Not because of how many people know me. ⁣

Not because of how many friends I have, or what calling I have, or how extroverted I am. ⁣

I am known because I am His. ⁣

I am understood. ⁣

Not because of how great a writer I am. ⁣

Not because I share my feelings often. ⁣

I am understood because I am His. ⁣

I am loved. ⁣

Not because I am righteous. ⁣

Not because I accomplish my to-do list, or I have a beautiful home, or my kids are well-behaved. ⁣

I am loved because I am His. ⁣

I am never lost. ⁣

Even when I feel all alone. ⁣

Even when I’m sure no one can understand the intricacies of what I feel. ⁣

Even when I distance myself from God due to my own choices. ⁣

Even when I walk in the room and I don’t know who to sit by. ⁣

I am never lost because I am His. ⁣

He knows me, and He knows exactly who I am. ⁣

He knows where I am physically. ⁣

But He also knows where I am mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. ⁣

He knows when I’m drowning. When I’m overflowing. When I’m desperate. When I’m fulfilled. ⁣

He is in my midst. ⁣

He is in front of me, behind me, and all around. ⁣

Keeping me from dangers I’ll never know about, and softening the blows from the trials I face. ⁣

I’m never alone. ⁣

My Good Shepherd. My solid rock. ⁣

My redeemer. ⁣

My friend. ⁣

Jesus. ⁣

I am of infinite worth.⁣

Not because of anything I do, don’t do, think, or don’t think. ⁣

But because I am His. ⁣

“Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me” (D&C 50:41)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I am known  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I loved watching her try to follow what her dance teacher did each class.

Even during their dance recital at the end of the year, her teacher was off to the side of the stage doing all the moves so that the kids could copy her.

Over the next few years, watching things “click” for her was so fun.

She was so excited to attend class each week.

She learned trickier and trickier dance moves.

She started to memorize entire dances with ease.

I wasn’t necessarily shocked and amazed at what she was doing from week to week…

But when I stepped back and looked at how she improved over the course of a few years, the growth was dramatic!

The Lord taught:

“He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (D&C 50:24)

At the beginning of our spiritual journey, we have light – but only a little.

We mostly just follow the examples we see around us.

As we excitedly “show up” week after week in our gospel study and practice, we gather and receive more and more light.

It can be hard to see improvement when we look at our limited perspective.

But when we take a step back, we can see the light of Jesus Christ growing brighter and brighter in our lives every day.

And today, all it takes is doing something small to receive more spiritual light.

How will you add more light to your life today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Just add light first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

What doesn’t edify you?⁣

I found the definition of “edify” to be very intriguing:⁣

“To instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually.”⁣

What a perfect test, huh?!⁣

The things that aren’t instructing me or helping me improve in some way, are not from God. ⁣

Which means… the opposite is true, too!⁣

I LOVE reading my scriptures. Like, those totally are edifying in my life. ⁣

But there are also a ton of non-church-y things that edify me. ⁣

In fact, I love using the marker of “edify” to draw my firm line in the ever-shifting sand. ⁣

If a podcast is fascinating and it leaves me feeling edified, I am ALL for it!⁣

And if a podcast doesn’t leave me feeling like a better person for having listened, then it’s probably one to work out of my regular listening schedule. ⁣

I don’t have to worry so much about ratings or count the bad words when it comes to media. ⁣

I just… know if I’m edified or not. ⁣

I know if I’m learning something useful. Or if I’m enjoying myself in an uplifting way. ⁣Or if I’m connecting to other people in meaningful ways.

Sometimes though, I’ve learned I have to take a much more mature approach to judging “edification”. ⁣

Because I don’t know about you, but trying to parent little kids all day doesn’t always leave me feeling “instructed and improved”. ⁣

…in the moment. ⁣

While I’m actually scrubbing the toilet or folding that shirt for the millionth time, I don’t usually feel awesome about it. ⁣

But I know God is looking for spiritual maturity. ⁣

What is edifying me in the long-run? What is making me a better human being? A more Christlike woman? ⁣

Am I developing skills and qualities that will improve and instruct me when it comes to the big picture?⁣

Or am I helping to improve and instruct others, thus chipping away at my own selfish tendencies?⁣

Sometimes, judging “edification” is black and white.

But other times, I have to take a step back and lean into my spiritual maturity to see what is really going to edify me. ⁣

Because if it edifies me, it is given to me of God.

“And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.” (D&C 50:23)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Edify or not?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Ever since I was a kid, my natural tendency has been to do my work right before it needs to be done.

I mean, I always get it done…

But my brain seems to thrive on the pressure that I have to do it right now.

Every time I study Church history, I am surprised by how many of these early Saints truly believed they were preparing for Christ’s imminent return.

They were ready to witness His Second Coming!

