Growing up, I would hear people giving talks in church and casually throw in references to “Alma and Amulek” or “the city of Enoch”.⁣

I was always so impressed!

Because I always forgot who these people were until I heard a lesson on them. ⁣

I read my scriptures virtually every day starting at age 12…

And I still felt like I didn’t understand them super well. ⁣

So I was determined to serve a mission, because that is where everyone seemed to learn their scriptures so well!

Perfect. Problem solved.

Well guess who didn’t serve a mission?

This girl. ⁣

I still kept reading every day, but I felt like my opportunity to really “know” them was gone. ⁣

Fast forward some more years and I’ve started to realize…

I’ve become someone who knows the scriptures pretty well!

I can remember stories, make connections, refer to names of people casually. ⁣

When did this happen?! How?!

There was no magical mission to force me to learn the scriptures! ⁣

Paul teaches it well here:

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

I have known the scriptures since I was a child. ⁣

I have been learning them my whole life. ⁣

And oh my goodness I still have a lot to learn.

This will be a lifelong process. ⁣

But I’ve FINALLY read them enough times that I’m starting to put everything together in my mind and truly make sense of the stories.

And even more important than remembering all the “stuff”?

Internalizing the lessons that they teach and accessing the Spirit’s promptings

CONSISTENCY.

That’s the real magic answer. ⁣

Of course we aren’t going to see major results from scripture study after one day. Or one week. Or honestly, one year. ⁣

It’s the repetition.

It’s the ability to grow and mature and then read them again so we can actually learn the lessons we need. ⁣

I’m grateful for the scriptures we have and for the blessing they are to me when I give my best CONSISTENT effort.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I wanted to learn the scriptures first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

(Chronologically, watch my Big Picture Monday video if you want to know the deets on the epistles this week!)

Written from jail (for the millionth time).

Right before his martyrdom. ⁣

Paul has learned and grown and served and loved and taught endlessly.

So in honor of his final words, here are the top three lessons I’ve learned from Paul’s life:⁣

1. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past.

We can become better. ⁣

We only need to look forward.

The Pharisee became the apostle.

2. How well or poorly we think our life is going right now has NOTHING to do with our relationship with God. ⁣

Paul was thrown in jail multiple times, shipwrecked, hated, banned, and ultimately killed because he was following the Lord.

Circumstances are no indication of our favor with God.

3. Attitude makes all the difference. ⁣

Paul is one of the happiest preachers I have ever read teachings from.

He was always so positive and kind, corresponding with saints from all over.

Focusing outward instead of hyper focusing inward.

3 little, but actually really big, lessons from a man I’ve never met who lived 2,000 years ago.

What have you learned from Paul?

I invite you to reflect on that today!

I know, we’ve still got some more to study from him in book-order.

But what sticks in your mind from what Paul has taught?

And I’ll end with the very last words we have recorded from this amazing, Christlike man:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Paul’s final words first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And I had heard about Braxton hicks, or “false labor”.

How would I know the difference?!

I thought it would be so embarrassing to show up at the hospital thinking it was labor when it really was just a false alarm.

The advice I got from other moms?

“Oh, you’ll KNOW when it is real labor.”

But as I neared the end of my pregnancy, I didn’t know!

Every pain, every cramp, every movement had me concerned: Is this real labor?!

And then.. the real contractions started.

And oh boy, did I know that I was really, truly in labor.

We often hear Paul’s famous teaching that, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

But… fear is such a tricky emotion.

We feel fear and wonder: Is this fear I’m feeling a warning to stop?⁣

Is this fear a prompting?⁣

Does this fear mean I need to go do something?⁣

And sometimes the fears build on each other and become an anxiety, feeding each other and growing until they become too much to bear. ⁣

But I feel like Paul is saying, “Listen, you may be confused about whether or not it’s fear from your own mind or a prompting, but when God gives you a message, you will KNOW that it’s from Him.”

POWER. ⁣LOVE. ⁣A SOUND MIND. ⁣

God can absolutely warn us against dangerous things, He can still tell us to change, He can still tell us to go a different direction. ⁣

But the feeling will be empowering, full of love, and create the result of a sound mind. ⁣

We can get an urgent warning… but have a sound mind about it. ⁣

I know in my life, I always feel confused when I’m filled with fear. I don’t know what to do or where the thoughts are coming from. (Even though I technically know that fear isn’t from God.)⁣

But when I’m having a clear prompting, I feel power, love, and a sound mind. ⁣

No fear. ⁣

I’m grateful for a loving God who motivates and communicates with positive emotions.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Is this fear?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Why can’t we just do our own thing and worry about our personal salvation?⁣

I think it’s important to be good examples in order to attract others to the gospel.

We can be the light on the hill.

We can talk about the joy and peace that permeates, even in the tough times.

We want to prove that being a follower of Christ actually changes who we are for the better.

⁣And the biggest lesson I’ve learned as I’ve tried to be a good example, is that it’s important to learn how to be comfortable being different!

