I’ve heard it said that we’re in the middle of a loneliness pandemic and I certainly see the evidence for that all around me.

Just these past few weeks, I’ve had to ask for a lot of favors and help from friends, and each time I feel a little bit guilty because shouldn’t I be able to be self-sufficient?

For some reason, we think that we need to do everything all on our own.

And this causes us to stay to ourselves more, and then it becomes a self-reinforcing cycle.

I have been blessed with some amazing friends and family who are willing to help me out when needed, and I hope I’m able to offer that in return as much as possible!

But when we go through really tough times, it’s hard to remember that there are more “with us” than those who are “with them”.

We know that there are more on the other side who are supporting us, loving us, and cheering us on.

But there are still a lot of people who are with the “other side”. Or at least not with us.

But I couldn’t help but ponder on the word MORE.

What if MORE wasn’t just referring to quantity, but instead referring to the vastly superior quality?

God will always be MORE than anyone else.

Temple covenants will always be more.

Priesthood power will always be more.

Unshakable faith will always be more.

Love of God and love of others will always be more.

Eternal families will always be more.

Selfless service and sacrifice will always be more.

Obedience to a loving Heavenly Father will always be more.

When we are on God’s side, we will always have more and be more than enough.

The numbers and quantities don’t really matter.

Plus there’s always room for more on God‘s side anyways!

We know what our eternal destiny can be.

And it will always be more than what anyone else has to offer.

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God will always be MORE first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The kids were both in the stroller, and I was catching up on finally responding to some emails, texts, and DMs on my phone as I pushed.

It was nice.

And then my daughter wanted to get out of the stroller.

I stopped and she started walking right next to me.

All of a sudden, she wanted to talk about everything.

Every flower she saw. Every number on every house. Every dog or decoration.

I still had my phone in my hand, but I was no longer able to be “productive” on the walk.

So I put my phone away.

She didn’t want to just go on a walk.

She wanted to walk with her mom.

And that meant communication and connection.

It was a fun little walk before she got tired and wanted to get back in the stroller.

I’ve been trying to think about what it means to really walk with the Lord.

And I think my daughter showed me the perfect example.

We need to be doing the things that He is doing.

We need to be talking with Him. Communicating in prayers, both formal and informal.

We need to be finding connection with the Lord. Asking questions, making observations, learning.

“The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way”. (Genesis 24:40)

So when we make the effort to walk with God, He not only walks with us…

He then also sends angels to accompany us on our walk.

Angels to guide, comfort, communicate, prosper our way.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Walk With the Lord 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.