There were some friends who experienced a miraculous spiritual conversion together.

Then they spent years apart on long missionary journeys.

One day, 14 years later, despite having lived in totally different areas, they randomly ran into each other and were so happy to see each other!

Actually, you may have guessed that this is exactly what happened to Alma and the sons of Mosiah.

“And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.” (Alma 17:1)

We all love a good coincidence story.

Except we know that God doesn’t do “random.”

He does “divine design.”

Although this might have seemed random to Alma…

The sons of Mosiah were actually desperate to find a home for the newly converted Anti-Nephi-Lehies that they were leading away from the rest of the Lamanites. ⁣

They needed help, and God put Alma in their path. ⁣

⁣For us, running into a friend at the store is never random. ⁣

Connecting with someone over Facebook is never random.

Moving to a new place is never random. ⁣

Each little puzzle piece is designed by God who knows everything, and also loves everyone.

He sees the big picture!

“[God] does not do things by ‘coincidence’ but instead by ‘divine design.’” – Neal A. Maxwell

What are some little miracles that God has designed to happen in your life recently?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God doesn’t do “random” first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Which is why the reunion in Alma 17 seems so sweet.

After fourteen years apart, Alma runs into Mosiah’s sons while traveling on the road.

Fourteen years ago, these boys caused chaos together, and then had a miraculous conversion together.

And then, 14 years later, they ran into each other again!

How random!

Except, we know that God doesn’t do random.

God does “divine design”.

Although this might have seemed random to Alma, the sons of Mosiah were actually desperate to find a home for the newly converted Anti-Nephi-Lehies that they were leading away from the rest of the Lamanites.

They needed help, and God put Alma in their path.

“You and I may call these intersectings ‘coincidence.’ This word is understandable for mortals to use, but coincidence is not an appropriate word to describe the workings of an omniscient God.” – Neal A. Maxwell

Running into a friend at the store is never random.

Connecting with someone over Facebook is never random.

Seeing a job opportunity, applying, and getting it is never random.

Moving to a new place is never random.

My current life has been created by thousands of little puzzle pieces, each one seeming to connect with another by sheer coincidence.

I still often refer to starting this Instagram account and website as “random” decisions I made after a prompting, but I’m working on changing that mindset.

Because each little puzzle piece is designed by a God who knows everything and who loves me. He even knows how I’m going to use my agency.

He sees the big picture, and He makes sure each little piece will build off of the previous one.

Because God doesn’t do random.

Share your favorite “no such thing as random” story below, and take some time today to reflect on the small “coincidences” that have shaped you.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God doesn’t do random first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.