I know that I am going to feel overwhelmed by the things I want to change.

With hours and hours of messages, I always collect a lengthy list.

I’m ready to repent and become more Christlike right away in every single aspect.

But after a few days, something slowly starts to happen.

One theme will come over and over again to my mind.

One prompting will get stronger and stronger.

It’s like a sunrise.

Instead of a “lightbulb” moment where I’m hit with one big powerful change in a dramatic way…

It’s gradual.

And it gets brighter and brighter the more I focus on it.

That is one of the easiest ways I can recognize promptings from the Spirit.

A topic seems to come to my mind repeatedly.

I hear and read about it everywhere.

A little stronger each day until I’m ready to recognize the sun for what it is— a prompting.

It slowly builds until I feel like I am ready to take action! 

Although a much more somber topic, I can see that Jacob had a similar experience speaking to the Nephites.

“I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.” (Jacob 2:3)

Although Jacob had a lot of different things he wanted to say to his audience, he felt that this particular topic kept coming to his mind, getting stronger and stronger.

It weighed his mind down more and more until he just couldn’t ignore it.

What patterns have you noticed in your thoughts and impressions recently?

This gradual but persistent growth might be how the Spirit gives you promptings, too.

Growing stronger and stronger.

Until we have enough light to see the way forward.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Almost General Conference!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Why did Peter walk on water?

Why did he leave the boat?

Why did he think he could?

“We can’t know for certain, but perhaps Peter understood that the Son of God came NOT JUST TO DO wonderful things for the people but to EMPOWER people like Peter to do wonderful things too…⁣” -Come Follow Me Manual

This weekend in General Conference will be packed with goodness.

We will hear invitations.

We will probably hear stories of miracles.

We will listen to women and men who have devoted their lives to serving Jesus.

But this weekend isn’t meant for us to just listen.

We can, like Peter, turn it into an invitation to act!

To take part in the gathering of Israel.

To help those who suffer.

To wake up and do something more than dream of our mansions above.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:28-29)

Jesus doesn’t want us to just be observers and listeners in the gospel.

I mean, we do need to listen. By all means, sit on the couch and watch 10 hours of church this weekend. It’s awesome.

But then we act!

We have the faith to get up and act on what the Spirit prompts us to do!

Feel overwhelmed with a million things you want to do that all seem good?

Pray about it.

No really.

The Spirit has always helped me focus my mind to what my next step needs to be when I try to become perfect in one fell swoop.

We can go through life and be acted on.

Or we can wake up, take that frightening but exhilarating step out of the boat, and be empowered to join with Jesus in changing everything.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peter and General Conference  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Do you ever have that moment where you realize just how much you don’t know?

I once had someone start talking to me and they said, “I just heard of a school that is trying out not assigning homework. I’m interested to see what happens, cuz I’ve always thought homework is a waste of time!”

This person didn’t realize that as an educator, I had read countless studies and attended trainings about the complex topic of the pros and cons of homework.

Plus, various schools have already been trying it out for years.

But this topic was completely new for this one person.

We don’t know what we don’t know.

And I’ve felt exactly the same way when I’ve listened to a speaker, brought up a problem to someone who already has the solution, or wondered about a topic only to find out people have already come to great conclusions.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

Can you imagine how much more the Lord knows than we do?!

We’re like, “Hey, I think I’ve figured out how mercy works!” Or “Wow, I think I got a glimpse of true charity!” Or “Oh, THAT’s how you make fasting meaningful!”

And His way of thinking and understanding is so much infinitely more than what we can even realize.

But He’ll help us out and give us glimpses of His ways.

Personal revelation is huge for this.

But so are other opportunities where people have been given priesthood authority to receive revelation that will also enrich, enlighten, and educate us.

And that’s what general conference is.

A chance to hear from men and women who are speaking with priesthood authority.

People who are assigned by the prophet of God to put in the work to receive revelation for the general population of the church.

We’ve got a chance to learn what other people have learned about God’s ways.

We’ve got a chance to learn what He has already taught them about where we might be lacking in God’s ways.

It’s a time to gather, reflect, and receive directions that we may not even know we need yet.

General conference helps us learn the Lord’s ways just a little bit better.

