An angel had visited Alma the Younger in Alma’s youth.

The angel reprimanded Alma and called him to repentance.

And Alma repented!

Now, years later, an angel visited Alma on his missionary path, praised him for his efforts, and told him to return to the city of Ammonihah.

This angel said, “. . . thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him.

“Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.” (Alma 8:15)

Did you catch that?

This angel was the SAME ANGEL who had visited Alma in his troubled youth.

And now he was directing Alma as a powerful missionary of God!

Same angel, two totally different Almas.

I don’t often think about the emotions that angels feel…

But can you imagine how this angel felt?!

Probably filled with humble joy to witness Alma’s growth.

Probably filled with righteous pride to see how Alma had changed.

Angels are still with us today!

They are sent to guide our paths and bring us comfort. ⁣

Some people have sacred spiritual gifts that allow them to recognize the presence of angels more than others…

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

We are also surrounded by mortal friends and family members who can act as literal angels as they listen to promptings and respond.

God will never leave us alone and without help.

And I have a feeling that angels are probably so excited to assist!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post SAME angel! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I mean, yes, an angel says it each time.

But I think it’s interesting to look at the other context for these three times:

1. Matthew 1:20 “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife”.

Joseph is told to FEAR NOT to do a really hard thing that had been asked of him.

To do something different than what society expected. 

2. Luke 1:13 “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son”. 

Zacharias is told to FEAR NOT because the whole circumstances of his life were going to be changing soon.

To fear not that the Lord hasn’t been hearing his prayers. 

3. Luke 1:30 “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”

Mary is told to FEAR NOT after wondering her standing with God.

She doesn’t think she’s the right person, but she is told that she has found favor with Him and to not fear.

Fear creeps into our lives so many shapes and forms.

Fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of being ridiculed, fear of being wrong…

But God sends His messengers to remind us that we don’t need to dwell in fear.

He will provide the miracle.

He will make the worldly mocking seem like nothing.

He will reassure us of our standing before Him.

He will answer our prayers.

He is aware of every single little detail, every little nuance of our specific situation.

And still, He invites us to fear not.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post 3 Fearful circumstances  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And teeeeechnically I was.

I put in my notice and got ready to leave.

But I noticed that my thoughts kept turning to almost “accusing” thoughts toward the Spirit for the (very strong and undeniable) prompting that I was following.

“Okay, fine, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do! I hope there’s something good in the future.”

“I’m not sure how this is going to work out.”

“You told me to do this and I’m just following the prompting.”

I wanted the Lord to answer all of my questions.

I wanted Him to eliminate any sign of doubt or risk.

And if He wouldn’t, then I felt like I had a reason to be frustrated.

Has your life ever gone in a completely different direction than you had hoped or expected?

I LOVE young Mary’s strong example.

When she learned about a future that she very much had not expected for herself, she didn’t turn accusatory.

Instead, she turned curious.

“How shall this be?” (Luke 1:34)

She was humble and faith-filled and curious

I’ve found much more connection with God when I’ve focused on asking my questions with a “curious” mindset instead of an “accusing” mindset.

“Oh, I’m supposed to quit my job? Wow, that is scary, but I’m really interested to see what exciting things You have planned for my life next!”

In fact, I think our questions to the Lord tend to reveal a lot about our hearts!

When we receive an answer from the Lord, do we show distrust and resentment, even if we align our actions?

Or do we show humility and faith in the way we approach the Lord with our questions?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Curious and humble Mary first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

For some reason, I get a little emotional when I think about the angel who visited Alma and told him to return to Ammonihah.

Because we get a small glimpse of this unknown angel’s emotions.

This angel praises Alma in a way that only someone who sees the “big picture” can do.

He tells Alma to lift up his head and rejoice, because he has stayed faithful and kept the commandments. And not to let his head hang down because of perceived “failures”.

And then I can hear the hint of pride and love in the angel’s words as he reminds Alma that he was the same angel who had appeared to him during his first life-changing vision.

But I have a feeling Alma didn’t need the reminder of who the angel was.

What a cool privilege for this angel – to be the one to twice visit Alma and guide his paths.

I imagine that this small encounter outside of Ammonihah was an emotional one.

And has the day of angels ceased today?

Absolutely not.

Angels, both seen and unseen, are still sent to guide us on our path and bring comfort.

I believe that it is a sacred and special spiritual gift for some to be able to recognize their presence more than others.

But we are also surrounded by mortal friends and family members who can act as literal angels as they listen to promptings and respond.

Ultimately, God will not leave us alone and unaided.

Whether he can use a loving mother, an inspired friend, or send a literal angel’s presence, we will not be alone when we trust that God will provide.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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