And yet, here we are 200 years and many generations later…

Still preparing for Christ’s return.

When learning about Christ’s Second Coming, the Lord told the Saints:

“. . . the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.” (D&C 49:7)

Why did they think it was so soon when it was still quite far away?

We have been counseled repeatedly not to procrastinate the day of our repentance.

If I knew that Christ wouldn’t be coming to earth for seventeen years, then I might not change or improve right now with as much urgency.

Just like the ten virgins, we do not know when the bridegroom comes.

I think a very important reason for this is that the Savior knows if we had an exact Second Coming timeline…

We would be tempted to lean even more into our mortal weaknesses and procrastinate the day of our repentance.

Let’s embrace change now and never be complacent with our spiritual growth!

“I have learned from personal experience that spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord is not only essential but the only way to find true peace and happiness.” – Amy A. Wright

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Procrastinators unite!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When not all of my questions or requests are actually answered?⁣

And…⁣

How am I supposed to make my prayers more about aligning with God’s will…

Instead of just listing off my thanks and requests?⁣

2 tricky questions with I think the same exact answer.

The Lord teaches pretty succinctly in D&C 46:30:⁣

“He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.”⁣

The Lord is teaching specifically about requesting more spiritual gifts, but I think this applies perfectly to any request we have of Him. ⁣

The answer to both of my questions is the presence of the Spirit. ⁣

When I have the Spirit with me as I pray, I know what to pray for. ⁣

I had a very powerful moment in my life where I went to pray for someone’s healing, but I suddenly knew NOT to pray for healing, and to pray for comfort of loved ones instead. ⁣

And I had a very powerful moment in my life where I went to pray to accept the outcome, no matter what it was, but I suddenly knew that I SHOULD pray and request healing. ⁣

It’s hard to explain. ⁣

It’s those quiet whisperings of the Spirit that lead me toward asking the right question, and confirming in my heart that I am knocking on the right door. ⁣

But when I’m saying prayers without requesting the presence of the Spirit, or not living worthily to invite His presence, then I end up asking questions that aren’t ready to be answered yet. ⁣

It all comes back to the Sacrament for me. ⁣

That is such a serious covenant that I renew each week. ⁣

I always want His Spirit to be with me. ⁣

And so I try to always remember Him and keep His commandments. ⁣

My prayers have night-and-day differences when I have the Spirit with me.

And one of the biggest blessings is that I know what to pray for. ⁣

My will starts to be swallowed up in the Father’s will. ⁣

And the spiritual gifts that I request and seek after are given to me as I work hard to obtain them. ⁣

I knock, and it’s opened.

Because I have the Spirit with me to let me know I’m at the right door.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Am I knocking at the right door? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The Lord had called him to be Joseph Smith’s new scribe, writing down all of his revelations.

John happily accepted this assignment!

But then the Lord called John to also take over as the Church historian.

This was going to be different.

Instead of John just writing down what the prophet dictated to him, John was now being asked to come up with his own words.

John told Joseph he didn’t want to take on the role of historian.

But… he also told Joseph to pray about it.

If the Lord told Joseph again that John needed to accept this calling, he would.

Doctrine and Covenants section 47 was the answer that Joseph received as he took it to the Lord again.

And the answer was: “Behold, it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history . . . it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things.” (D&C 47:1, 4)

John accepted the calling and faithfully recorded the Church history.

But he wasn’t alone in this endeavor.

The Comforter, the Spirit, was promised to help John write the history as long as he had faith.

Just like John did, we can cling to the promise that the Lord’s Spirit will be with us as we choose to willingly accept where we are called to serve.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I would rather not  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“I don’t know if I have any of those?”⁣

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said this many years ago, and it’s an idea that I heard taught recently that really resonated with me. ⁣

“Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety”. ⁣

In other words, the approximately 13 gifts listed in Section 46 do not begin to even scratch the surface of actual spiritual gifts.⁣

So… how are we supposed to know what our spiritual gifts are if we don’t even know what all of the options are?⁣

Here is something I’ve noticed. ⁣

When I am making a concerted effort to live according to the gospel principles, when I’m showing love, and patience, and kindness, when I’m keeping my covenants and pondering on Christ…⁣

Then I feel like there are certain things that I am really good at. ⁣

In other words: When I feel the Spirit in my life, I am more aware of my spiritual gifts. ⁣

Gifts that are given to me and enhanced by the Spirit. ⁣

So if you are still feeling lost about what spiritual gifts you could possibly possess, here are some questions. ⁣

When you are praying and immersing yourself in the scriptures, and you KNOW that you have the Spirit with you, what do you feel like you are really good at doing?⁣

Maybe you are really good at crying when you feel the Spirit. ⁣

Maybe you are really good at noticing what your family member needs and wanting to serve them. ⁣

Maybe you are really good at sending texts to people who need them. ⁣

Maybe you are really good at preparing and teaching a lesson to a primary class. ⁣

Maybe you are really good at feeling calm.⁣

Maybe you are really good at being a mediator in disputes or disagreements. ⁣

Maybe you are really good at understanding concepts that are really complicated but then explaining them in simple ways. ⁣

There are INFINITE possibilities. ⁣

When you are really feeling the Spirit, what are you really good at doing? Those are your spiritual gifts. ⁣

What is one of YOUR spiritual gifts? I’d love to hear!

