I can think of a few who taught me in Young Women’s, in Seminary, at BYU, and in Sunday School that I will truly never forget. ⁣

They are some of my favorite teachers because they always pointed me to my Savior!

Sure, there might have been other teachers who were more popular or cool at the time…

But they aren’t the ones who still stick out in my mind years and years later. ⁣

These favorite teachers weren’t just always talking about themselves and why they were the best teachers–

They showed it by teaching me more about the Savior with every class. ⁣

I’m sure that Abraham was an amazing teacher as well. ⁣

Right as he was starting his ministry, I love that the Lord gave Abraham this same little lesson: ⁣

“Through THY ministry MY name shall be known in the earth forever”. (Abraham 1:19)⁣

The purpose of Abraham’s ministry was not to spread Abraham’s name far and wide. ⁣

It was to spread the Lord’s name far and wide! ⁣

And that should be our real purpose every time we teach the gospel, too.⁣

To be transparently honest, I struggle with what people might perceive of me on social media when it comes to this. ⁣

If you know me in real life, you know that I’m not pursuing fame here, and I truly have very little “pride” built up by what I do. ⁣

At the end of the day, am I pointing the people who have chosen to follow my account to Cali Black, or to Jesus Christ?⁣

I hope it’s Jesus. I hope it’s always Jesus. ⁣

My ministry is for HIS name.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My ministry for His name first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I think the adversary is super good at helping us get caught up in false benchmarks. ⁣

“Ugh, once I can actually stay up with the Come, Follow Me schedule, I’ll be okay.”⁣

“I reach out to my ministering sisters once a month so I’m good.”⁣

“If he serves a mission and gets married in the temple, then he’ll be fine.”⁣

Building our own benchmarks. ⁣

Building our own tower, brick by brick. ⁣

While those are fine and worthy goals to have, those aren’t what save us or change us. ⁣

The people in Babel had their sights set on the wrong benchmark. ⁣

“Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven”. (Genesis 11:4)⁣

We need to get closer to heaven? Okay, let’s build a big building to get there, and everything will be fine. God will bless us then. ⁣

It’s relying too much on our outward appearance to judge our closeness to the Savior. ⁣

So… what are your benchmarks to know if you are actually coming closer to Christ?⁣

They probably don’t look too impressive from the outside. ⁣

Here are a few benchmarks that I’ve tried: ⁣

Benchmarks like… becoming slower and slower to anger. ⁣

Reacting with compassion when someone tells me a story instead of judgment. ⁣

Desiring more opportunities for service and honestly seeking them out. ⁣

Finding excuses to show love as often as possible. ⁣

Thinking about Jesus and His goodness often.

Meeting outward benchmarks will never save us, just like the Tower of Babel didn’t save the citizens of Babel.

It’s what’s on the inside that matters, and that’s a little bit more difficult to measure. But it’s worth putting the real effort there!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Building our own tower first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The choir I was accompanying sang every note with conviction. ⁣

By the time I played the chord along with their final “to rule again!”, the Spirit was palpable. ⁣

I remember thinking I could have cut the air with a knife. The Spirit was so strong. ⁣

I lifted my fingers off the keys and sat in awe during the powerful closing prayer for the fireside we were at. ⁣

Once the prayer finished, I was in the unique position to look up at the faces of everyone in the choir. ⁣

Everyone was beaming. There was light emanating from each face. ⁣

The fireside that had just concluded?

It was given by a sculptor who had an exhibit of depictions of Christ. ⁣

She had spoken of Christ the entire time. ⁣

The pure Spirit was present as she bore testimony and taught of Him. ⁣

So for us to punctuate her testimony with ours in musical form, still preaching purely of Christ…⁣

It was unforgettable and undeniable. ⁣

I have testimonies of prophets and tithing. ⁣

I have testimonies of church and service. ⁣

I have testimonies of families and miracles. ⁣

But at the end of the day, at the center of it all, is my Savior, Jesus Christ. ⁣

He is the reason for everything else. ⁣

So when I bear record of Jesus Christ, and what His life, sacrifice, and example mean to me, that is when the Spirit is the strongest. ⁣

Because I know that He lives, I can be of good cheer. ⁣

I can let my fears be absorbed into peace. ⁣

Because I know He is standing by me. He never leaves me, even though my heart is prone to wander from Him. ⁣

My Savior is at the center of it all. ⁣

I treasure all aspects of this gospel and of my testimony. ⁣

But when I bear pure testimony of my Savior, I am brought even closer to Him. ⁣

My fear dissipates, my joy increases, and I am reminded of His constance. ⁣

I believe in Christ. ⁣

“I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” – D&C 68:6

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I Believe in Christ  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

They tell me about a dramatic, heartbreaking event in their lives.

