How could you make the biggest impact for good on others that you possibly can? ⁣

It’s gotta be something big right?!⁣

A big event. ⁣

An elaborate service project⁣

A huge social media account. ⁣

Greatest good = tons of people, right?⁣

I want to flip the question a bit. ⁣

What things have made the biggest impact in YOUR life?⁣

Who has inspired you to live the gospel with integrity, and how did they inspire you?⁣

Who has taught you how to be kinder and more loving, and how did they teach it?⁣

For me, the answers to those questions are not big. ⁣

At least, they don’t look big. ⁣

They look like a text message sent at exactly the right moment. ⁣

They look like a leader who always lived the gospel with integrity.⁣

They look like someone teaching a lesson that they probably never got thanked for, but one phrase completely changed me. ⁣

Doing the greatest good seems to not look like large, grandiose gestures. ⁣

Doing the greatest good looks an awful lot like becoming a Christlike person who tries to do the little things that He would do. ⁣

So what’s the greatest good you could be doing right now?

It probably looks a lot like unthanked and overlooked service, love, and integrity that we will never fully see the impact of.

“And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings.” (D&C 81:4)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Greatest good  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

D&C 82:7 says:⁣

“Unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.”⁣

Whew. ⁣

That honestly does not sound very hopeful. ⁣

So if I repent for losing my patience with my kids, and then I lose my patience again, it’s like I never repented in the first place?!⁣

AND I’ve added back in all the previous times I tried to repent for losing my patience, too?⁣

This has never really seemed to fit in with everything else I’ve learned about Jesus Christ. ⁣

So, I want to share my personal perspective on this scripture. ⁣

President Nelson has really emphasized lately that repentance means change. To turn away from sin. ⁣

So when I raise my voice and lose my patience, I often feel sorry afterwards. ⁣

I may feel remorse, and I often feel the Spirit prompting me to want to repent.⁣

But… if I’m not changing, then I’m not truly truly truly repenting.⁣

I’m just feeling remorse, but I’m not changing. ⁣

So it’s not so much a vengeful God saying “Ha, you messed up again so now you have all the weight from all the times you’ve committed this sin!”⁣

And instead more of: “Hey, you may have thought that you had really repented and changed. But you’ve still got some work to do before that one can be wiped clean.”⁣

Does that make sense? ⁣

Now, before THAT sounds too depressing, I also think that it’s good to recognize that there are different variations or even degrees of sins. ⁣

So if I’m losing my patience in a very explosive way but I repent of that, and then the next time, I start say a few sharp things before I stop myself, then I believe I am in that repentance process! ⁣

I’m improving. ⁣

In small ways, with small steps, but I’m improving and not committing the same intensity of the sin each time. ⁣

But the sweetest reminder of all is that no matter what’s going on: whether I keep going back to the same sin even though I think I’ve “repented”, or whether I’m actually improving in little baby steps…⁣

As long as I want the opportunity to change, the Savior will give me as many chances as I need.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Repent over and over  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I have a friend that I only send memes or funny stuff to. ⁣

You gotta have a friend like that, right?⁣

We met up, and all of a sudden I realized that even though we technically “communicated” often, we didn’t know much about what was really going on in each other’s lives. ⁣

We didn’t know about the more serious stuff. The struggles. The big decisions. The heartfelt emotions. ⁣

We had a lot of catching up to do. (And it was still fun!)⁣

I had a chance to meet up with an old coworker, too. ⁣

We’ve done really well keeping in touch with the serious stuff in life. ⁣

I know about her health struggles, she knows about my struggles with figuring out work. ⁣

We are really good at having serious conversations. ⁣

And so when we met up, I realized she didn’t know about the funny moments in my life! The times where my kid is covered in who-knows-what from digging in the trash, or the exciting new achievement one of them made.

I love both of these friends so dearly and I value their friendships for the different ways that they happen. ⁣

Because I need both kinds of friends. ⁣

But I also realized… I want my Heavenly Father and my Savior to be both kinds of friends to me, and I to Them. ⁣

I want the formal, big, serious stuff. ⁣

The down-on-my-knees, eyes-filled-with-tears, baring my soul kind of prayer. ⁣

And I also want to share the easier, lighter, day-to-day stuff. ⁣

The prayer for patience as my daughter insists on telling me a story before she will buckle her car seat. The prayer of gratitude when my son gives a huge laugh. ⁣

I want both with Them. ⁣

The Lord taught: ⁣

“In prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private”. (D&C 81:3⁣)

Formal prayers are essential. ⁣

Informal prayers are essential. ⁣⁣

We need both.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Two different friendships  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That line is: “With great power comes great responsibility.”⁣

Spider-Man could have discovered his powers, realized what he could do, and then chosen to sweep it under the rug. ⁣⁣

I mean, does he really have to stop what he’s doing everytime there’s a distress call in his neighborhood? (Or the galaxy?!)