“For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.” (D&C 46:11)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Infinite possibilities first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And I lost.

Obviously, I was disappointed.

I spent some time avoiding the girl who had won.

It felt awkward.

Finally, I thought, “I really should just go congratulate her.”

I found her and told her I was happy for her.

I didn’t know how she would react, but I was so pleasantly surprised.

She hugged me and said she was sad we couldn’t both win.

This disarmed me from my awkwardness.

I told her that I knew she would be great in this position and that I was excited to support her.

I felt so good inside!

It felt great to transition from feeling jealous and inadequate to cheering her on in her strengths.

The Lord teaches: “To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.” (D&C 46:12)

Sometimes, it’s easy to see that all of our different gifts are complementary and bless other people’s lives.

I’m going to easily compliment the person who bakes amazing cookies, because I don’t enjoy baking.

But do we also show gratitude, love, and support for the people who have very similar gifts to ours?

It was harder for me to acknowledge my senior class president because she had a very similar skill set to mine.

But I have learned that building people up is much more fun than competing with them.

Let’s use our gifts to help everyone around us.

And let’s cheer other people on when they use their gifts, too!

In this way, we all can be profited thereby.

“As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Competing gifts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Not being moved. ⁣

Elder Holland so eloquently taught:⁣

“It is inevitable that after heavenly moments in our lives, we, of necessity, return to earth, so to speak, where sometimes less-than-ideal circumstances again face us.”⁣

Holy moments are precious. ⁣

Sometimes they are big and notable. ⁣

But more and more often lately, they’ve been really small and mighty. ⁣

A quick prayer offered in a time of need met with immediate assistance. ⁣

Glancing at my kids’ faces during a particularly difficult moment and seeing their divine potential. ⁣

Pondering that leads to life-changing realizations. ⁣

Writing my gratitudes down and seeing how obvious the Hand of God is in my life. ⁣

I do all that I can to stand in holy places throughout the day. To create holy moments. ⁣

And then… a kid starts crying. ⁣

And I get a headache. ⁣

And someone asks me if I’ve finished that project yet. ⁣

And the dishes need to be done for the millionth time. ⁣

And I have an awkward moment with someone I meet. ⁣

And all of a sudden, I’m down, off the mount.⁣

Back to real life and all the weird, lame, uncomfortable, frustrating moments. ⁣

“My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved.” (D&C 45:32)

To stay in a holy place all the time seems impossible. ⁣

But I at least have the desire to experience holy moments all of the time. ⁣

And… God actually tells us that He will bless us for our desires, as we strive to do so. ⁣

So even when the world is in chaos around me after I come down off the mount of my holy moment, my desire to keep holiness with me can be strong enough to carry that feeling in my heart. ⁣

Because even though I am moving from the holy place…⁣

My desires are not moving. ⁣

My intentions are not moving. ⁣

My Savior is not moving. ⁣

That is what can stay constant. My desire to be good. Even if I’m on a roller coaster of what my actions look like, my desires of my heart keep me tethered to Christ. ⁣

I can stand in holy places as often as I can, and my thoughts and righteous desires can never be moved.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Holy moments in time first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

After a strong performance, my mom and sisters would say,

“Wow, they were so good!”

…And then my dad and I would start analyzing everything.

“Well, on that big note, she was actually a bit under the pitch.”

“You could tell she was totally out of breath there.”

Watching American Idol with us was probably obnoxious.

But our ears were sensitive to pitch and singing quality in ways that others’ weren’t.

I am the exact OPPOSITE when it comes to cooking, though.

If I’m eating food with someone and they start commenting on the exact texture of a sauce that didn’t turn out properly or the salt that’s missing, I’m usually oblivious.

The Lord taught the Saints that out of the darkness, there will be light that will shine through.

However, there will also be some who,

“Receive it not; for they perceive not the light.” (D&C 45:29)

The light is here.

There is light and goodness all around me, in my scriptures, in the temple, and in my interactions with others.

But am I perceiving the light around me?

Am I aware enough to notice when the Spirit is present or where true peace can be found?

This is an area where I don’t want to be oblivious.

I want to be sensitive enough to perceive the light of Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post American Idol  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.