Who is ready to go?!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post General conference and learning His ways first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Do you remember when he asked the youth in a devotional to do a 7-day social media fast? (June 2018)

Do you remember when he invited the whole church to #givethanks on social media each day for a week? (November 2020)

Do you remember when he encouraged us to end a personal conflict by Easter? (April 2022)

Well how about…

Do you remember when he pleaded with us to repent daily? (April 2019)

Do you remember when he called on us to implement extraordinary measures to strengthen our spiritual foundations? (October 2021)

Do you remember when he invited the women of the church to fully participate in Relief Society? (October 2018)

Do you remember when he encouraged us to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation? (April 2018)

Now, maybe you do remember these things, and maybe you don’t.

But if there’s ever been a recent prophet who has asked us to make dramatic or public sacrifices or commitments, it’s President Nelson!

Every talk he gives, I sit there with a pen in my hand ready to see what big challenge he’s going to give us next.

But is that excitement for the “big stuff” overpowering the less flashy pleas he’s also made?

Because looking at my list, repenting daily, increasing my capacity for personal revelation, and strengthening my spiritual foundation seem essential.

I’ve remembered some of these, but I’ve honestly forgotten about others.

“My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:13)

Are we willing to do the big things AND the small things that the prophet asks?

Would we have built the ark with Noah AND repented of our sins?

Would we have gotten in the barges with the brother of Jared AND worked to increase our faith?

Would we have crossed the plains in a covered wagon with only a few possessions AND read the scriptures daily?

Because it’s not really the prophet inviting us to do these things, right?

He’s the Lord’s mouthpiece.

Sometimes the Lord needs big, dramatic changes and miracles.

But more often, He needs the quiet, consistent, daily efforts from our heart.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post President Nelson’s invitations first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That’s how I feel after every General Conference.

I was never really into sports, but I imagine this is what it feels like after getting a big pep talk and running out onto the field.

I’m ready to go. I feel clarity on the changes I need to make.

I’m ready to refocus on my goal of God and Jesus and eternal life, and do whatever it takes to get there.

And then I run out, and the opposition starts.

The distractions are everywhere.

My poor habit routines fall back into place despite my good intentions.

There are people to deal with and work with and contention everywhere.

But that’s where the hard work happens.

It is hard sometimes.

It brings joy, but it still takes work.

So I don’t give up.

I have a rough few minutes and then I get back up, brush myself off, and try again.

Keeping the focus on the Savior.

Looking toward the real endgame. The ultimate goal.

Do I have faith that if I keep my focus on Jesus, then I will ultimately win, no matter what?

That takes a lot of faith, and trust.

And then it just takes a lot of action.

The Lord taught: “Therefore, gird up thy loins for the work.” D&C 112:7

Get ready, this is going to be a lot of work.

But it’s going to be so joyful. So rewarding.

So peaceful.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Ready to work? 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.

These phrases that sound so good at first. They make beautiful graphics. Everyone nods in agreement and writes them down.

Phrases like, or variations of, “Don’t judge.” “Love everyone.” “You are important.”

But what do these phrases actually LOOK like in day-to-day living?

I guess that’s why I made this account and started this whole journey.

I’ve always wanted to move past some of the platitudes in the scriptures and conference talks, and instead talk about what they actually look like in real, messy situations.

And that’s what made me love President Nelson’s talk.

Because he talked about “God will prevail”, which sounds really nice and important.

But he also gave tons of examples of applications. Among them:

“When your greatest desire is to let God prevail, to be part of Israel, so many decisions become easier.

“So many issues become nonissues!

“You know how best to groom yourself.

“You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate.

“You know what you want to accomplish.

“You know the kind of person you really want to become.”

Boom.

These types of statements are what give life and meaning to those “platitudes”.

If I let God prevail in my life, what do I actually want to accomplish with the time I’ve been given?

If I let God prevail in my life, what kinds of attitudes and characteristics do I want to develop, and what things should I let fall away?

If I let God prevail in my life… (insert basically any life question here!).

And suddenly, it all makes a little more sense.

I don’t think anyone (at least anyone reading this) would disagree that letting God prevail sounds like a bad idea.

