ward members live. ⁣

While the town was still in “warning” mode, the worst news came – ANOTHER rare storm was coming that weekend. ⁣

It was going to bring strong winds that would blow right towards the town, and this storm had a 100% chance to produce countless lightning.

The situation was dire. ⁣

The warnings shifted to mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of people as the coming storm was expected to bring that fire right to town limits, and new lightning strikes would add additional chaos. ⁣

And so the stake presidency called for a day of fasting and prayer. ⁣

Word spread, and members of the town, both church members and those of other faiths, joined in special prayers that Sabbath. ⁣

They braced for the worst, but faced the future with faith. ⁣

And on Monday, the town released a statement: “The storm that was forecasted did not develop as anticipated, which is positive”.

The winds that had been forecasted and threatened the entire town, never came.

The giant forecast storm resulted in less than 400 total strikes, and no consequential fires. ⁣

By Monday evening, in a totally unexpected move, the orders were completely lifted and everyone could return back home. ⁣

It was nothing short of a miracle. ⁣

The town Facebook page lit up with testimony after testimony of people sharing their gratitude to God and their feelings of unity during the fast. ⁣

And yet, sprinkled throughout those posts were comments such as, “You really think that your prayers caused all this?”⁣

Miracles are real. They happened just as Samuel prophesied, and they happen today. ⁣

And just as in times of old, WE decide if we are going to believe.⁣

Because miracles are explained away by nonbelievers, and completely life-changing for those who do believe.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The threatening wildfire  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

He preached the gospel fervently in Zarahemla.

He was kicked out but obediently returned when the Lord asked.

He shared his message while standing on a wall.

After he finished, some people got really angry and started throwing rocks and shooting arrows at him.

He knew he was being protected by the power of God.

But he also knew his mission was complete.

He jumped down from the wall and decided to just preach to his fellow Lamanites.

“They went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country.” (Helaman 16:7)

What happened next:

There were MANY people who heard Samuel’s words and believed instantly.

They knew they needed to find the high priest, Nephi.

They found him and confessed their sins.

He baptized many of them and continued to teach them as they developed their testimonies. ⁣

Nephi got to see most of the fruits of Samuel’s labors!

There are different times and seasons of our lives where we might be like Samuel:

Laying the foundation for a reward we will never know about.

And there are other times where we get the huge blessing of being like Nephi:

Seeing the beautiful fruits of the efforts of others.

There are times and spaces for both.

Even though Nephi’s role feels a bit more rewarding in the moment, none is more essential in the big picture.

We can find patience and clarity when we realize that if we do our best, the Lord has the timing all taken care of, whether or not we are around to see it!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Samuel vs Nephi  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I think one of the reasons is because of the internet.

Because of social media. ⁣

We can choose to produce goodness, to share goodness, and to consume goodness. ⁣

When our house is completely dark at night and I need to take care of a kid, all it takes is one little light to allow me to see. ⁣

By being just a small light, we can make a bigger difference than we could ever imagine. ⁣

I’ve got a testimony of that, for sure. ⁣

Samuel told the people living in Zarahemla that the Lord needed to destroy the entire city because of their wickedness. ⁣

“But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared.” (Helaman 13:14)⁣

One righteous person can keep an entire city from being destroyed. ⁣

And one righteous person can shine a light and share goodness on social media. ⁣

We can choose to post wisely. ⁣

We can choose to avoid division. ⁣

We can check facts. ⁣

We can resist cheap digs. ⁣

We can create beautiful and powerful content. ⁣

And whenever we choose to share our opinions, we try to always be led by the Spirit. ⁣

And that’s how we transcend the darkness and bitterness around us. ⁣

We stand out in different and distinct ways from the rest of the world and our difference can be tenfold (or more) what it could have been even 30 years ago. ⁣

Just one person. One post. One comment. One moment of restraint. ⁣

Can make all the difference between darkness and life-changing light.

“The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.” – President Kimball

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Light of Women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I despised running.

But I wanted to make my coach proud.

The first week, I ran a mile on five different days and recorded my times. ⁣

I was happy to report to my coach that I had met the goal…

But she never asked. ⁣

Darn.

The second week, I missed a day, only running 4 days.

But I still recorded my times. ⁣

I had my excuse ready to go…

But again, my coach never asked. ⁣

The third and final week, I figured she didn’t really care about us running on our own.

So I only ran one day. ⁣

She never asked.

And that was it. ⁣

Looking back, I realized my only motivation for running was the fact that my coach had asked. ⁣

But… I happened to record my mile times in a notebook that I discovered a few years later.

As I looked through my list of mile times, I discovered that I had improved my time every single time that I ran!

I had gotten faster and stronger, and yet all I cared about was what I could “get away with.”

⁣“And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself.”(Helaman 14:30)

When we “cut the corners” on our righteous spiritual habits, we might get away with it.

But we are the ones who have to deal with the eventual temporal and eternal consequences.

“On the straight and narrow path, there are simply no corners to be cut.” – Neal A. Maxwell

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Volleyball conditioning first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.