He’s got stuff to do, too! ⁣

It could be easy to ignore what he had to blend in with everyone else and try to live a normal life. ⁣

Life without his powers would be much simpler for young Peter. ⁣

But instead, he was reminded that with this great power, he can choose to take great responsibility, too. ⁣

Because other people’s lives would be much worse off if he chose to do nothing. ⁣

If he could save people’s lives, then his morals, guided by his uncle’s advice, led him to believe that he needed to help. ⁣

In D&C 82:3, the Lord gently reminds Joseph and the other leaders in Missouri that: ⁣

“Unto whom much is given much is required.”⁣

If you have a testimony of Jesus Christ.⁣

If you’ve made covenants in the holy temple⁣

If you know of prophets and scriptures that have made your life easier…⁣

Then you have been given a whole lot.⁣

It can be tempting to want to hide away from any consequences of that, though. ⁣

Can’t I just have an awesome, comfortable life, and everyone else can go on their own journey?⁣

The Lord teaches us that that’s not the way He’d like it to go. ⁣

If we’ve been given a lot, then there is a lot required of us. ⁣

Now, I don’t think we have to physically risk our lives every day. ⁣

But we are asked to risk our comfortable environments to repent, to share the good news with others, and to serve as He would serve. ⁣

With great power, comes great responsibility.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Spider-man’s spiritual thought  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Breathing through one nostril is for sure one of the most obnoxious minor inconveniences to exist. ⁣

I suddenly waxed very poetic and thought about all the times that I had walked around with two functioning nostrils, and hadn’t even appreciated them for the blessings they were. ⁣

I feel like I get this way every time I have a cold. ⁣

And yet, when I’m perfectly healthy, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned in prayer any gratitude for functioning nostrils. ⁣

And I think that’s the real secret to success with gratitude. ⁣

Maybe I really should practice being filled with gratitude every day that I wake up with two functioning nostrils! ⁣

That wouldn’t necessarily bring me more blessings in my life. ⁣

But by thinking of the health and full function of various body parts, I start to realize just how many blessings I really have. ⁣

It’s not only the vain repetitions that I sometimes utter in prayer. ⁣⁣

It’s not just: family, house, and “all my many blessings”. ⁣

In D&C 78:19, the Lord reminds the saints that:⁣

“He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; ⁣

“and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”⁣

I don’t know that this necessarily means that being grateful GIVES me infinitely more blessings. ⁣

Maybe it’s really that there are an infinite number of things to be grateful for, and when I open my eyes to see that, then I’ve added that many blessings to my list. ⁣

I want to see hundreds and hundreds of things around me, and feel that gratitude. ⁣

Not necessarily for a list to mention in my prayers. ⁣

But so that I can allow my attitude of gratitude to fill my soul and point me to the One who makes it all possible.

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.” – Thomas S. Monson  

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Functioning nostrils first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had a really tough time after I had my first baby. ⁣

I’m a pretty independent person who takes a lot of pride in getting stuff done. ⁣

And suddenly I was on maternity leave from teaching with this brand new little infant who just needed me all the time. ⁣

It seemed like my life as I knew it was over. ⁣

And the adversary sure wanted me to believe that. ⁣

This will never change. It will never get better. ⁣

But the adversary has always used this tactic. ⁣

When the saints in Missouri needed some guidance from church leaders, they were asked to meet and counsel together.

Because otherwise…⁣

“Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them.” (D&C 78:10⁣)

They would be blinded and not understand the things that have been prepared for them in their future. ⁣

The future is filled with unimaginable blessings. ⁣

Babies grow up. ⁣

People move. ⁣

Jobs change. ⁣

Family dynamics and responsibilities shift. ⁣

But even if that reminder doesn’t seem like a “blessing”, the next life will bring us the greatest blessings of all. ⁣

Our future is glorious. We have so many blessings coming our way. We are loved beyond belief. ⁣

And the adversary doesn’t want us to remember that at all. ⁣

Luckily, I had some friends and mentors give me a glimpse of these changes when I had my little newborn, and I was quickly able to see that things DO get better. In fact, they change every single day with kids!⁣

But still, the adversary works on his message. ⁣

Because he knows that if we understand what is really waiting for us in the future, we will be unstoppable. ⁣

Satan wants us to pick his team and forget that the fight has already been won.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Satan’s most effective lie first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It had been a few days since dishes had been done, and for some reason, everything seemed to have multiplied. ⁣

There were stacks of random things on the counters, the sink was piled high, and the stove was covered in pots and pans, too. ⁣

I kept looking around. ⁣

I didn’t even know where to start. ⁣

I felt overwhelmed.⁣

I kept pulling my phone out to find the perfect podcast to listen to while I cleaned.

And then I remembered I wanted to eat some snacks before I started.⁣

And then someone texted they would come over in a half hour.

