I’ve had to ask myself that question many times.

I’ve had other people ask me this question many times.

Because it’s been grounded in the wrong places before.

It’s been grounded in that fun leader who made me enjoy going to church.

It’s been grounded in having cool callings.

It’s been grounded in girls camp.

It’s been grounded in really nice people.

It’s been grounded in having a good social life and network.

And many more places that aren’t necessarily bad places to be at all.

But those things aren’t lasting.

So I’ve had to ask myself, “What do I really believe? What is this all about?“

It’s Jesus.

It’s His words and His teachings.

It’s His commandments and His covenants.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” (Psalm 19:7)

My soul is deeply, deeply converted to Jesus’ perfect word.

His word was given in ancient Old Testament times.

His word was taught and lived as an example in New Testament times.

His word was practiced and experienced in Book of Mormon times.

His word was reiterated in modern times.

The law, the commandments, the teachings, the covenants.

They aren’t new. They are everlasting.

And they truly and completely convert my soul.

It’s all about Jesus.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Converting my soul  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The idea that He is an understanding and compassionate God…

And the idea that He is a God of order and eternal laws.

I’ve seen this tension in my life a lot.

And two pretty dramatic instances of this jumped out to me in this week’s reading.

First, we have the Lord talking about baptisms for the dead.

The saints had heard Joseph preach about this idea, and immediately went to the river to get started!

The Lord shows these two tensions of understanding but still following eternal principles here:

“I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.

“But behold, at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me”. D&C 124:31-32

Can you see both sides of God there?

An understanding of the saints condition: without a dedicated temple, and with a strong desire to perform proxy baptisms.

He didn’t tell them they weren’t allowed to do them anymore, or that none of them counted.

But then we also see the rule: the absolute minute a temple baptismal font is dedicated, they have to be done there.

Fascinating, right?!

Okay but just a few verses later, we get ANOTHER example of this tension!

In D&C 124:49, the Lord tells the saints that He is going to revoke His earlier commandment to build a temple in Far West, because wicked men had prevented it.… and then He commands them to build a temple in Nauvoo right away.

He didn’t make them stick to this previous commandment, and promise the saints that they would be protected while they went back to finish the Far West temple.

He saw that it was no longer reasonable, but then immediately commanded them to get to work on a Nauvoo temple, with no excuse for weariness or financial distress.

I see both sides in God.

I know there are eternal laws, commandments, and principles to follow.

And I know that He perfectly understands my personal situation.

But I don’t ever want to use His compassion as permissiveness.

And I sincerely pray that I will never misinterpret that balance.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God’s balance first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.