While I don’t have any insider information for what it is like to be one, I think it’s tempting to think that once a prophet becomes a prophet, they instantly get some direct pipeline to receive messages from God.

But I think it still takes a lot of personal spiritual work to receive revelation, whether it’s for ourselves or whether it’s for a prophet.

And I’ve heard President Nelson speak about some of the times he has chosen to turn the TV off because it drove the spirit away, or how much he reads the scriptures and listens to promptings to make himself available to revelation.

His process probably looks a lot more familiar than we might realize.

One message that he taught about repeatedly last weekend was centered around this idea:

“Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.” – President Nelson

Every topic that President Nelson talks about is tied back to Jesus.

Every time.

Our prophet keeps teaching us about Jesus, how to draw on Jesus’ power, His strength, rest, love, the divinity of the Son…

Another prophet a few thousand years ago talked about this same solemn responsibility that prophets share.

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls… ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence”. (Isaiah 62:6)

The watchmen are not supposed to keep silent about Jesus.

And from what I’ve observed, our current prophet is doing a magnificent job at keeping me focused on the Savior.

I know prophets must feel that weight of that responsibility.

Hoping that as many people that can hear their voice will know He lives, too.

So what has the prophet taught you about Jesus?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Not silent about Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Because every single time I do sit down to glance through it or I make time to read an article, I am always blown away by the content.

So when October’s magazine came in the mail, I found some time to flip through and I told myself I could pick one article to read.

Lo and behold, the first main article was one written by our beloved prophet, so of course I chose to read that one.

Now, throughout the Old Testament, but most especially in Isaiah, we see the strangely long word: LOVINGKINDNESS.

And this word is what President Nelson talked about for part of his powerful, super detail-oriented Liahona article.

Here are just a few snippets of what he said:

“All those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy.

“In the Hebrew language, that covenantal love is called hesed.

“Hesed has no adequate English equivalent.

“Translators of the King James Version of the Bible must have struggled with how to render hesed in English.

“They often chose ‘lovingkindness.’

“Hesed is a unique term describing a covenant relationship in which both parties are bound to be loyal and faithful to each other.

“Hesed is a special kind of love and mercy that God feels for and extends to those who have made a covenant with Him.

“And we reciprocate with hesed for Him.”

In Isaiah 63:7, we read: “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.”

LOVINGKINDNESS is much more than kindness and love.

God wants to share this special kind of love and devotion with us, much like the unique love that we share with a spouse.

And to access that lovingkindness, we enter into special covenents with God.

So what are the covenants you have made with God?

And what’s something you can do today to live up to what you’ve promised just a little bit better today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

Purple play-doh plates, yellow balls of play-doh food, and giant globs of play-doh apple juice that my son insisted everyone sip.

They love play-doh.

Probably because it can become any kind of toy that they want it to be.

Play-doh does whatever my kids want it to do.

“We are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Did anyone else catch the big theme of having WILLING hearts this past weekend in general conference?!

One of the scariest moments of my life was when I felt a strong prompting, confirmed in the temple, and confirmed over and over in other small ways, to quit my job.

I told Heavenly Father how much I loved my job.

But I also started to feel this willingness to do as He invited.

Slowly, I stopped telling Him how much I loved my job and instead told Him I would do what He would ask me to do to become the person only He knew I could be.

It was still scary to quit my job.

But I was willing to do it.

It was one of the biggest times I’ve felt that molding happen all at once in a dramatic way, but I actually know that my life has been filled with tiny, quieter little pinches, pulls, and folds along the way.

God isn’t looking for perfectly shaped masterpieces.

He just wants us to be clay instead of stone, and He’ll take care of the rest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Clay in the potter’s hand first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve said silent prayers like this many times.

When a friend brings up a difficult gospel topic, when I’m comforting someone in need, or when I’m teaching a Sunday School lesson…

I’ve sent that super prayer upward, pleading for words to come to my mind that would help me to navigate the situation.

The words don’t always appear instantly.

In fact I’ve noticed that sometimes I have to stumble through a lot of wrong words before I start to find my pathway forward with words that fit better.

But when I have a good, Christlike need for communicating, I have found that the support comes in one way or another.

The Savior mentioned that this is actually part of the covenant that He makes with those who turn away from sin.

“My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed”. (Isaiah 59:21)

When we covenant to take Jesus’ name upon us and always remember Him, He in turn promises that we can always have His Spirit to be with us.

And when we have the Spirit with us, we can be blessed to know what words to say at the right time.

Not a witty remark or a good comeback or anything else that might be self-serving.

But when we are in the position to bring people closer to the Savior or to strengthen our own testimony, the words associated with the gospel of Jesus Christ can be found within our mouths.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Righteous words 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.

I’ve done it three times now, and each time, as that due date approaches, the intensity starts to build.

I’m so excited to bring a new baby into the world.

But I know that I have to experience a lot of physical pain, uncertainty, potential complications, and sleeplessness in order to get to the other side.

It’s excitement, it’s anxiety, it’s trying to be peaceful and hoping everything will go smoothly.

And then, after the journey, the new baby is laid on your chest.

What a feeling.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:” (Isaiah 53:4)

I’ve carried and birthed sweet little babies.

And Isaiah teaches us that our Savior has carried and borne every sorrow, trial, and tragedy we’ve experienced.

He’s struggled and become fatigued with what we currently have to endure.

Which in turn, I believe, gives Him a special kind of love toward us.

“No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.” – Elder Holland

I love this motherly imagery because I am a mother, and the relationship between brutal physical sacrifice and devoted love is one that I’ve experienced firsthand.