But I think it is essential to take that time to ponder and think – what does letting God prevail actually look like in my career choice? In how I comfort my child? In how I use my time?

Because that is true religion – letting lofty and godly ideals shape our actions here on earth.

So how are you applying this? How are YOU choosing to let God prevail right now? Share below! 

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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The post Let God prevail first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

They were referring to political opinions, but to me, this is the perfect framework for all of life.

It reminded me of another favorite phrase: “When people know better, they do better.”

These all sound so good in theory.

But this is where the rubber meets the road in terms of religion.

Because guess what our brains really love?

Habits. Routine. Same old, same old.

Not changing.

The “natural man” within us wants us to stay the way we are.

But the natural man is an enemy to God.

And so, we try to use the information we learn in order to change.

We read scriptures, we listen to hours of General Conference, we attend church, we have conversations with loved ones, we read articles…

We learn more. We learn how to be better.

And when we gain that knowledge, we have to go through that painful but essential growth of repentance.

Every single day.

We use that knowledge to fuel change in our lives.

And that’s what enduring means. Repenting. Changing. Every day.

In that two-part process: learning more, and then changing to fit our new knowledge.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Changing until the end first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

(I believe the BYU SSA club has since changed its name.)

It was for an assignment in my multicultural education class.

The assignment? Go somewhere that put you in the minority and made you uncomfortable.

Some of my friends attended a Catholic mass, but I felt pulled to go to this club meeting for students experiencing same sex attraction while at BYU.

And boy, was I uncomfortable when I first walked in that room. I felt like I was somewhere that I didn’t belong.

But I knew that was the purpose of the assignment. I was supposed to feel out of place.

And then the meeting started. And the Spirit of God filled that room.

And I do not say that lightly.

The people in the room emanated true Christlike love.

They shared openly, honestly, and courageously about the things they had been struggling with.

They talked about their wrestles with the Lord. They talked about their wins and successes. They talked about temptations and deep, serious trials. They cried. They laughed.

And I cried and laughed along with them.

My heart was filled with pure, powerful, Christlike love for every person in that room.

I felt guilty that I had ever felt uncomfortable, but it gave me just a minuscule glimpse at what these children of God had been experiencing every single day for years.

I didn’t know how much my heart needed to be in that meeting.

That was me, unknowingly at the time and under the guise of a school assignment, doing just a small portion of the real work it takes to be a true Christian.

I went in very uncomfortable.

And I left as a friend who continued to be an ally and an advocate.

It’s been a while though since I sat in that meeting, and I think I need to be uncomfortable more often. I need to grow in my love and service, which means getting out of my stagnant comfort zone.

And this is why Elder Holland’s talk stuck with me.

I need to stop putting the ultimate prize on being comfortable, and start focusing on being uncomfortable in order to become more Christlike.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Christianity is uncomfortable first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

How would you prepare?

No traveling, no driving through the night, just staying where we are and listening.

When Christ told the Nephites that he would be returning the next day, he asked them to “prepare” their minds. (3 Nep. 17:3)

So how do we prepare ourselves for things that we know will be life-changing?

Preparing for a baptism, to receive endowments in the temple, to be sealed, to listen to a stake conference, to listen to General Conference…

What do we do beforehand?

I’ve had stakes give indexing challenges before stake conference, I attended temple prep classes prior to receiving my endowment, I re-listen to all the previous Conference’s talks prior to the upcoming one…

What I’ve discovered is that preparation usually involves some kind of sacrifice.

And when we sacrifice, we are humbled and focused.

And when we are humbled and focused, we make it very easy to feel the Spirit.

And when we feel the full presence of God’s Holy Spirit, our joy is full.

I think we saw this with April’s General Conference – we were asked to prepare by studying the First Vision and Restoration.

For those who did, it was powerful and life-changing, BECAUSE of the preparation and sacrifice that cleared the way for the Spirit’s full presence.

For those who didn’t, there were powerful moments, but the lack of sacrifice yielded a lesser reward.

So what would you do in order to prepare to listen to the Savior?

And what are you doing to prepare to listen to his apostles this weekend?

What are you giving up in order to be qualified for the Spirit to be with you?

For if we are prepared, we shall not fear.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Prepare your minds first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.