In all my posts on Instagram over the past couple years on @comefollowmestudy, I have done my best to have the Spirit with me when I write.
I try to pay attention to little promptings, and I feel proud about every piece of writing that I post on my account.
I also have received countless messages where people have told me that something I wrote has been an answer to their prayers– some even in specific and dramatic ways.
I don’t say this to make myself sound awesome. In fact, I want to make a point about this–
I am not authorized to receive revelation for any of you.
I have not been set apart with priesthood power, nor have I entered into a priesthood covenant that gives me stewardship over any of you (unless my children or members of my Sunday School class are reading this).
I AM grateful that Heavenly Father wants to answer your prayers and give many of you comfort, and that He sometimes uses the words that I write or speak in order to answer those prayers.
But I think it is super important to know who we have stewardship over– and who we don’t.
I LOVE that the Lord is so organized when it comes to how revelation happens in this church.
The Lord reminded Joseph and Oliver in Section 28:2 that “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.”
So the prophet is the only person who can receive revelation for the entire church!
When I’m deciding whether or not an activity is appropriate for the Sabbath day, I can look to the prophet and other general leaders for their counsel.
And if there isn’t anything specifically about my situation, I can use my best judgment and personal revelation to make my decision.
And then I don’t have to worry AT ALL about what my neighbor chooses to do or not do on the Sabbath… because I don’t have any stewardship over them!
But I can help and guide my children on what we do on Sundays, because I do have stewardship over them.
And then I can be inspired with how to teach my Sunday School class about the Sabbath day in a way that might be an answer to their prayers. I have been set apart with priesthood power to teach them.
I think it is so important to know who we have stewardship over, and to help guide and teach those people.
And it’s equally important to know who we don’t have stewardship over, so that we can love and lift them where they are.
God’s house is a house of order.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
4 Responses
I love the “don’t worry about what your neighbors are doing”… the whole idea of who we have stewardship over. When do we let go of our children ? At age 16, or 18? At some point they are on their own. That is tricky for parents – and spouses whose other half has distanced themselves from the church.
It really is a tough one when you’re dealing with your own children. We always want to keep an eye out for our children and help them, but at some point they need to learn to receive their own revelations for themselves.
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.
I’ve always loved this thought from President Kimball and find it so true as we reach out and help those within our stewardship.