Going to church is like going to a hospital. We are all sinners, each in need of help.

I love this analogy! 

But the one difference I’ve noticed is that when you show up to a hospital, an army of nurses, techs, assistants, and doctors is ready to focus on you.

When we go to church, yes, there are some amazing leaders who can help support our most serious spiritual needs.

But for the most part, we all gather together, each of us needing spiritual healing, and we might wonder, “Who will actually help me?” 

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.” (Isaiah 41:6)

Yes, we are all patients.

But we are also all the nurses.

We get to listen with love.

We get to share smiles with someone who desperately needs them.

We get to laugh together.

We get to help each other.

We get to say “hi.”

We get to encourage people to continue, even in difficult times. 

We are the patient AND the nurse.

And the Christlike secret is that when we minister to the people around us and step into our roles as spiritual helpers and encouragers, we find healing for our wounded souls, too.

We help lift and give courage to each other, while pointing ourselves toward the Master Healer who can truly transform us. 

“I can guarantee that there will always be someone at every Church meeting you attend who is lonely, who is going through challenges and needs a friend, or who feels like he or she doesn’t belong. You have something important to contribute to every meeting or activity, and the Lord desires for you to look around at your peers and then minister as He would.” – Bonnie L. Oscarson

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Be of good courage first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

He was the guy who was foreordained to prepare the path for Christ, preaching fearlessly and using his priesthood power to baptize. ⁣

John the Baptist was amazing. ⁣

In Isaiah 40:3, we read this prophecy: ⁣

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord”. ⁣(Isaiah 40:3)

But… what if we turned that prophecy around and looked at ourselves for a bit?⁣

How do you and I prepare the way for Jesus right now? ⁣

We absolutely are working together to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of the Savior, gathering Israel and getting ready for Christ’s return. ⁣

But what about on a smaller, more personal level?⁣

I’ve been thinking recently that I want to prepare the way for Jesus to come into the hearts of everyone that I meet. ⁣

It’s a lofty goal. ⁣

But I want to prepare the way for Jesus to get to other people. ⁣

I want every interaction that I have to leave everyone feeling so seen, loved, and noticed, that the Spirit has a place to enter into their hearts and testify of a truth that they need. ⁣

And no matter their religious affiliation, I think everyone needs a little message from Jesus in their heart. ⁣

Whether they are old or young. ⁣

Whether they are a member of my family or not. ⁣

Everyone needs a little more of the Spirit of God in their hearts, delivering any message that they need to hear in that moment. ⁣

I want to prepare the way for Jesus to come anywhere that I go.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Prepare for Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“A marvelous work and a wonder.”⁣

I think of temples dotting the earth, messages from prophets that are spread instantly throughout the globe, well-oiled service systems ready to go in times of disaster. ⁣

There is indeed a great and marvelous work, filled with wonder, filling the earth today. ⁣

But what about in my little life?⁣

“I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder”. (Isaiah 29:14) ⁣

Right before and after this verse, the Lord is actually talking about changing the prideful and hypocritical tendencies of people’s hearts. ⁣

I think one of the coolest, most marvelous wonders that the Lord can do is on an individual, personal scale. ⁣

I remember some super rude things that I’ve said to someone, feeling completely justified. ⁣

And now I feel embarrassed about it, and would never say something like that. ⁣

I remember having very judgmental thoughts in my mind almost constantly. ⁣

And now I have a lot more love in my heart. ⁣

I remember coming up with excuses for why I can’t keep certain commandments or principles of the gospel. ⁣

And now I sincerely want to follow the best I can. ⁣

What a marvelous work and a wonder He has done on my heart and on my will. ⁣

And just to be clear, there is a WHOLE lot more work to go. ⁣

In fact, the more Christlike my heart becomes, the more aware I am of just how far away I am from being Christlike. ⁣

The temples, the missionary force, the buildings, the service opportunities, the conferences…⁣

It’s all amazing. ⁣

But it isn’t amazing just because it’s huge and grandiose and super cool. ⁣

It’s amazing because it allows our Savior Jesus Christ to do a marvelous work and a wonder in as many individual hearts as will let Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The most marvelous work and wonder first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me”. (Isaiah 29:13) ⁣

That person who gave a great lesson about loving others but then said something rude. ⁣

That guy who talked about the importance of serving others but can’t show up to help at the ward service project. ⁣

That family member who tells you not to judge, and then says judgmental comments all the time. ⁣

We could all sit around and point fingers endlessly. ⁣

But what about if we turned that finger around and looked at ourselves for a bit?⁣

Could you give a great spiritual thought about the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy by doing good things that bring you closer to Christ?⁣