This was it– I HAD to get this kitchen clean. ⁣

Finally, I had the thought: ⁣

“Just start! It doesn’t matter where you begin!” ⁣

I picked up the piece of junk mail nearest to me and threw it away. ⁣

Then I noticed the other junk mail on the other counter and grabbed that. ⁣

Pretty quickly, it snowballed into me getting to work, and I was able to tackle the kitchen pretty well before the friend arrived. ⁣

Section 80 in the Doctrine and Covenants can often be written off as “one of those mission call sections”. ⁣

Stephen Burnett asked for a revelation, and the Lord gave him a call.⁣

But there was one element of this mission call that made me laugh a bit. ⁣

In verse 3, the Lord tells Stephen:⁣

“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.”⁣

IT MATTERETH NOT, FOR YE CANNOT GO AMISS. ⁣

In other words: ⁣

There’s literally SO much missionary work to get done– just go somewhere and start, and you’ll be good.⁣

How many times have I waited to be prompted on who exactly I should serve?!

Which new family I should try to help feel more welcome in our ward?

How exactly I can serve a ministering sister?

I’ve prayed for specific promptings on what to do for each of those. ⁣

(Which I don’t think is bad, in and of itself!)⁣

But meanwhile, the Lord is probably lovingly looking at me and saying:⁣

“Oh Cali, just do SOMETHING! ⁣

“There is so much work. ⁣

“You cannot go amiss.”

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Where to even start… 

The post Where to even start…  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Everyone was excited at first!

Mixing and stirring and pouring is fun.

But that excitement soon turned to boredom.

Listening to directions and putting away ingredients is not fun.

Eventually, I was all alone.

I put the pan in the oven.

When I took the pan out, the kids came running to my side immediately.

“I want to eat them! I want to eat them!”

I had to laugh as the story of The Little Red Hen popped into my head.

In this story, the little red hen decides to make some bread, but all her barnyard friends say, “Not I,” when she asks for help.

As soon as the bread is finished and the smell fills the air, though, she has a long line of people who would like to help eat that bread.

I, of course, still let my kids eat some of the brownies.

But I think it is interesting that the Lord reminded many of the early Church leaders:

“If you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.” (D&C 78:7)

In other words, if we want the reward, we need to put in the work.

Are we just dreaming of our mansions above?

Or are we waking up and doing something good?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post “Not I!” first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

But I ended up just thinking a lot about Jesus. ⁣

Joseph and Sidney saw this vision, this glorious vision about… like, everything. Where did we come from. Why are we here. Where are we going. All the “big questions”.⁣

And yet, the very first thing they did while writing down the vision was to testify that they saw Jesus. ⁣

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” (D&C 76:22)

They saw Him in vision. ⁣

They beheld His glory. ⁣

They saw the angels worshipping Him. ⁣

And then, Joseph and Sidney took time to officially bear their testimony of the Savior.

They bore a personal testimony that Jesus Christ, who was killed, lives today. ⁣

He is sitting right next to our Heavenly Father. ⁣

He created this world that we live on now, and He has created other worlds. ⁣

And after listing all these magnificent and powerful qualities of the Savior of the world?⁣

A sweet reminder that we are Children of God, too. ⁣

Joseph and Sidney then continued to record the rest of their vision that brought so much new understanding to the Plan of Happiness. ⁣

(Which also totally revolves around Jesus.)

But they felt compelled to accentuate their narration of the vision with their own personal feelings and knowledge about the Savior. ⁣

He is real. ⁣

He lives and has created so much. ⁣

And He also loves us personally. ⁣

And if it’s tough to really believe this still, then we can borrow from Joseph and Sidney’s powerful joint testimony. ⁣

I know that my Redeemer lives.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It’s all about Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I don’t have a specific list of names (sorry), but in D&C 76:69, we get a beautiful description of who will be in the celestial kingdom:⁣

“These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus”.⁣

These are just men and women who have been made perfect through our Savior’s atoning sacrifice. ⁣

Did you catch those two elements there?⁣

People who are just, and people who rely on the Savior. ⁣

Elder Soares once taught that we need to:⁣

• have a testimony of Jesus,
• be baptized, ⁣
• and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁣

For most people reading this, I’m going to bet that you can at least initially cross things off this list. ⁣

Here’s where the Savior steps in though.⁣

• Because we ALSO need to be washed clean of all our sins. ⁣

We need to be overcome by faith. ⁣

We need to be sealed by the holy spirit of promise. ⁣

These are much more lofty goals that will take a lifetime of striving, PLUS they are completely impossible without our Savior’s atoning sacrifice to even give us a fighting chance. ⁣

Once again, I’m learning that the Savior is at the center of it all. ⁣

So even though I originally thought these were TWO separate qualifications to enter the celestial kingdom:⁣

Those who are just AND those who are made perfect through Jesus. ⁣

It really is the same. ⁣

We need to be just, which ultimately means relying on our Savior in all things. ⁣

Our Savior is the way to the celestial kingdom.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Who makes it to the celestial kingdom? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.