I love it when Nephi said: “Awake, my soul!”

This has always resonated with me because it is SO EASY to become apathetic.

To get caught up in the mundane tasks, and the to-do lists, and even the fun stuff.

But is my soul really awake?

Or am I numbing it every chance I get and filling all my time with… stuff?

Time to watch a show, but no time to open my Gospel Library app and ponder on a few verses.

Or even when I am involved in good, fun things, am I engaged?

Is my soul awake?

This is the message the Lord wanted Enoch to take to the people, too!

“Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.” (Moses 6:33)

Wake up!

Make the choice today, and every single day.

Find a way to serve God, and then do it.

It’s such an empowering sentiment, right?

When it’s tempting to complain because of XYZ that happened at church today, or to judge and talk about others, or to be overwhelmed by how much has to get done…

That’s the easy stuff. That’s the path of least resistance.

It takes decision-making, courage, and devotion to actually choose to love the Lord today.

And then to serve Him in some way.

Serve Him by adding more love into your home today.

Serve your spouse in a new way.

Text a friend who is dealing with something rough.

Read a few scriptures and say a prayer of gratitude.

Listen to a talk and resolve to try something new this week as a result.

Create something beautiful.

Learn more about someone who you think is very different from you and feel God’s love for them.

The possibilities are endless, and we can choose new things each day!

Is your soul awake today?

Wake up, choose the Lord, and serve Him by adding more goodness to the world!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It’s time to WAKE UP! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

All my plans, my new-year-organization strategies have been thrown out the window as I’ve been knocked sick.

I do a lot each week that requires everything to run pretty close to clockwork.

There were many times this thought has run through my head as I’ve seen deadlines pass, work pile up, house projects left undone:

“This has all gone wrong.”

This isn’t how my new year, just a few months away from having a new baby, was supposed to start.

Have you ever thought this before?

“This has all gone wrong.”

There have been a few, much more serious times in my life when I’ve thought this, too.

But what I’ve learned is one of the most comforting, eternal truths:

“All flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.” (Moses 6:32)

God is in control.

And if God is in control, nothing is going to “go wrong”.

Now, don’t misunderstand: I’ve learned this does NOT mean that nothing will ever go wrong in my little mortal point of view.

But in the grand, eternal scheme of things, God isn’t letting any little decision I make, any sickness, any bump in the road throw a wrench into any of His plans.

God can do anything at any time.

So if I believe that, then how can I change my perspective right now?

“If I give this all to God, nothing can go wrong.”

Nothing goes wrong when I give it to God.

Deadlines will work themselves out. Or maybe I’ll miss them and things will be fine. Or maybe I’ll get clarity on things I need to drop anyways.

And it feels SO much better to think this way.

He’s got my back.

Nothing can go wrong.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It’s all gone wrong! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When the first paper was due, the professor highly suggested we meet with the Teacher Assistants (TA’s) to go over it before turning it in.

I didn’t bother doing this; I was sure I could figure it out on my own.

And… when I got my grade on my final paper, I did not like it.

I realized I had misunderstood one portion of the paper prompt.

This poor grade on the paper brought my overall class grade down dramatically!

So guess what I did for the SECOND paper of the class?

When that second paper was almost due, I signed up to meet with a TA.

It was completely free, only took about 15 minutes of my time, and she told me exactly what to fix.

She also made note of my name so that when I turned my paper in, she would be the one to grade it.

It was literally such a painless and easy process.

Guess what grade I got on that paper?

A literal perfect score.

I was frustrated with myself for not meeting with a TA the first time around. Why had I left such simple, free help on the table?!

I imagine Enoch felt a similar exacerbation as he spoke to the wicked people.

In Moses 6:43 he says, “Why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?”

In other words, why are you trying to give each other counsel and figure it out yourselves, when you have a loving God who literally wants to tell you all of the exact right things to do to make it back to Him?!

We don’t have to guess.

God WANTS to help us each step of the way.

But we do have to ask and claim the help we’ve been offered.

Are we leaving heavenly help on the table by forgetting to ask for it?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Leaving help on the table first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I remember the beautiful dress I got to wear, I remember the family who came into town, and I remember that I only had to be dunked under the water once. (Whew!)

What I’ve realized now is that we often refer to this day as our “baptism day”, right?

And yet I’ve grown to learn that receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the most important things that happened to me on that day.

Enoch had this figured out, though.

As Enoch taught the wicked people around him, he taught that God wanted them to turn to Him, believe, repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

But then He mentions the reason.

Why do we want to have faith and repent and be baptized?

“If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men…

“Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.” (Moses 6:52)

What a cool perspective, right?

Obviously, making covenants at baptism is an important part of that ordinance, and I don’t want to minimize baptism at all.

And faith and repentance have individual benefits on their own.

But overall, the purpose of these gospel-essential steps are to prepare each of us to be worthy to actually receive the companionship of a member of the Godhead!

The companionship of a member of the Godhead.

The ability to be prompted, comforted, guided, taught, protected by One who has the same united purpose with our Father and our Savior.

I’m so grateful for the day 22 years ago when I was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Why are we baptized? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I love this!

I’m very aware of all my weaknesses and struggles.

And I love working to improve them!

But again… I’m VERY aware of all my weaknesses and struggles.

And I think this is why I love Enoch so much.

The Lord called him to preach repentance to those around him.

Enoch’s first response?

“He bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying:

“Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?” (Moses 6:31)

Isn’t Enoch all of us?

We get asked to serve.

Maybe it’s an official calling that’s extended to us.

But maybe it’s a general calling from the Lord that we feel when someone gives a talk about missionary service, or ministering, or temple service, or family history.

Or maybe it’s a unique calling you feel the Spirit has told just you.

It’s easy to immediately go to all of our shortcomings.

“I’m too young!”

“I’m not that popular.”

“That’s not something I’m good at.”

Do you think God doesn’t already know all this? The loving Creator and Father of our souls?

He’s not looking for servants who think of every reason they can’t serve.

He’s looking for His children who will get to work.

Despite their age. Despite their lack of talent. Despite their fears. Despite their limitations and busy schedules. Despite their pride.

He’s looking for people who aren’t concerned with the HOW.

He’s just looking for people who are ready to serve in their own imperfect way, with God as their guide.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Enoch’s imperfections first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.