How does that compare with your actual Sabbath observance?⁣

Could you talk about the importance of temples?⁣

How does that compare with your feelings about your personal worship in the temple and your attendance habits? ⁣

Could you give lots of reasons for why it’s so easy and important to share the gospel with other people?⁣

How does that compare with your willingness to bring up gospel topics with people who aren’t members of this church?⁣

At the end of the day, we ALL are able to teach about certain gospel principles much better than we are able to live them. ⁣

But here’s what I’ve learned about what actually matters most:⁣

Where is your heart?⁣

Our lips and our actions aren’t always going to align. ⁣

But our heart can be aligned with our lips and our actions. ⁣

Our actions will fall short, even though we have good intentions. ⁣

We wanted to serve but got too tired, we tried to make the Sabbath a delight but the kids are crazy, we want to love the temple more but we haven’t gone in a long time. ⁣

“Jesus Christ blesses those who want to improve and who try to keep the commandments. We always get credit for trying.” -Elder Holland⁣

We always get credit for trying. ⁣

…But we have to really try.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Knowing vs. Loving first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I heard someone say something similar to this recently. ⁣

To anyone who has studied child development, there are pretty clearly lots of different reasons why this toddler didn’t help. ⁣

The task may have been too broad and overwhelming, there may have been a distraction, they may not have understood exactly what the mom was wanting, it may have seemed like a boring thing to do, maybe they literally could not do it… ⁣

The possibilities are endless! ⁣

Anyone with a kid knows that just telling them to do something one time won’t immediately give you the lasting result that you may be hoping for. ⁣

And the funny thing that I think most of us forget is that we are exactly the same, no matter our age. ⁣

If I could just do what I was told to do all of the time, without any reminders or assistance, then I would never get frustrated, I’d have no sins, I’d never forget anything, and I’d just be perfect. ⁣

Keep the sabbath holy. Oh okay, got it!⁣

Always be kind. Yup, perfect, I’ll do that now. ⁣

Make the temple a priority. Okay yes, done! ⁣

Nope. ⁣

Not realistic for anyone!⁣

Not employees in the workplace. Not for us in our spiritual journeys. Not for little kids learning how to function. ⁣

So how do we do it? ⁣

Do we just throw our hands up in despair and think that our kids will never learn how to clean their messes up?⁣

Or that we’ll never figure out how to actually pray consistently? ⁣

Of course not. ⁣

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little”. (Isaiah 28:10)⁣

Little steps. ⁣

It’s breaking the big task into smaller chunks that are more achievable. ⁣

It’s feeling excitement when even just a little bit of progress is made. ⁣

It’s being okay of having to give, or even receiving, reminders over and over again. ⁣

And so much more. ⁣

God is a perfect teacher in the same way that we can attempt to be good teachers for the rising generation. ⁣

Step by step. ⁣

Line upon line. ⁣

Here a little and there a little.⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Step by step first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I have… in the last week!⁣

Arizona summers always baffle me. ⁣

Most of the summer is marked by heat. ⁣

Like, extreme heat. ⁣

That sweat-dripping-down-your-back, blindingly bright, triple-digit heat of the summer. ⁣

One of my favorite feelings is walking into my air-conditioned house and feeling that dramatic difference. ⁣

And then every once in a while, a monsoon moves through the desert. ⁣

Often without warning, high winds, thick dust storms, pounding rain, roaring thunder, and constant lightning crash through the valley. ⁣

Trampolines and trees everywhere, roads flooded.⁣

Just a few days ago, I sat inside my home as a monsoon roared through, grateful for walls, windows, and a roof strong enough to hold the danger outside. ⁣

I couldn’t help but notice the familiarity of these two phrases that Isaiah writes about the Lord:⁣

“For thou hast been … a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat”. (Isaiah 25:4) ⁣

A refuge from the storm.

Some summer monsoons are small, and some are destructive and costly. ⁣

But He is there as a refuge during those storms. ⁣

Giving me peace to endure. Peace with whatever the outcome is. Peace when everything else is chaotic. ⁣

And He’s a shadow from the heat. ⁣

That oppressive, all-encompassing uncomfortable heat. ⁣

He has been that relief. Making my load feel a little lighter. Giving me comfort. ⁣

And yet my mortal mind still forgets to turn to Him sometimes. ⁣

I’ll be out wandering in the intense heat, or trying to endure a powerful storm, and I forget to ask for help. ⁣

I forget that He is the refuge and the shadow that my soul so desperately needs. ⁣

But as soon… AS SOON as I remember Him, that protection and that relief is there. ⁣

He is my refuge and my shadow. ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Storms and heat first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

He has so many titles, symbolic and literal, that are found throughout scripture.

