I mean, I had heard all the lessons and talks on it and what it meant, but I felt so confused that what it actually was.

I think it was my “General Conference” question for like four years straight.

My question was slowly answered in me becoming less concerned with what my Savior’s atoning sacrifice looked like, and instead what it meant to me personally.

But I also have grown a great love for this scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants because it gives us the only first-person account of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice.

This is Jesus describing what it was like for Him to atone for the sins of all mankind.

“Which suffering caused myself,

even God,

the greatest of all,

to tremble because of pain,

and to bleed at every pore,

and to suffer both body and spirit—

and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink” – D&C 19:18

God the Son trembled because of pain and bled at every pore.

But the last line of that scripture is one of the most powerful lessons to me.

Because the Savior of the world, faced with a truly painful and unpleasant task…

Asked to NOT have to face it.

In the moment, He did not want to drink the extremely bitter cup that was placed before Him.

It is okay to ask.

It is okay to ask for our pains and sorrows to be taken away.

It is okay to ask for trials to end.

It is okay to ask for miracles.

But then, our Perfect Example said:

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father”.

God’s will be done.

We can ask for what we want, while also submitting to the Father’s will if it is different than ours.

Christ did difficult things.

And because He willingly went through with an excruciatingly painful act, my life has been completely changed.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to not always love whatever life throws at me.

I can wish and pray that it was different.

But ultimately, I have found the most peace when I give the glory to my Father no matter the circumstances.

And that when I do hard things, the greatest blessings await on the other side.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Christ’s sacrifice- in His own words first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That fridge you keep saying you’ll clean out?

That person you keep meaning to text?

I do.

It’s like there’s this unpleasant list of all the things I don’t really want to do, that I need to do…

And it just weighs me down!

When I finally call and schedule that appointment, I always always always think, “man, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I feel a million times better now.”

And that’s basically what the Lord is telling us all the time.

“Release yourself from bondage.” D&C 19:35

In this case, it was the Lord telling Martin Harris to just pay off the debts to publish the Book of Mormon, and move on.

In other words, release yourself from the mental “unknown” and anguish, and just get it done.

And in the kindest way possible, that’s what He’s inviting us to do all the time.

Whether it’s a big sin we’ve been carrying around on our backs, or a minor little task that we just can’t seem to do, He has lovingly already done His part.

And He’s ready for each of us to decide to release ourselves from the bondage.

The bondage of sin, yes, but I think that also includes the bondage of heavy mental loads, too many commitments, or a long to-do list.

As soon as we start to make the first move, to pick up that phone, to decide that today is the day, He is right by our side doing more than His fair share of the heavy lifting.

But we have to make that decision to release ourselves.

What will you release yourself of today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Release yourself first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Someone that I’m speaking to tells me about a dramatic event that has happened in their life.

I offer my condolences and my empathy.

But then, in virtually every conversation, that person tells me something along the lines of:

“I actually don’t really feel that sad about it. It seems like this should feel worse, but I just feel an overwhelming sense of peace.”

And my response back to them?

“YES! I know EXACTLY what you mean!”

Because I’ve also had some not-so-great things happen recently. And even though logic would tell me that I should be in deep despair, I have felt almost nothing but peace.

AND THIS is what I’ve learned is the true blessing of the gospel.

The true blessing of the gospel isn’t that we will be healed when we get sick.

It isn’t that we will have amazing jobs.

It isn’t that loved ones won’t die.

It isn’t that our bank accounts will stay full.

The true blessing is described beautifully in Doctrine and Covenants Section 19 verse 23:

(which should sound very familiar if you were in Young Women’s a few years ago)

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”

THAT is the perfect blessing that we are offered when we draw close to the Savior.

When we study about His life in the scriptures, when we listen to His words and teaching, when we keep the Spirit with us and walk with humility and meekness…

We are blessed beyond measure.

Not with perfect lives.

But with perfect PEACE that comes with being a follower of Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace in Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And feel an immense godly love for them.

I’ve seen insecure teenagers in an EFY group, kids in a Sunday School class, girls in a Young Women group…

And I am filled with this powerful love and perspective.

They are so important. Each of them.

Many times when I’ve had this experience, I’ve tried to tell the people about it right then.

I try to tell them that I feel godly love for them.

But words can’t really convey how I can tell the Lord feels about them.

And then I think about the times where I’ve had a leader stand up and say something similar! When leaders have said that they feel great love for each of us in the room.

And for some reason, it’s a little harder to see that coming from the other direction.

We hear of leaders “sending their love” and we brush it off as an overused expression.

In one of the most famous scriptures ever, the Lord teaches us in Doctrine and Covenants Section 18 verse 10 to:

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God”.

Isn’t that so cool to think that we are surrounded by great souls?!

That our neighbors, kids, coworkers, and extended family are worth more than we can imagine?!

But I think it is often just as essential to think about how that knowledge can change us.

Did you know that YOUR soul is great?

Did you know that there are likely many people who have looked at you and felt that glimpse of godly love for you?

Did you know that when God looks at you, He is filled with even more love than you feel when looking at your kids?

You are surrounded by great people.

But don’t ever forget that YOU, you yourself, are great, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post You are GREAT! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Because on the one hand, I want my home filled with peace.

I want everyone to be kind and loving, I want smooth routines, I want a clean kitchen at night…

I want peace and calm.

But— am I seeking after peace…

And instead sending a message of: “you better not have any sins or weaknesses that rock the boat”!

Life needs to be messy.

My kids need to make crazy mistakes.

My husband needs to have a bad day.

I need to battle with my weakness.

So is my home a safe place for all this messiness?

Are we allowed to change?

Is repentance openly embraced?

Or do I try to sweep it under the rug, adding shame and secrecy to the list of problems?

When we have done something wrong, no matter how trivial or how serious, and we approach the Lord with humility, we are NEVER met with shaming.

We are never pushed down, avoided, or made fun of.

In fact, the Lord taught Oliver and David exactly what He does in Section 18, verse 13:

“How great is his JOY in the soul that repenteth!”

The Lord is joyful when He hears that we want to change!

He allows us to feel the consequences of our actions and to learn from our mistakes, but He is ready to look forward.

So… am I making my home a place where people are comfortable making mistakes?

Is shame part of my parenting strategy?

Are confessed sins met with hostility or greater love?

Does everyone feel comfortable communicating honestly?

Do I feel like I will be judged for my weaknesses or do I try to hide them from the people I love most?

Are we harder on ourselves and our loved ones than the Savior of the world is?

Food for thought today.

Is my home a safe place for change?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Is my home a safe place for change? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.