We need hands that are virtually always doing something. ⁣

We need flashy white teeth to help eat and enjoy yummy treats. ⁣

We need super smart brains that are always planning and learning. ⁣

We need legs that actually get us going to different places. ⁣

We need elbows to remind us that even when we feel pain, it’s okay to still laugh and be funny. ⁣

We need every body part. ⁣

Some body parts are strange shapes.

Some get all dolled up with makeup. ⁣

Some body parts have hundreds of different uses. Some do the same thing with consistency. ⁣

My nose would be of no use to me if it wanted to walk like my feet. I prefer my nose to be really awesome at being a nose. ⁣

“Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.” (D&C 84:110⁣)

But right before that verse, a warning. ⁣

“Let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; ⁣

“and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?” (D&C 84:109⁣)

The warning is to each of us and it is serious. ⁣

Do we, whatever part we may play, think that we have no need of someone who is different than us?⁣

That we need to make friends with people who are super similar to us? ⁣

That if everyone were a little more like us, the church would be even better?⁣

That is not true. ⁣

We need everyone. We need everyone exactly how they are right now. ⁣

Every strength. Every weakness. Every quirk. Every struggle. Every personality. Every background. ⁣

Not just to make a nice church cuz diversity is cool. ⁣

But to make a PERFECT church. ⁣

Perfect is often synonymous with “whole”, “complete”, or “mature”.⁣

We aren’t broken if we differ from “the norm”. ⁣

We are needed exactly the way that we are in order to make a small part of a complete body. ⁣

We are needed to perform a function that only we can. ⁣

We are needed to edify each other in ways we don’t even realize. ⁣

We need everyone, and our biggest downfall will be if we start thinking we don’t.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

Basically, we learn one person’s story.

And then we assume that everyone who has a similar characteristic must also have a similar life.

Our brains unfortunately do this with skin color, how people are dressed, hair styles, gender, religion…

We assume.

We assume that everyone at church is doing great, and we are the odd ones out.

We’ve learned the single story of a “perfect member” and apply it to everyone sitting around us, alienating ourselves as the “other.”

Or we assume that “less-active” people have lost their testimonies because we think we know their full story.

Learning an individual person’s single story is a great way to know THAT person.

The danger comes when we use it to make negative assumptions and unfounded judgments.

Because at church, we have such a variety!

I have learned to truly love the diversity of life experiences, personalities, gifts, interests, and education that I’m surrounded by each Sunday.

We DO have many similarities when we belong to this church.

We are asked to become one in purpose. ⁣

But that doesn’t mean for a second that we all come to the table with the same experiences. ⁣

And I love it!⁣

“We, being many, are one body in Christ… Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us”. (Romans 12:5-6)

Becoming unified as a church means recognizing the variety of talents, life experiences, stages of testimony, and education that we each have.

And we celebrate it!

And we use it to uplift each other and connect with each other! ⁣

We truly get to know people instead of assuming and judging. ⁣

Connection.

The body of Christ is all connected in one whole.

The more we can connect and share, the closer we become, unified in Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The danger of a single story first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We need hands that are virtually always doing something.

We need flashy white teeth to help eat and enjoy yummy treats.

We need super smart brains that are always planning and learning.

We need legs that actually get us going to different places.

We need elbows to remind us that even when we feel pain, it’s okay to still laugh and be funny.

We need every body part.

Some body parts are strange shapes. Some get all dolled up with makeup.

Some body parts have hundreds of different uses. Some do the same thing with consistency.

My nose would be of no use to me if it wanted to walk like my feet. I prefer my nose to be really awesome at being a nose.

“Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.” D&C 84:110

But right before that verse, a warning.

“Let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling;

“and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?” D&C 84:109

The warning is to each of us and it is serious.

Do we, whatever part we may play, think that we have no need of someone who is different than us?

That we need to make friends with people who are super similar to us?

That if everyone were a little more like us, the church would be even better?

That is not true.

We need everyone. We need everyone exactly how they are right now.

Every strength. Every weakness. Every quirk. Every struggle. Every personality. Every background.

Not just to make a nice church cuz diversity is cool.

But to make a PERFECT church.

Perfect is often synonymous with “whole”, “complete”, or “mature”.

We aren’t broken if we differ from “the norm”.

We are needed exactly the way that we are in order to make a small part of a complete body.

We are needed to perform a function that only we can.

We are needed to edify each other in ways we don’t even realize.

We need everyone, and our biggest downfall will be if we start thinking we don’t.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post We need all the body parts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I have to admit that while I feel very passionately about sharing some of my thoughts on this, I don’t want to imply that I think I’ve gotten this all figured out, or that this list is exhaustive. I welcome any additional comments and suggestions.

• Listen to others without thinking of a rebuttal. When people say they feel uncomfortable in a certain situation, avoid telling them that they are wrong because you don’t experience it, and instead just listen and empathize.

• Volunteer in spaces that make you uncomfortable, so that you can experience how others might feel “out of place” in settings where you feel comfortable.

• Expose your children to other cultures in natural and normal ways. Have toys, books, and media that show people who don’t look like your family.

• Elder Cook said: “As leaders, we are not under the illusion that in the past all relationships were perfect, all conduct was Christlike, or all decisions were just.” So we can avoid trying to justify everything in the past, instead acknowledging that it might be uncomfortable to hear.

• See other people’s various races and cultures, and celebrate or ask about them. “Unity and diversity are not opposites.” – Elder Cook.

• Remember that “Child of God” is everyone’s top identity. We promote unity by seeing others as He sees them.

• Humbly pray for help: Help to see your own harmful attitudes and actions, and help to know how to fix them.

• Invite an abundance of Christ into your life. When we expose ourselves to our Savior’s words and teachings often and sincerely, we can’t help but feel natural love for those around us – although, this may take a lifetime for the process to occur, just as ridding ourselves of any other sin.

“I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.” – President Nelson

I believe that our church can be a light on the hill for how to treat everyone with respect and love – but it will take a lot of work on all of our parts.

And the Lord loves effort. Because effort brings reward.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Jesus said, “Love everyone” first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.