“I just can’t stay focused while I’m reading! My mind goes everywhere!”⁣

First, I get it. I know that when my mind wanders to the grocery list or the laundry pile, I need to refocus.

I’ve got lots of tips I’ve shared about reading comprehension tips like taking notes, giving a purpose to scripture study, and being in a good physical environment. ⁣

But also…⁣

Letting your mind wander more might be exactly what you need to make your scripture study better. ⁣

Joseph F. Smith let his mind wander. ⁣

He was reading the scriptures. ⁣

And then he got caught up in thinking about how good God is. ⁣

And then he started thinking about some other scriptures and decided to turn there and read them. ⁣

And then he let his mind wander more on that topic. ⁣

And THEN he received one of the greatest revelations of the 20th century. ⁣

For me, my best scripture study looks like me reading the scriptures only about 50% of the time. ⁣

The other time is a mix of writing notes…⁣

And a mix of me just staring and thinking. ⁣

I intentionally let my mind wander when it wants to (as long as we are at least staying somewhat gospel-related or uplifting).⁣

I’m thinking about that Sunday School lesson where the teacher told us that story about this principle here in the scripture. ⁣

Or I’m pretending I’m teaching a class about this scripture and I’m just getting on my soap box in my head and talking about it. ⁣

Or I’m thinking about other scriptures or scripture stories this reminds me of.⁣

Or I’m wondering what that sentence really means and just letting my mind play around with some options. ⁣

Or I’m thinking about my friend, and realizing that this scripture gives me a bit of clarity on how to help her out more. ⁣

Obviously, off-topic ungrounded mind wandering isn’t usually super helpful, and there are tools to assist.

But forcing our minds to only stay focused on only reading might be keeping us from the wandering and the pondering that could lead to marvelous revelation!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Let your mind wander first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Joseph F. Smith actually saw this righteous assembly in a vision.

Who did he literally see there, being taught by the Savior?

President Smith mentions our Father Adam first. And then…

“Our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.” D&C 138:39

Our Mother Eve and her faithful daughters from throughout the ages.

Mostly nameless.

Not recognizable to a current prophet looking in.

We don’t know most of their stories.

Not often recorded in the scriptures.

That’s the fate that women have faced for centuries.

But we can’t deny that faithful and righteous women are represented in heaven, right alongside Isaiah and Malachi and Noah.

“These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,

“And continue thenceforth their labor as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him.” D&C 138:51-52

Our names don’t have to be known in order to receive immortality and eternal life.

Our stories don’t have to be told in order to receive all the blessings held in store for those who love the Lord.

Life on earth is messy.

(Although I can’t deny how grateful I am to be a woman alive at a time when I feel blessed with so many more opportunities than previous generations.)

But heaven?

It’s filled with women and men assembled together, side by side, with their focuses on the Savior.

Artwork: “Faithful Women” by Amber Eldredge

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Women in heaven first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

One of the most common “confessions” I hear from people goes something like this:

“I just can’t stay focused while I’m reading! My mind goes everywhere!”

First, I totally understand what you are saying, and if you think my mind never wanders to my grocery list or laundry pile, you would be completely incorrect.

I’ve got lots of tips I’ve shared about reading comprehension tips like taking notes, giving a purpose to scripture study, and being in a good physical environment.

But also…

Letting your mind wander more might be exactly what you need to make your scripture study better.

Joseph F. Smith let his mind wander.

He was reading the scriptures.

And then he got caught up in thinking about how good God is.

And then he started thinking about some other scriptures and decided to turn there and read them.

And then he let his mind wander more on that topic.

And THEN he received one of the greatest revelations of the 20th century.

For me, my scripture study looks like me reading the scriptures only about 50% of the time.

The other time is a mix of writing notes…

And a mix of me just staring and thinking.

I intentionally let my mind wander when it wants to (as long as we are at least staying somewhat gospel-related or uplifting).

I’m thinking about that Sunday School lesson where the teacher told us that story about this principle here in the scripture.

Or I’m pretending I’m teaching a class about this scripture and I’m just getting on my soap box in my head and talking about it.

Or I’m thinking about other scriptures or scripture stories this reminds me of.

Or I’m wondering what that sentence really means and just letting my mind play around with some options.

Or I’m thinking about my friend, and realizing that this scripture gives me a bit of clarity on how to help her out more.

Obviously, off-topic mind wandering isn’t usually super helpful, and there are tools to help there.

But forcing our minds to only stay focused on only reading might be keeping us from the wandering and the pondering that could lead to marvelous revelation!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post In praise of mind wandering! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.