I offer condolences and empathy.

And then they tell me something like:

“I actually don’t really feel that sad about it.

“I thought that this would be worse, but I just feel this sense of peace.”

And I say:

“YES! I know exactly what you mean!”

Because I’ve also had not-so-great things happen in my life.

And even though logic would tell me that I should be in deep despair, I have felt an underlying undeniable peace.

And this, my friends, is what I’ve learned is the true blessing of the gospel.

The true blessing of the gospel isn’t that we will be healed when we get sick.

It isn’t that we will have amazing jobs.

It isn’t that loved ones won’t die.

It isn’t that our bank accounts will stay full.

The true blessing is described beautifully here:

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (D&C 19:23)

That is the perfect blessing that Jesus offers.

Not perfect lives, but perfect PEACE that comes with being a follower of Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace in Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I told her that I couldn’t even imagine what she was going through and that she was in my prayers as she prepared. ⁣

She responded:

“It’s really been such a beautiful ride. All of it. I think it comes down to, do you trust Him? And I trust Him so I’ve just felt peace. Do you know what I mean?”

And I knew EXACTLY what she meant.

I’ve had similar moments.

Those times where, on paper, everything should seem dark.

The diagnosis.

The loss.

The heartbreak.

These times should be dark. ⁣

Maybe you are going through a time that, on paper, sounds pretty dark right now. ⁣

Whatever version of “hard” you’ve been dealt right now. ⁣

But the sign of Christ’s birth in the Americas wasn’t just for the Nephites and Lamanites. ⁣

This is what Christ has always done.

This is what He continues to do. ⁣

When the sun goes down, when things are SUPPOSED to be dark,⁣

He brings us that light. ⁣

The whole night long. ⁣

He doesn’t erase the night.

He doesn’t usually get rid of the tough situation. ⁣

But He gives us that sustaining light THROUGH the night.

The power to see true perspective, to see His plan, to feel His love. ⁣

“Oh Savior, stay this night with me.”⁣

What a beautiful gift that He gives us, that I can never even begin to repay. ⁣

“…at the going down of the sun there was no darkness”. (3 Nephi 1:15)

He makes things light, especially when it should be dark.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It should be dark, right? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

As the Israelites escaped from the Egyptians, they, “walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” (Exodus 14:29)

There have been so many times in my life where dangerous and chaotic waters are swirling all around me.

Lost jobs, financial setbacks, or emotional trials have made it seem like everything is piling up.

It has seemed overwhelming. Like I’m just one step from it all crashing down.

And anyone else looking into my life would see how turbulent it is.

But yet…

My feet have stayed on dry ground.

I have felt peace.

I’ve had others join me on the journey so that I feel supported.

I’ve focused on just taking that next step forward.

All because of Jesus Christ.

He is the one who makes it all possible.

The chaos and the swirling waters pile up sometimes.

But they don’t need to mean my destruction when I have faith in Jesus Christ.

When I keep looking forward and taking a step.

Even when that step forward means the waters are getting even higher and higher.

There is peace in Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Waters all around  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And I’ve really felt this as my spiritual superpower.

It’s so tempting to think that if we have faith in God, our circumstances will be calm.

But the Savior didn’t come to the earth bringing peace to all nations.

He came to share a message of personal peace.

And Joseph Smith was given a similar message in the depths of Liberty Jail.

“My son, peace be unto thy soul”. D&C 121:7

Not “Hey, you’ll get out of here tomorrow. Enjoy your new peaceful circumstances.”

But instead, “I understand this is brutal. And yet you can still feel peace in your own soul.”

The answer can be found in one of my favorite songs:

“When there’s no peace on earth,

“There is peace in Christ.”

Christ is the answer.

Peace on earth is a great thing to hope for, but it is not something that we have been promised.

Personal peace is a blessing available to each of us.

No matter your kids’ choices.

No matter what your friend did.

No matter the activity that got cancelled or the new restrictions.

No matter any political decision.

No matter the family drama.

No matter death, financial struggles, or separation.

We can understand what’s going on around us, and still feel peace on the inside.

It can be found in any difficult circumstances, including after three months of confinement, starvation, and mental torture.

Peace can be found in Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace in Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The choir I was accompanying sang every note with conviction.