Paul taught: “. . . Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

If we are going to choose to be different in

the words we say,

our topics of conversation,

the way we serve,

the sensitivity of our spirits,

the faith we develop,

and the purity of our minds,

then we are choosing to stick out amongst the rest of the world.

Are we okay being different and peculiar?

Jesus sure was different when He walked on the earth.

He stood out.

He was peculiar and unique in the things He said and the way He acted.

It’s good to get comfortable with being a bit different.

And if we stick out a bit by being a believer of Christ, we are in good company.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Be an example of the believers first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She was called to serve a mission in Yekaterinburg, Russia 7 years ago. ⁣

When I was studying about Paul wanting so badly to return to the saints in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, but not being allowed to because of a ban by local leaders, I immediately thought of her modern-day parallel. ⁣

In July 2016, while my sister was in the MTC, Russia passed a law that banned anyone from preaching their religion in the country.

No missionaries allowed in Russia.

I asked Maddie to write a bit about her experience becoming a “volunteer” in Russia:

“I was studying in the MTC about how to be a missionary in Russia when I first heard the news that a new law was passed banning missionaries in Russia. I felt uncertain to say the least. ⁣

Even when I flew into the country 10 days after the law went into effect, it felt like no one had answers.

My trainer had never been a ‘volunteer’.

My mission president had been there only a month longer than I had.

Even the local church lawyers didn’t really have answers.

It felt like a giant step backwards.

Certainly Satan was in this law, not God. ⁣

But, as missionaries do, we went to work anyway.

Over time we adapted, tried new things, made new habits.

We made goals to meet with members and make friends with people on buses and planned SO many game nights.

We just kept going and praying and working. ⁣

Instead of focusing on all the things we couldn’t do, we focused on the things we COULD do. ⁣

And guess what?

We actually found a lot of success!

We developed close relationships with members and learned how to legally find new investigators. ⁣

And I know baptisms aren’t a measure of missionary work, but the baptisms in our mission the year after the law passed were actually higher than the year before when they could proselyte!⁣

You would never think a law banning missionary work would help missionary efforts.

But it did.

My mission taught me that even things that seem like they could never be part of God’s plan can be used to further His cause.” – Maddie Hanson Johnson

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A Volunteer in Russia first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It will probably be a goal I have for the rest of my life.

Because it’s a lot of work!

Recently, I had a thought to check in on a friend.

But then I thought:

“Eh, not right now; it’s a weird time. Plus, I think she’s fine. Plus, what would I even say? Plus, I don’t want to seem weird.”

And so I didn’t check in on her.

It wasn’t until the next day that I realized— that was me suppressing a prompting!

And when I suppress a prompting, I’m probably missing out on more promptings in the future and blessings that could be available.

I don’t want to suppress promptings.

So the next time I thought about checking in on a different friend, I texted her immediately.

I wanted to show the Spirit that I was willing to act on any good thoughts that came my way.

I was surprised when, after I sent the text, even more friends’ names came to my mind!

I spent the next little bit catching up with lots of amazing people. ⁣

Look at Paul’s simple warning:

“Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)   

“Quench” means to suppress, extinguish, or hinder. ⁣

It’s a pretty straightforward warning.

Even if it’s trickier to always follow in real life.

Becoming Christlike means acting on promptings immediately.

Feeling spiritual confidence and confirmation in all that I do.

And realizing that each prompting I follow opens the door to a domino effect of other promptings and blessings that I can’t even imagine.

Now— I have to take a realistic view.

I’m not going to be really good at this for a long time.

But I think it’s worth the effort, right?

Each day, getting a little better at not quenching the Spirit.

And showing God that I’m ready to act!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Quench not the Spirit  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

There ain’t no tired like Saturday-morning-EFY-counselor tired. ⁣

(Has anyone else experienced this?! )⁣

But it was GOOD tired. ⁣

It was a “man, my body needs to just sleep for 40 hours” tired.

And also a “but I feel like I’m walking on a spiritual high!”⁣

To me, this is one of the most extreme examples I can think of of NOT feeling weary in well-doing.

I was so energized, but also tired.

But not weary. ⁣

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

I think the caution to “not be weary” comes with 2 implications:⁣

1. Do good things and draw our energy from doing those good things⁣

I feel SO much more satisfied at the end of a day when I have reached out in service, done fun things with my family, and spent meaningful time with friends.

That’s where I draw my energy from!⁣

But I also like to stop and realize all the “good” that I already do each day and try feel energized from that, too!⁣

I cleaned up our breakfast oatmeal splatter mess right after it happened instead of waiting for it to dry and get more difficult?! Good things! ⁣

It’s like we get to cheer ourselves on when we catch the good things each day, and then draw our energy from it, no matter if we feel a little tired in the moment. ⁣

But then the other implication of this counsel is:⁣

2. Don’t overcommit so that we move past “good-tired” and into “weary”⁣.

It’s SO easy to overextend ourselves. ⁣

Did volunteering to help with that project seem like a good idea at the time, but now it’s just making you weary? Maybe it’s time to say no for a bit!⁣

Is the ghost of “but this is how they’ve always done it in the past” haunting your calling at church and making you weary?

