There he is, watching the demise of his people, and rewriting the records from hundreds of years of Nephite history. ⁣

Mormon has the gift of wisdom, and while he does a great job at narrating the events from the plates, he can’t help but interject his own lessons throughout his abridgment. ⁣

And what’s that famous phrase that signals us that Mormon is about to teach a lesson?⁣

“And thus we see…”⁣

(Sometimes, “thus we can behold…”)⁣

He switches from story-telling to spiritual commentary. ⁣

He takes a time out from telling us about who was the chief judge and who was murdered and who was baptized…⁣

And instead focuses on the lesson to learn. ⁣

“And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.” -Helaman 12:3⁣

Mormon is a great example at using BOTH storytelling and explicit teaching in order to get a point across. ⁣

I think it can be easy to think that by living a pretty righteous life, our kids will catch on. ⁣

Don’t get me wrong, setting the right example is probably the most important element in teaching the gospel to our kids.

But it’s not the only element. ⁣

We also need to explicitly teach gospel principles to our children. ⁣

In family nights, studying Come Follow Me, and other home-centered gospel learning, there are so many chances to do some straightforward teaching.

And not always in formal settings either!

Mormon beautifully weaved his “thus we see..” observations throughout his summaries. ⁣

So when my kid sees a church building out of the car window and yells, “church!”, I can take that moment to teach them about why I love church and how happy it makes me. ⁣

I can’t be afraid to teach. Or even hesitant to teach. ⁣

I HAVE to be explicit. I have to point out the spiritual lessons in real-time as much as I can. ⁣

Because we truly need both: the examples and stories, and the Godly principles being boldly proclaimed.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post And thus we see…  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Have you been in a lesson like that or heard a talk like that before?

The entire lesson was on a gospel topic that I have been lacking in.

All of the comments that people shared were new perspectives that I needed to hear.

I loved it, and I’ve already started to do better at it.

But the thing is… it wasn’t some new gospel principle.

It’s not like I’ve never known about it or that I wasn’t painfully aware that I needed to improve that area.

But the Lord is so good.

He always invites me to improve, no matter how many times I’ve ignored that invitation before.

“Return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” (Jeremiah 18:11)

Even if I’m not doing evil, I find myself not doing good quite often.

And I am so grateful for a loving God who invites me over and over to repent, to change, and to be a little bit better.

No matter where you are at, no matter how many times you’ve ignored that call, no matter how many times you’ve tried to answer but fallen short…

Jesus always invites us to return.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Return to Christ again first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve focused a lot this year on growing my testimony of this prophet. And I’ve been really impressed with how much he did for me, very personally.

On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith was killed in Carthage Jail.

And here just are a few things he accomplished in the 20 years of his ministry (D&C 135:3):

“He has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents;”

THE BOOK OF MORMON. This importance cannot be overstated.

The Book of Mormon has changed my life and kept me tied to true doctrine.

“Has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth;”

This has blown my mind. Literally within MONTHS of the Book of Mormon being published, people were sent on missions to spread the word.

No fancy training, no years of experience… getting the gospel out to the world was clearly a top priority.

“Has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men;”

The Articles of Faith, the Doctrine and Covenants, and many other revelations have laid the foundations for the modern church and restored religion that I know.

“Gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain.”

Joseph Smith did a lot.

He started with nothing.

He started with a question about the state of his soul and whether or not he was good enough.

And he prayed.

And he acted in faith.

And he received more knowledge and light, and he prayed and acted even more.

It was just step by step.

That’s what I’ve really learned from Joseph.

He accomplished inhuman tasks by taking the next step, asking the next question, and then acting with great faith.

I am grateful for Joseph Smith, the great prophet of the Restoration, for acting in faith over and over in ways that have snowballed and completely changed my life for the better.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Joseph Smith’s legacy first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.