No way. Of the devil. Not allowed.

There were some church leaders who gave this advice to avoid R-rated movies, and it kind of grew into a cultural fact.

But within the past decade or so, Church leaders have really moved away from calling out specific movie ratings.

The “For the Strength of the Youth” pamphlet currently says: “Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way.”

Not a single sentence about the rating of a movie.

In fact, the church as a whole has started moving away from strict structure.

Eliminating an hour of church, getting rid of Personal Progress, eliminating home and visiting teaching…

Less rules and checkboxes from the church.

This is what my mind was immediately drawn to when Christ appeared to the Nephites.

He is telling the Nephites that the strict, prescriptive Law of Moses is gone.

But here’s the important shift –

In place of these lower, specific commands and counsel, we are instead given a higher law to self-administer.

Instead of not killing, we shouldn’t even be angry.

Instead of not commuting adultry, we shouldn’t even lust in our minds.

Instead of loving your neighbor, love your enemy too.

And that’s what we’ve seen as a religious people in recent years.

Instead of sitting and passively listening to a lesson for an hour, make your own plan and teach your family.

Instead of visiting your assigned sister every month, figure out what she actually needs and do it.

Instead of just avoiding R-rated movies, figure out how to avoid the evil influences of Satan in any way possible.

Restrictions being taken away isn’t a free pass – it’s a call to a higher way to live.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A higher and holier way first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I love getting these questions, and I have practical advice and tips to share.

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

“I would be so much more righteous if I could actually read my scriptures every day. God is probably disappointed that I can’t even get this right.”

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.

So I want you to think for a second:

WHY do YOU study the scriptures?

What’s your reason?

If it’s to fulfill your “righteousness checklist” for the day, then it might be helpful to look at the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ example.

They kept the Law of Moses with exactness after their conversion. But…

“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

THAT is why we are asked to read and pray every day.

Not because they will complete the checklist and get us into heaven.

But because those actions strengthen our faith in the Savior.

Those actions help us become more Christlike.

And that’s what God IS looking for.

People who try. People who are kind and caring. People who serve. People who have the desire to be a little bit better.

And our daily scripture study and prayers are powerful tools to help us make that mighty transformation.

So if you are caught up in the guilt of the checklist, try instead asking yourself, “What can I do today in order to become more Christlike?”

And I think you might more willingly place studying and praying at the top of your activity list.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Where does salvation come from? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.