They were well-meaning saints who gathered together weekly and had copies of the Book of Mormon, but Warren recognized that his congregation needed someone with some greater priesthood authority and direction to assist them in Freedom, New York.

He wrote a letter to his brother Oliver’s good friend Joseph Smith asking for him to send someone with greater priesthood authority out to visit their branch.

I imagine Warren was excited to get someone to lead them.

Wouldn’t it be so nice to have someone step up and take charge?

Someone who actually knew what they were doing?

Warren had been familiar with the church since his brother had first met up with Joseph a few years earlier.

But Warren himself had only been converted and baptized for less than a year.

Finally, Joseph wrote a letter back to Warren!

“It is my will that my servant Warren A. Cowdery should be appointed and ordained a presiding high priest over my church, in the land of Freedom and the regions round about;” D&C 106:1

Wait, what?

Doesn’t Warren’s story sound familiar?

Sometimes we see the need.

It is so glaringly obvious.

Someone needs to step up and do something about that.

And then…

We are the ones called to fill that position.

Or, we realize on our own that WE could be the one to step up and be the solution.

It’s a lot easier to notice what’s wrong and wait for someone else to solve the problems we see.

“If only someone would fix that bulletin board!”

“If only someone would help that lady!”

“If only someone would start a fun hangout group!”

“If only someone would start advocating for that cause more!”

But what if… we were the person we were waiting for?

We can see a need, and we can be the one to step up.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Warren Cowdery and the high priest first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Is there anything worse than taking a woman with plans of launching her new study guide, writing posts, getting everything organized for the week, and sticking her in a hospital room without visitors and a dying cellphone?!

Guess what I’ve had to do these past few days as I’ve dealt with the unexpected hurdles and hospital stay?

Slow down.

Say no.

Let things go.

I was touched when I read about Alma dealing with his two jobs – one as the high priest of the church, and the other as the chief judge over the land.

He said that he felt very sorrowful with everything he had to deal with.

But the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.

He knew he had to draw boundaries and set priorities with his time and mental resources.

So he gave up the judgment seat to someone who was very qualified, and he kept the role of high priest.

And guess what that meant for Alma?!

He was suddenly able to do so much MORE!

By saying no to one thing, he was able to travel the land and be the best high priest that the people needed.

What a simple but powerful lesson that I keep learning!

Sometimes, whether by choice or by emergency surgery to remove a terrible, useless organ, I get reminded that when I say no to some priorities, I’m able to actually do more.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Gallbladders and priorities first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.