But I wasn’t really feeling like it was the right time, or that I had enough resources to get it started.

But that desire was underneath everything else that I did.

And then suddenly, the opportunity presented itself, I had the courage to put myself out there BECAUSE of my desire.

Everything fell into place, and I became the co-host of the One Minute Scripture Study podcast in the beginning of 2021 (!!!) with the amazing @kristenwalkersmith.

And boy, did everything feel right. ⁣

I had held onto such a strong desire to start a podcast, and now the opportunity was presenting itself, and I felt the Spirit confirm that this was the answer I had been waiting for. ⁣

My desire to share my testimony in new ways was the prompting I needed to guide my decisions. ⁣

I’ve been really struck by David, Oliver, and Martin’s passionate pleadings this week. ⁣

I had always pictured Joseph asking God who the Three Witnesses to the gold plates should be, and then God giving these three men’s names. ⁣

But really, David, Oliver, and Martin were all moved with a desire to become one of the witnesses that they knew had been prophesied of. ⁣

And they ASKED Joseph to be witnesses to the gold plates. ⁣

Section 17 is the result of Joseph asking the Lord if these three men were acceptable for this sacred responsibility, and the Lord approving. ⁣

But these weren’t random names that the Lord happened to approve—⁣

Because they each had a burning, righteous desire to be a witness in the first place. ⁣

Our righteous desires can be promptings from the Lord on how we can use our talents to build up the kingdom of God. ⁣

The righteous, selfless, or useful things that we really want to do? ⁣

Those desires can be the first whisperings of the Spirit on what opportunities we should be on the lookout for. ⁣

And then we can ask. ⁣

We can ask to be included, we can ask to be in consideration. ⁣

We can let our righteous desires drive us to righteous action.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I wanted to start a podcast  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I was weirdly shocked by just how dark it was.

Outside, inside…

Everything just seemed eerily quiet and dark.

We turned on the flashlights from our phones and were surprised at how well we could see with just this small light source.

And then, finally, the power came back on.

From a scientific standpoint…

Darkness isn’t real.

There are varying degrees of light or an absence of light.

But there is no darkness.

And light cannot be hidden in darkness.

There is no such thing as “too much darkness that drowns out a light.”

What a powerful metaphorical reminder about our most powerful and only essential light source, our Savior Jesus Christ.

”Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness.” (D&C 14:9)

There will never be “too much darkness” in the world for Him to overcome.

And when we try to shine as much of Christ’s light out to others as we can, we can be sure that we are making a difference.

We may envision ourselves being a bright sun, sharing light with so many around us.

But most often I feel like a little cell phone flashlight in a giant, dark house.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that though.

Because I don’t think that Christ would say that is “not enough light.”

Any amount of light will conquer any amount of darkness.

Anywhere that there is an absence of Christ…

Then any amount of His presence makes all the difference.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Too much darkness  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I get people messaging me a form of this question pretty often. ⁣

And I always laugh. ⁣

Because if you want tips on how to organize your time, I’m probably not the person to admire. ⁣

And not because I’m not a great planner…

It has more to do with the three kids that I am primarily responsible for each day. ⁣

Little kids have a lot of needs!

Unexpected, constant needs.

I don’t handle everything at all. ⁣

If I’m making dinner, I’ve probably put a show on for the kids. If I’m writing posts for Instagram, I’m ignoring the pile of laundry in my laundry room. If I’m playing with my kids, I’m not responding to urgent messages on my website.⁣

But there is one not-so-little secret that makes many of my days run more smoothly. ⁣

And those are the days when I remember to pray and ask: ⁣

“What should I be doing right now to best make use of my time?”⁣

Now that doesn’t mean that I’ve got God as my scheduler. ⁣

I want to make that clear – I’m not putting all my decision-making on God. ⁣

I still make decisions all the time as to how I can spend my day wisely. (Or sometimes, not-so-wisely…)

But when I feel clarity with my schedule, or I feel urged to switch something up, that’s how I know I’m doing what I should be doing at the moment. ⁣

In D&C 15:4, the Lord told John Whitmer: ⁣

“For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.”⁣

I think this is such a beautiful question to ask. ⁣

What is of most worth for you in this time in your life?⁣

What is of most worth for you this week?⁣

Today? In the next ten minutes?⁣

Try it out this week, and see where the Spirit takes you.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My perfect life  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When she said her name, I thought, “Oh, that’s a memorable name! I will definitely remember that one!”

And then, as soon as my husband asked what her name was later that day…

I had completely forgotten.

Even though I think I will remember important things, my memory is not always the best.

Memory fades.

But guess who can help us remember things perfectly?

The Holy Ghost!

In fact, it’s one of my favorite roles of the Holy Ghost.

He can help us remember important things that have happened to us.

David Whitmer was a new acquaintance to Joseph Smith.

The Smiths were now living at the Whitmer home.

In a revelation to David, the Lord tells him:

“. . . you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see.” (D&C 14:8) 

I truly believe that we see the hand of God everywhere, every day.

We are surrounded by miracles and tender mercies.

And yet, even if we think, “Oh, what a beautiful tender mercy,” during the day…

We might find ourselves getting to bedtime and feeling that nothing special happened that day.

The Holy Ghost can help us remember the miracles we have seen and heard.

We just need to ask, wait, and listen to hear what He is ready to bring to our minds.

When we are reminded, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the abundant spiritual experiences all around us!

“The Holy Ghost brings back memories of what God has taught us.”⁣ – Henry B. Eyring

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post What was her name again?! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.