I mean, it checked most of the boxes, which is pretty good for buying a new house. ⁣

But I didn’t like the location. ⁣

And “location” is supposed to be the thing you never compromise on, right?⁣

But… the spiritual prompting was too strong to deny. ⁣

I had reluctant faith. We bought the house and moved. ⁣

But deep down, I didn’t really know if God could give me something better than what I had before. ⁣

Lot’s wife is a fascinating person because we don’t learn much about her story other than her final moments and judgment. ⁣

Most people know Lot’s wife associated with: ⁣

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)⁣

We know from modern revelation and teachings that she looked back on Sodom longingly. ⁣⁣

I don’t love casting judgment on other people, especially when I don’t know their whole story at all. ⁣

But with scripture characters, I always like to ask “Lord, is it I?”⁣

“Where am I in this story? Where can I root out weakness?” ⁣

Elder Holland has also taught about Lot’s wife:⁣

“She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had.”⁣

Now THAT is something I can relate to. ⁣

Time and time again, the Lord has shown me that when I am prompted and then choose to let go of something I really like, whether it’s a neighborhood, a job, a friend, a hobby, a responsibility…⁣

He will never let me down. He will always lead me to something better. ⁣

Do I have the faith to let go and look forward?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Location location location  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Ammon fell in favor with the local ruler and ended up converting many to the gospel. ⁣

Aaron went from city to city finding only opposition and was eventually thrown in prison and deprived of food and clothing. ⁣

Why the difference?

Was Ammon more faithful or more deserving of a successful mission?⁣

“As it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people.” (Alma 20:30)

It was just the different lots they had been given!

I think about the endless varieties of “lots” that each of us is dealt in this mortal life. ⁣

There are “lots” that I envy.

There are “lots” that I pity.

There are moments of extreme gratitude for my “lot.”

There are moments of disappointment for my “lot.”

But the “lots” that we have been given are not always a reflection of our faithfulness, righteousness, or knowledge.

The Lord knows what each of us is capable of doing and becoming.

The Lord knew Ammon could handle his “lot.”

He knew Aaron could handle his “lot.”

He knows that you and I can handle whatever “lots” we’ve been given in this life.

And no matter the “lot”, He wants us to turn to Him and invite Him to comfort, love, teach, and direct in exactly the way we need it.

“God’s love is not found in the circumstances of our lives but in His presence in our lives.” – Susan H. Porter

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Ammon vs. Aaron  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I mean, it checked most of the boxes, which is pretty good for buying a new house.

But I didn’t like the location.

And “location” is supposed to be the thing you never compromise on, right?

But… the spiritual prompting was too strong to deny.

I had reluctant faith. We bought the house and moved.

But deep down, I didn’t really know if God could give me something better than what I had before.

Lot’s wife is a fascinating person because we don’t learn much about her story other than her final moments and judgment.

Most people know Lot’s wife associated with:

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:36)

We know from modern revelation and teachings that she looked back on Sodom longingly.

I don’t love casting judgment on other people, especially when I don’t know their whole story at all.

But with scripture characters, I always like to ask “Lord, is it I?”

“Where am I in this story? Where can I root out weakness?”

Elder Holland has also taught about Lot’s wife:

“She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had.”

Now THAT is something I can relate to.

Time and time again, the Lord has shown me that when I am prompted and then choose to let go of something I really like, whether it’s a neighborhood, a job, a friend, a hobby, a responsibility…

He will never let me down. He will always lead me to something better.

Do I have the faith to let go and look forward?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Lot’s wife and trusting something better first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Someone gave me a small bag of trail mix recently, and I picked through to find the M&Ms and ate those instead.

Because, chocolate.

My husband took the bag from me to pick out his favorites, and I saw a couple M&Ms that I had missed at the bottom.

“Wait!” I said, and quickly found the pieces I had missed, doing a final sweep for any other chocolate that was hiding.

I didn’t want to give my trail mix away while leaving any valuable pieces of chocolate behind!

God told Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed.

Abraham, with his kind and compassionate heart, pleaded for the Lord to not destroy them if 50 righteous people were found.

Abraham continued to try and prove how much a righteous soul would be worth to the Lord until he stopped at:

“Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” (Genesis 18:32)

One righteous person can make a huge difference within a home, a school, or a community.

Every effort that you make to turn to the Lord and show love, despite what may or may not be happening around you, matters.

One little light.

Even if you feel like you are the only M&M in the bag, the Lord sees you.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The M&Ms worth saving first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Keeping the peace” is associated with someone who just wants there to be external peace.

I can think of many times in my life where there’s been an issue with someone else, but I’ve resorted to just keeping the peace.

I’m still upset or sad or frustrated, but I make everything seem fine and say the right words to keep people happy.

But being a “peacemaker” is associated with someone who wants to help find internal peace for everyone.

(Which, side note, often ends up in external peace, too, but might take a bit longer to get there.)

As I’ve matured emotionally and spiritually, I’ve learned that sacrificing my own inner peace to keep situations “happy” is NOT the answer.

Having sometimes uncomfortable conversations about what is wrong, in calm and level-headed ways, inviting the Spirit, is the real way to bring inner peace.

Abraham and Lot were having some land issues.

There just straight up wasn’t enough room for both of them anymore.

No one was being evil, this was no one’s fault. Life is just messy sometimes.

Abraham DIDN’T tell his herdsmen to just deal with it and be nice. He didn’t pretend like nothing was wrong.

He had the conversation with his nephew Lot. Maybe it was awkward at first. Maybe Abraham was dreading the conversation.

But he led with love, with peace, AND with straightforwardness.

“Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” (Genesis 13:8)

He also came with a solution ready to go, one that would require action on both of their parts. They would both move to different lands of their choosing.

And it worked!

Abraham sought true inner peace for both himself and his nephew who he cared about. He was kind and Christlike. He had an idea for a solution. And Abraham was blessed greatly.

“I ask us to be peacemakers—to love peace, to seek peace, to create peace, to cherish peace.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Being a peacemaker first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.