But I also know that you don’t have to be a mom to know this.

The Savior loved us and was willing to endure real actual physical pain to then love us even more wholly.

Which means that maybe, just maybe, when we willingly sacrifice on a much smaller scale on His behalf, we grow a special kind of love for Him, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Borne and carried first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We’ve had many friends in our ward turn 8 and choose to be baptized, and it’s been so fun to attend and celebrate each one.

I’ve noticed some patterns though.

First of all, grandparents give the sweetest baptism and Holy Ghost-themed talks, and it’s so fun to see how each person puts their own spin on it.

But secondly, I’ve remembered how simple the baptism ordinance is.

It’s over in literally just a few seconds.

This powerful, soul-saving essential ordinance accompanied by everlasting covenants is so…

Simple.

Pure.

Un-complicated.

It’s little 8 year olds who love Jesus, want to follow Him, and choose to keep a commandment.

It’s so simply beautiful.

“Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” (Isaiah 52:11)

When these young children take upon themselves the name of Jesus and receive the Holy Ghost, they are bearing the vessels of the Lord.

These girls and boys have access to the priesthood power of the Almighty God as they keep their covenants.

Life is going to get a whole lot more complicated for these 8 year olds as they navigate what it’s really like to be Christlike in a world filled with fallen mortals and temptations everywhere.

But the premise is still pretty simple.

Whether it’s our initial baptism, or whether it’s the weekly renewal in another simple ordinance, we are invited to be clean so that we can access our priesthood power and bear His holy name.

Scrub off that sin, that tarnish, that anger, that hard heart, and just be clean.

And when that cleanliness doesn’t stay too long, we can try it again next week. 

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It’s simple to be clean first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

What area of your life seems totally crazy and overwhelming right now?

Maybe housework, your calling, school work, teaching loved ones, scripture study, keeping up with schedules, work…

And then what is one area of your life that seems really empty right now?

Maybe spiritual nourishment, physical excercise, gratitude, family time, organization, social life…

It’s these two opposite extremes that are pretty prevalent in mortality for everyone.

We’ve all got areas that are like a crazy wilderness, and other areas that are like a dry desert.

I love that the Lord promises us that He will help us in BOTH of these areas:

“For the Lord shall comfort Zion… he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein”. (Isaiah 51:3)

We can turn our hearts and our desires over to Jesus.

And then He can help us find the beauty within the overwhelming wildernesses we have to face.

He turns that overwhelming, exhausting overgrowth into an Eden, with purpose and love in every flower and vine.

He’s helped me find purpose in finishing that last load of laundry, or find fulfillment in saying “no” to that extra commitment.

And He can help us build up a flourishing garden in places where there were deserts.

He gives some of His everlasting water to the dry ground to bring new energy and life.

He’s helped me to see clear paths forward for how to study general conference talks more often, or given me promptings on how to find new activities to start.

So what’s your wilderness right now?

Where is your desert?

How has the Lord helped you in the past to turn both of them into beautiful gardens, and how might He be able to help you right now?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Wildernesses and deserts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’m probably not alone in saying that the past few years have really made me be intentional about WHY I go to church.

If we can just have church at home…

If I can just read my scriptures and follow along at home…

If I can just share my testimony on social media…

If I don’t have to hear comments from people that aren’t super Christlike…

And then add in having to take care of little kids and babies who make it difficult to even be present in the rooms I should be in…

Why am I going to church?

I can’t overstate enough that the actual main reason is because of my devotion and love to God to keep His commandments and my desire to take the sacrament and be washed clean and renew my covenants.

But after all that…

My congregations throughout the years have brought me the sweetest examples of service and cheering others on.

When I’ve been in a rough place and a good friend pulls me aside and asks me how I’m doing.

When I’ve been emotional and someone just looks at me and smiles.

When I’ve laughed til I’ve cried at funny things kids have said.

When I’ve walked out of sacrament meeting (yet again) with a screaming baby, just to be met by 3 different people who all walked out to give me a break.

When someone has said hi when I’ve felt forgotten.

It’s all service.

It’s all love.

It’s all compassion.

It’s all Christlike.

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.” (Isaiah 41:6)

We all need some help.

We all need someone to remind us to be of good courage.

We all need some help to point us back to Christ.

And I think we all have buried within us an innate desire to give that help.

To be that good neighbor.

To give that little smile.

To point someone else toward Jesus.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Service and Christlike love first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

As I’m sure most others do.

He was the guy who was foreordained to prepare the path for Christ, preaching fearlessly and using his priesthood power to baptize.

John the Baptist was amazing.

In Isaiah 40:3, we read this prophecy:

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord”.

But… what if we turned that prophecy around and looked at ourselves for a bit?

How do you and I prepare the way for Jesus right now?

We absolutely are working together to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of the Savior, gathering Israel and getting ready for Christ’s return.

But what about on a smaller, more personal level?

I’ve been thinking recently that I want to prepare the way for Jesus to come into the hearts of everyone that I meet.

It’s a lofty goal.

But I want to prepare the way for Jesus to get to other people.

I want every interaction that I have to leave everyone feeling so seen, loved, and noticed, that the Spirit has a place to enter into their hearts and testify of a truth that they need.

And no matter their religious affiliation, I think everyone needs a little message from Jesus in their heart.

Whether they are old or young.

Whether they are a member of my family or not.

Everyone needs a little more of the Spirit of God in their hearts, delivering any message that they need to hear in that moment.

I want to prepare the way for Jesus to come anywhere that I go.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Preparing for Jesus  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.