By the time I played the chord along with their final “to rule again!”, the Spirit was palpable.

I remember thinking I could have cut the air with a knife. The spirit was so strong.

I lifted my fingers off the keys and sat in awe during the powerful closing prayer for the fireside we were at.

Once the prayer finished, I was in the unique position to look up at the faces of everyone in the choir.

Everyone was beaming. There was light emanating from each face.

The fireside that had just concluded?

It was given by a sculptor who had an exhibit of depictions of Christ.

She had spoken of Christ the entire time.

The pure Spirit was present as she bore testimony and taught of Him.

So to punctuate her testimony with ours in musical form, still preaching purely of Christ…

It was unforgettable and undeniable.

I have testimonies of prophets and tithing.

I have testimonies of church and service.

I have testimonies of families and miracles.

But at the end of the day, at the center of it all, is my Savior, Jesus Christ.

He is the reason for everything else.

So when I bear record of Jesus Christ, and what His life, sacrifice, and example mean to me, that is when the Spirit is the strongest.

Because I know that He lives, I can be of good cheer.

I can let my fears be absorbed into peace.

Because I know He is standing by me. He never leaves me, even though my heart is prone to wander from Him.

The Savior is at the center of it all.

I treasure all aspects of this gospel and of my testimony.

But when I bear pure testimony of my Savior, I am brought even closer to Him.

My fear dissipates, my joy increases, and I am reminded of His constance.

I believe in Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I believe in Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And then I got into choirs in High School. All of a sudden, we were adding nuanced dynamics and shaping phrases. My mind was blown! This was so much more exciting, and took a lot more practice and focus.

And then I got into the Women’s Chorus at BYU. Suddenly, we were focusing on where the sound was resonating in your mouth when you sing, different styles of vibrato and tone, and tuning notes that didn’t sound that “off” to me.

If you had taken me to a BYU Choir concert when I was 12 years old, I would have said that the choirs sounded amazing because they were all singing the right notes.

If you had taken me to a BYU Choir concert when I was 17 years old, I would have told you how amazing their dynamics and phrasing were.

We only notice what we have the capacity to notice.

I like to think of some of the most Christlike people that I have known in my life.

When I was 12 years old, I would have told you they were Christlike because they were reading their scriptures and going to church.

When I was 17 years old, I would have told you they were Christlike because they were also kind and loving.

And now, at 29, I notice that they also regularly attend the temple. They volunteer to serve. They invite the spirit into their lives. They act on promptings regularly.

I only notice what I know to notice.

The Lord taught in D&C 50:24:

“He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

At the beginning of our spiritual journey, we have light— but only a little.

And so I’ve been seeking to add more and more light to my life.

To gain more light and knowledge so that I recognize what other light and knowledge I still need.

And I know that my light can become brighter and brighter as I slowly become more and more Christlike, not even realizing what more I lack until I get to that next step.

Light adding to light, becoming brighter and brighter.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

It’s a kids’ board book about Jesus visiting the Nephites, and it has a giant picture of Jesus on the front cover.

She calls it her “scriptures” or her “Jesus book”.

She was SO excited to find it.

And then we all piled into the car to get some groceries from the store.

As I pulled her out of her carseat, she grabbed her book, which she had, of course, brought in the car.

We started walking toward the main doors for the store, and a man was out there greeting and handing out carts.

Quin raised the book up high and said to the man:

“Look! I found my Jesus book!”

The man gave an awkward smile.

I quickly walked her inside the store and felt pretty embarrassed.

And then… I felt really sad about how embarrassed I was.

Why did I care what that man thought of my daughter and me?

I want her to learn to be comfortable talking about Jesus in front of other people and sharing her little testimony.

And yet, in the rush of the moment, I lost sight of that and only focused on caring about what someone else thought.

When the Lord talks about James Covel in D&C 40:2, the Lord teaches us that one reason James decided not to join the church was due to “fear… of the cares of the world”.

Are we afraid of being “that person” who talks about Jesus all the time?

Of course, I personally want to share my testimony of Jesus with tact and respect. Intentionally making others feel awkward is never something I aspire to do.

But I also want to never be held down by the “cares of the world” when it comes to sharing my testimony.

If you know me, Cali Black, you know that I talk about Jesus, and that’s just how it is.

I think there’s a reason we’ve been asked to leave the cares of the world behind, and to only focus on our Savior.

I think it’s because at the end of the day, when we pass on from this life, the cares of the world will no longer hold any meaning.

But our relationship with our Savior will have all the meaning in the world.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The cares of the world first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.