Maybe it’s time to change traditions. ⁣

To me, “weariness” implies much more than being tired.

It implies feeling “run down” or “worn out”. ⁣

And I don’t think we are capable of doing much good when we feel weary. ⁣

I love feeling energized but tired from doing good things.

That is a fulfilling feeling! ⁣

But it’s also important to know when to say “no” or “not now” when we begin to feel that weariness.

How have you learned to weary not in well doing?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Tired, but not weary!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When faced with a tragedy, most people say that the traditional offering of “thoughts and prayers” doesn’t do anything.

People say that only actions will change things or offer any real help.

I always think:

Why not both?

Thoughts and prayers AND action!

We should always accompany our prayers with sincere effort.

Effort matters!

Whether that’s taking steps to support family members who need help.

Or actually reaching out to the ward members who aren’t at church.

Or becoming involved in advocacy for national or international causes that you care about.

But what do we do when “action” isn’t an option?

What do we do in those impossibly difficult moments when someone is enduring a trial that we wish we could take away but can’t?

What do we do when someone’s heart is too hardened to notice our efforts?

What do we do when we can’t control the outcome?

I have learned that prayer works.

Prayer really works.

God is powerful.

There are some blessings that God wants to give to us, but He needs us to ask Him in prayer.

The Bible Dictionary entry for “Prayer” says:

“The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them.

“Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them.

“Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”

That’s the only condition for many blessings!

We have to ask.

We have to intentionally ask.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

We can plead for those around us in our prayers.

We should absolutely accompany our sincere prayers with actions and service if possible. ⁣

But our Heavenly Father recognizes the form of “work” that offering a prayer is and is willing to give us and others blessings from that action.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Thoughts and prayers! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

These are two very desirable…

(but in my opinion, very DIFFICULT)

…Christlike attributes to obtain. ⁣

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:10)

I see being SINCERE as an outward quality.

It’s an attribute that affects what I say or do toward others. ⁣

How can I become more sincere?⁣

Here’s a few things I’ve been working on:⁣

-Expressing gratitude for other people often

– Acting on promptings as soon as I receive them⁣

– Not being afraid to speak up when I feel differently about a situation than others (not just saying “I agree!” to keep the peace)⁣

– Making sure my outward actions reflect my inner thoughts⁣

– Praying earnestly to have my natural thoughts be more kind so that I can then act with sincerity on desires to serve, and not out of obligation ⁣

The other Christlike quality is to be WITHOUT OFFENCE. ⁣

I see this quality as a more inward characteristic.

It has to do more with how I react to what other people are saying. ⁣

How can I avoid being offended more often?⁣

Here’s some more things I’ve been working on:⁣

– Recognizing that when I perceive something as “rude”, it most likely is not from someone who actually intends emotional harm.

-Acknowledging that other people’s words and actions have nothing to do with who I am.

– GIVING IT TIME. This is a huge one for me. Right after something “offensive” has happened, I’ve found it helpful to not wrestle with it right afterwards because my emotions get in the way. When I give things time, it is so much easier to see the bigger perspective. ⁣

– Praying to see the situation as my Father in Heaven sees it. Eventually, I get a glimpse of that Christlike love for the other person that seems to make the situation much more bearable. ⁣

I’m still working on adding sincerity and avoiding offence each day. ⁣

But the peace that comes from the moments when I do get it right teaches me that this is how the Savior wants me to live. ⁣

How have you become more sincere?

How do you avoid taking offence?⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sincere and without offence   first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

One particular time, I was flying with my daughter, who wasn’t even two years old yet.

It was a late-night flight.

That then got delayed a few times.

The flight experience was… brutal. To say the least.

She freaked out during the safety demonstration and wouldn’t calm down.

She kept kicking the seat in front of us.

She got bored with every distraction I had packed in our bag.

I kept praying that she would calm down.

Or that she would just fall asleep.

But she did neither of those things.

I felt very alone.

As the flight ended, the person sitting directly in front of us (whose seat I kept trying to protect from my daughter’s crazy kicking) turned around and said:

“She did so well for such a little person! And you did an amazing job with her.”

I almost burst into tears.

And the Spirit poured comfort into my heart.

My mind suddenly completely changed perspectives.

I had wanted the hard time on the plane to stop.

That’s what I prayed for.

And yet, as trivial of a situation as this may have been, Christ was there.

He had been strengthening me to endure and learn from the experience.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I just couldn’t see this until a stranger pointed it out to me, and the Spirit quietly confirmed it.

Christ often doesn’t take away the tough time, no matter how big or small it is.

Probably because He’s really good at strengthening us to endure, learn, and find moments of peace in the meantime.

But it’s often our perspectives that need to change in order to see this truth.

If you are doing your reasonable best to live your covenants…

Then Christ is likely strengthening you right now to endure.

Christ strengthens me.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Jesus strengthens me to endure first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.