We need hands that are virtually always doing something.

We need flashy white teeth to help eat and enjoy yummy treats.

We need super smart brains that are always planning and learning.

We need legs that actually get us going to different places.

We need elbows to remind us that even when we feel pain, it’s okay to still laugh and be funny.

We need every body part.

Some body parts are strange shapes. Some get all dolled up with makeup.

Some body parts have hundreds of different uses. Some do the same thing with consistency.

My nose would be of no use to me if it wanted to walk like my feet. I prefer my nose to be really awesome at being a nose.

“Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.” D&C 84:110

But right before that verse, a warning.

“Let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling;

“and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?” D&C 84:109

The warning is to each of us and it is serious.

Do we, whatever part we may play, think that we have no need of someone who is different than us?

That we need to make friends with people who are super similar to us?

That if everyone were a little more like us, the church would be even better?

That is not true.

We need everyone. We need everyone exactly how they are right now.

Every strength. Every weakness. Every quirk. Every struggle. Every personality. Every background.

Not just to make a nice church cuz diversity is cool.

But to make a PERFECT church.

Perfect is often synonymous with “whole”, “complete”, or “mature”.

We aren’t broken if we differ from “the norm”.

We are needed exactly the way that we are in order to make a small part of a complete body.

We are needed to perform a function that only we can.

We are needed to edify each other in ways we don’t even realize.

We need everyone, and our biggest downfall will be if we start thinking we don’t.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post We need all the body parts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

If the problem can be solved, there is no use worrying about it.

If it can’t be solved, worrying will do no good.

We had this phrase everywhere in our house growing up, and I remember a copy of it always being on our fridge.

I have thought about this quote a lot.

To me, it’s the most beautiful and practical way to say, “Don’t worry”.

If the problem can be solved, get to work and do what you can.

And then give the rest to God.

And if it can’t be solved?

Give it all to God anyway, too.

I’ve been grateful for the peace and perspective this saying has brought into my heart.

When I couldn’t find a job right out of college.

When we bought a house.

When my little baby boy received an unexpected diagnosis.

My mind wanted to go into full-on panic mode. But I was able to pretty quickly turn to prayer and get rid of that worry for the unknowns of the future.

I’ll humbly but candidly admit that this is an area that has proved easier for me.

In a world filled with anxiety about the never ending problems of tomorrow, I’ve been able to find peace today and give the rest to God.

Not giving up my pursuits to solve what I can, but also not letting them overgrow my life.

And I think that’s what the Lord would want, too. To have a little less worry and a lot more faith and trust.

In D&C 84:84, the Lord advised the saints, especially those heading out on missions with no living arrangements, mission president, or even established congregations:

“Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself.”

Tomorrow, we will handle the things that need to be handled tomorrow.

Plan what you can, prepare what you can, problem-solve however you can, and then give the rest to God.

Because either way, worrying will do no good.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Worrying will do no good first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Looking back at every podcast episode, every Instagram post, every email on my email list…

I’ve shared hundreds and hundreds of personal stories just over the past 2.5 years.

But for this post, I’m not going to.

Because I want you to know that for every story I share, there are stories that I purposefully do not share.

In D&C 84:73, the Lord reminds the church, and specifically the apostles, that:

“They shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation.”

God gives us sweet, spiritual experiences that are for our own personal benefit.

Sometimes, we share those experiences with others to help lift and inspire and connect.

But there are other experiences that are just for us.

They are purely to help strengthen our own testimony and to help us gain salvation.

For me? I just know.

There are some experiences that I know will make cute, or funny, or poignant spiritual messages to share with others.

And there are other experiences that I just know I want to keep to myself.

They are either difficult to describe, too nuanced to write down, too personal on nature, or even, on occasion, too miraculous to speak.

It can be a little strange when everyone starts sharing stories, and you know that your story would fit right in, but you just know that’s it a little too sacred to share.

It’s okay.

Not everything needs to be shared.

It’s okay to keep some things in your heart.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No personal story first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Who’s with me?

Having a really solid night’s sleep is my favorite kind of rest.

But I’m pretty shocked at how often I DON’T feel rejuvenated after taking a “rest”.

I lounge on my phone for a while, or turn on a show…

But afterwards, doing some household chores or getting work done doesn’t seem any more appealing.

I am SO glad that the Lord has a much better definition of rest.

Here’s what He taught in D&C 84:24.

He starts by talking about unrighteous people, but He teaches an important truth in it:

“They hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.”

Did you catch that last line?

WHICH REST IS THE FULNESS OF HIS GLORY.

True rest is being in the presence of God.

Isn’t that amazing?

True rest, in the ways our souls really crave it, isn’t reading that book. It isn’t that kid-free day. It isn’t quitting that job.

Don’t get me wrong, those can feel great and be rejuvenating.

But there’s a higher and a holier way to rest.

And that is by entering into the presence of God.

I can’t currently fully enter into God’s presence on a daily basis.

But I can do some things that get me close.

Some things that get me symbolically there.

Some things that bring God’s spirit into my life so that I am still in the presence of a member of the Godhead, who are one in purpose.

I can take a rest however I want, and I love resting with fun and enjoyable things.

But when I know that my soul needs a rest.

When I need solace and comfort and peace to my spirit.

Then I know that only truly comes by getting as close as I can to being in the presence of God.

How do you give your spirit rest?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Take a rest! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We always ask our guests, no matter what the topic of their interview was…

“How do you #HearHim?”

It seems like a simple question, but I have been fascinated by the range of answers we’ve received!

I went back to all of our interviews and rounded up what some of our guests have said:

I hear Him when I slow down and write in my journal each day. -Ben Schilaty

I hear Him in the fitness room. -Melinda Brown

I hear Him in the sunrise, good music, and my granddaughters. -Elaine Dalton

I hear Him by seeing and visualizing Him. -Brooke Snow

I hear Him when I feel peace in something I’m doing. -Brian Hales

I hear Him when I exercise. -Skye Fagrell

I hear Him when I look for the little miracles all around me, and when I’m woken up with a scripture in my mind in the middle of the night. -Kay West

I hear Him when I read the scriptures and take time to stop and think about them. -Kerry Muhlestein

I hear Him by realizing He is already speaking to me, I just have to tune in and focus. -Aaron Franklin

Aren’t those beautiful answers?

My answer when Kristen first asked me that same question?

You may be able to guess it, but hands down, I hear Him the most when I am immersed in the scriptures, writing notes down, and praying about what I am learning.

The Lord warns: “And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.” D&C 84:52

Are we acquainted with His voice?

Because He is speaking. He is there. He is guiding and comforting and loving.

We aren’t trying to get Him to talk.

Instead, we are trying to listen.

And that’s going to look a little differently for everyone.

We listen in ways that get us aligned with God and help us invite His spirit.

So I’d love to make this a giant post today.

I want to grow this comment list infinitely long in hopes that we can inspire someone to try a new way of listening that might be just the thing that helps them tune in even better to the Divine.

Ready?

How do YOU #HearHim?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post How do you #HearHim? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.