It’s a question that I have been asked variations of over and over again.

And I have some great suggestions to share that I’ve learned on my own.

⁣But in many of the messages, I actually hear my own concerns from a few years ago echoing in their words:⁣

“I just can’t seem to do consistent scripture study, and this means I am failing.”

In our church, reading the scriptures and praying every day are preached so often, that sometimes we mistakenly start to think that salvation comes through their repetition. ⁣

It’s like reading our scriptures becomes the goal.

We will make it if we can just read our scriptures every day!

But I want to look at what the Anti-Nephi Lehies had so wisely figured out:

“They did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ.” (Alma 25:16)

Keeping the commandments and reading our scriptures every day are not part of the checklist we need to complete in order to earn salvation and get into heaven.

We keep the commandments and read our scriptures BECAUSE these actions strengthen our faith in the Savior.

Salvation comes only in and through Jesus Christ.

And everything He asks us to do is to point us to Jesus even more.

That is what God really wants us to do.

The goal isn’t to study our scriptures every day; the goal is to be totally focused on Jesus Christ as the center of our salvation, and scripture study is one of the easiest ways to focus us.

Don’t misinterpret here— I’m not saying “the law” or scripture study isn’t important.

I quite literally think effective scripture study can change lives, and it’s a worthy habit to develop.

But consistent scripture study isn’t the endgame.

Feasting on the scriptures daily is important BECAUSE it so naturally points us toward Jesus Christ.

Salvation doesn’t come by keeping the “law,” but the “law” helps us to become more Christlike if we keep willing and sincere hearts.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Failing at scripture study first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had to memorize the names of the notes.

Then I had to practice the same tricky measure over and over.

And then I had to put in nuanced effort to make my pieces sound beautiful and expressive.

But let’s be honest…

Many people start piano lessons and then stop at some point!

Besides just not enjoying it, I think it’s pretty difficult to want to continue with lots of practice when we can’t see immediate results.

Why does it really matter if I practice the piano for 20 minutes today when it doesn’t seem like it’s really going to change anything?!

I’ve noticed the same lessons in my spiritual growth.

Does it REALLY matter if I pray every day?

Fulfill every calling I’m given to the best of my ability?

Study my scriptures every day?

It might not look like it makes a difference every single day.

In fact, maybe it won’t make a big difference either way today.

But we know that “. . . by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Nephi 16:29)

When we look at the comparison, things seem a little more clear:

Where would practicing the piano every day for 10 years get me?

And where would practicing the piano on-and-off for 10 years get me?

The end results are dramatically different, even if it’s hard to see the difference in the short term.

The “spiritual stuff” seems the same.

Listening to one conference talk today might not change my life.

But listening to a conference talk (almost) every day for 5 years?!

A small little decision that could end up affecting me in dramatic ways.

“When we exercise faith in Him and follow His counsel in small and simple things,… He blesses us with small daily miracles, and over time, with marvelous works.” —Steven C. Wheelwright

I want to immerse myself in good, spiritually uplifting things as much as possible every single day.

And trust that all those small decisions can add up to great things in my future!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Practicing daily first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.