But I’ve never realized WHY I think I love these names and title of Jesus Christ until recently.

As we’ve studied all the Psalms and focused on “praise,” I’ve pondered on how do I really stop and praise the Lord.

And… I think looking at all the names of Christ has always been my answer.

His many names give me new insights about who He is and what He does, allowing my heart and soul to worship on all the different divine attributes He so perfectly holds.

Isaiah gives us a beautiful list of titles for the Lord:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Looking at Christ’s names can help us learn how to glorify Him even better.

Hit titles give us concrete roles that we can explore, emulate, and admire.

“When life feels infuriatingly unfair and finding the strength to glory in the Lord seems difficult, reflect on the meaning of His divine names and let Him restore peace to your soul.” – Aaron T. Hall

Of course, there are so many more names than what Isaiah lists, but I’m grateful for the different titles that help me remember who He is and what He does in my life.

Which names have been most meaningful to you right now?

And maybe consider how consistently studying the names of Christ can help you worship Him even better.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The names of Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“I know everyone says that bishops aren’t perfect, but I didn’t realize they would call someone so normal like us!”⁣

“Oh no, we are going to be judged a lot.”⁣

“This isn’t a convenient time in our life.”⁣

“Will I ever see my husband again?”⁣

“Hey this actually might be a lot of fun!”⁣

… and a lot more weird, conflicting thoughts. ⁣

But it’s like our stake president could read my mind as we sat there in his office, processing the call. ⁣

He very wisely said:⁣

“The Lord didn’t call you guys because you are perfect. Or even near-perfect. The Lord has called you because you are willing to serve.”⁣

Prophets, apostles, bishops, RS presidents, counselors, teachers, ministering brothers and sisters of any kind throughout time have not been perfect. ⁣

I’ve loved reading in the Old Testament this year about flawed, VERY FLAWED, humans that God used to spread His message and accomplish miracles. ⁣

But He was able to use them because they were WILLING to serve. ⁣

Isaiah, the man that we often revere as some kind of special guy who could spout off powerful prophecy that is complicated and deeply spiritual, felt unworthy for his call, too!⁣

He felt so inadequate. ⁣

But then the Lord cleansed Isaiah from his sins, and he had a change of heart:⁣

“I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)⁣

Now Isaiah was ready to accept the call. ⁣

Not because he no longer had any weaknesses or desire to sin. ⁣

Not because he would always make good decisions in the future. ⁣

But because he was now willing to accept the call. ⁣

That’s all God really wants from us. ⁣

Willing moms and dads.

Willing ministering brothers and sisters. ⁣

Willing missionaries. ⁣

Willing musicians. ⁣

Willing scriptorians. ⁣

Willing hearts. ⁣

He wants you, not in some future, perfected state. ⁣

But exactly as you are right now, if you are willing to give your heart to Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post But I’m not perfect! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Like ALL over. ⁣

Before washing the shirt, I treated it with some stain remover. ⁣

When I pulled the shirt out of the washing machine, I realized you could still totally see the stain. ⁣

I started googling all the tips and tricks to get this kind of stain out, and realized we probably weren’t going to have much luck. ⁣

I tried a few different cleaners, but I wasn’t having much luck on this light-colored shirt. ⁣

Eventually, the shirt had to get relegated to a painting/messy shirt.

When something is stained, it takes so much work to get the mark out. ⁣

And let’s be real, even if you “get” the stain out, there is usually some sort of faint marking that never lets you forget what used to be there. ⁣

I think that’s what makes this famous scripture so powerful: ⁣

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) ⁣

Repentance is so complete and whole, that after we feel sorrow and turn our heart back to God, the place where the sin used to be is now as white as snow.⁣

No stains left behind. ⁣

No lingering remnant of when “we used to…”⁣

No discernible difference than something that had never been stained in the first place. ⁣

From large sins with life-altering effects, to smaller omissions or changes in attitude. ⁣

The Savior can help create a future with us that has no trace of what we are willing to leave behind. ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No stains left behind first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Its spirit brings peace and joy to my heart. 

But at a stake conference I attended, a visiting general authority taught us that we often mistakenly attribute the temple’s power to the temple itself.

We talk as if the building had a unique power. 

Why are temples so amazing?!

It’s because they are the literal houses of the Lord! ⁣

Jesus Christ’s spirit is even more present within the temple walls.

That’s really what the “special spirit of the temple” is really all about.⁣

Isaiah taught:

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”⁣ (Isaiah 2:3)

Yes, the temple is amazing.

But it is amazing because it is filled with the power of Jesus Christ.

The temple is where we go to learn about Jesus, to be taught by Jesus, and to be in Jesus’ home.

It’s all about Jesus!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Spirit of the Temple first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.