A rare summer storm had moved through the area, producing more than 12,000 lightning strikes and sparking fires across the state.

Over the course of a week, one fire grew and moved until it was about 6 miles from my hometown, where my parents and countless friends and former ward members live. ⁣

While the town was still in “warning” mode, the worst news came – ANOTHER rare storm was coming that weekend. ⁣

It was going to bring strong winds that would blow right towards the town, and this storm had a 100% chance to produce countless lightning.

The situation was dire. ⁣

The warnings shifted to mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of people as the coming storm was expected to bring that fire right to town limits, and new lightning strikes would add additional chaos. ⁣

And so the stake presidency called for a day of fasting and prayer. ⁣

Word spread, and members of the town, both church members and those of other faiths, joined in special prayers that Sabbath. ⁣

They braced for the worst, but faced the future with faith. ⁣

And on Monday, the town released a statement: “The storm that was forecasted did not develop as anticipated, which is positive”.

The winds that had been forecasted and threatened the entire town, never came.

The giant forecast storm resulted in less than 400 total strikes, and no consequential fires. ⁣

By Monday evening, in a totally unexpected move, the orders were completely lifted and everyone could return back home. ⁣

It was nothing short of a miracle. ⁣

The town Facebook page lit up with testimony after testimony of people sharing their gratitude to God and their feelings of unity during the fast. ⁣

And yet, sprinkled throughout those posts were comments such as, “You really think that your prayers caused all this?”⁣

Miracles are real. They happened just as Samuel prophesied, and they happen today. ⁣

And just as in times of old, WE decide if we are going to believe.⁣

Because miracles are explained away by nonbelievers, and completely life-changing for those who do believe.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

And have you ever wondered what the difference is between fasting and not eating?

“Continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end. . . .” (Omni 1:26)

The answer to both of those questions is:

Prayer.

“Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours.” – Elder Carl B. Pratt

If you’ve ever struggled with fasting, you are not alone.

I have conversations with people about this all the time.

Going without food is tough.

But here’s what I’ve learned as I’ve studied this principle:

Fasting is meant to help us develop spiritual strength and humility.

Spiritual strength. And humility.

It’s a symbolic and literal manifestation of our desperate desire to commune with God.

It shows our seriousness in requesting specific blessings.

But blessings require some work on our part.

Fasting and prayer are two of the most humble and sincere forms of work we can do for our Father in Heaven.

My fasting experience has improved as I’ve focused on communing with God.

And I’ve learned it’s okay to feel pain. To have that headache. To realize just how fragile I am without literally a small amount of food.

It’s good for me to humble myself.

And when I couple fasting with prayer, I slowly build my spiritual strength.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Fasting and what?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy FASTING may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy JOY may be full.

“Verily, this is FASTING and prayer, or in other words, REJOICING and prayer.” D&C 59:13-14

To be honest, fasting has always been tough for me.

I’ve always obeyed and fasted on Fast Sunday, but I’ve known I’ve had a disconnect.

Here are my two takeaways that I’ve learned as I’ve tried to focus on finding the purpose and joy within fasting:

First, pray, pray, pray.

I love this pretty popular quote from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, who said:

“Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry.”

This is the first thing that has helped me find some JOY in fasting.

When I pray, specifically at the open and close of my fasting experience, I feel like my fasting has more purpose.

And my fasting has in turn elevated my prayers to feel even more genuine.

But here’s the other thing that has helped my fasting journey recently:

Really understanding that FASTING and FAST OFFERINGS have an inseparable connection.

I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t super familiar with fast offerings when I started living on my own. I feel like it’s just not something we talk about a ton.

The Church Handbook states that:

“The Lord has established the law of the fast and fast offerings to bless His people and to provide a way for them to serve those in need.

“When members fast, they are asked to give to the Church a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food they would have eaten.

“If possible, they should be generous and give more.”

Remembering that my fasting and accompanying fast offering is also a way of taking care of the poor and the needy in my immediate community, those who may be fasting breakfast out of necessity and not out of commandment, has given me huge growth in my understanding of and love for fasting.

In fact, sometimes, it brings me true joy. 

If you feel like you’ve found joy in fasting, I’d love to hear it! What has helped you rejoice?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Getting real with fasting first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It’s the word that we always find accompanying “fasting” in the scriptures.

Prayer.

When we pray in true faith, we are able to secure blessings for ourselves and for others that are conditional upon our asking.

So why would we couple this with fasting?

Fasting is a principle of the gospel that helps us develop spiritual strength.

It is literally a physical manifestation of our desperate intent to commune with the Father and request certain blessings.

It is turning our desires for a basic human need over to God.

It is feeling just a small portion of suffering that our Savior felt.

It is humbling us to realize how quickly we would crumble with no strength if it weren’t for His constant blessings and mercy.

It is unifying when done with others for the same purpose.

It is powerful. And it is real.

When we fast and gain that spiritual strength and maturity, we couple it with prayer, and the spiritual power available is mighty.

Blessings require some sort of work on our part.

And prayers and fasting are the most humble and pure forms of work that we can show.

It is not “nothing”. It is not just to feel good.

Fasting and praying bring real, true, powerful blessings.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Fasting and praying first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.