If they are even mentioned at all.

And yet when Mormon wrote out this story about Korihor’s actions, he wrote that Korihor was preaching his carnally-pleasing message, “leading away many women”… and then he added “and also men”. (Alma 30:18)

To me, this JUMPED off the pages as I read. The “men” part sounded like an afterthought. ⁣

Korihor affected women the most. ⁣

He clearly appealed to their pride. ⁣

He caused them to commit sin, thinking of no consequence. ⁣

He turned them against their religious traditions. ⁣

He made them think it was foolish to believe in something they couldn’t see.

It seems like women were extremely susceptible to Korihor’s wicked teachings. ⁣

So, how are we doing today?

Are we falling for Korihor’s sneaky deceptions?

Guess what our prophet has specifically said?

“We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms.” – President Nelson

To recognize the same exact teachings that Korihor shouted, but in our media, news, apps, entertainment, and conversations. ⁣

We’ve been asked to stand up when something that is a societal norm or even a part of “church culture” doesn’t sit right with us.

To receive personal revelation and then lead with confidence and love. ⁣

For me, this leads to some reflection.

Have I let any sins become “acceptable” in my life?

Have I become lax, or indulged in pride? ⁣

How can I better take a stand?⁣

Because we have been promised that in these final days, the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church because of the example of strong, righteous women. ⁣

We need to be seen calling out sin and standing up for what is right. ⁣

Instead of being the first to fall away into temptingly easy and pleasurable paths…⁣

We can use our influence to bring others to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Korihor convinced the women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Did anyone else notice this?

Mormon then follows that with, “and also men”. But let’s be real, when was the last time virtually anywhere, but especially the scriptures, where “women” are listed before “men”, if they are mentioned at all?!

To me, this JUMPED off the pages this read-through. The “men” part sounded like an afterthought.

Korihor affected women the most.

He appealed to their pride.

He caused them to commit sin, thinking of no consequence.

He turned them against their religious traditions.

Women were extremely susceptible to Korihor’s wicked teachings.

And now, thousands of years later, I fully believe that women are in the same, powerful position.

Women are influencers, on their families and on the world.

And we’ve been asked to step up and use our influence for good.

We’ve been asked to detect deception in all of its forms. To recognize the same exact teachings that Korihor shouted, but in our media, news, apps, entertainment, and conversations.

We’ve been asked to stand up when something that is a societal norm or even a part of “church culture” doesn’t sit right with us. To receive personal revelation and then lead with confidence and love.

For me, this leads to some reflection. Have I let any sins become “acceptable” in my life? Have I become lax, or indulged in pride?

How can I better take a stand?

Because we have been promised that in these final days, the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church because of the example of strong, righteous women.

We need to be seen calling out sin and standing up for what is right.

Instead of being the first to fall away into temptingly easy and pleasurable paths…

We can use our influence to bring others to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Leading away women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

My sisters and I all got brand new kites, and we spent the day flying them on the always-windy beaches in Northern California.

My dad would run and throw the kite up, and if it caught the wind correctly, I would have to dig my feet into the sand in order to hold the kite.

It always amazed me how tight I had to hold on to my handle.

As I would turn the handle and give the kite more string, the kite would fly higher and higher, until the string stopped.

And, as a kid, I would look up and think, “Man, this string is just holding the kite back from flying even higher.”

It seemed like that string was restrictive.

The kite could fly so much higher without me.

And so, one time, I let go.

The kite turned every possible way before nose-diving into the sand far down the beach.

It turns out, the string that I thought was so restrictive was actually the only thing helping the kite reach its highest point.

This is what the commandments look like to many people, right?

Korihor argued that the Nephites were being bound down. That they were being yoked with foolish things.

And today, people are shocked when they find out we give 10% of our income as tithes. That we abstain from alcohol. That we don’t do play dates on Sundays.

What foolish ways to bind ourselves down! Just like a silly, restrictive kite string!

And yet, I have found that while these “restrictions” look like they would hold us back, they create the perfect amount of tension to let us reach our highest potential.

They create humility, gratitude, time-management skills, abundance, faith, and patience, just to name a few.

So to me, this “restrictive” religion is actually creating the greatest freedom I can imagine!

And I’m grateful for the tension on the string, even if others view it as holding myself back.

Because I know that without it, my “freedom” wouldn’t help me get to where I really want to go.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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