As a mom of two young kids, finding new ways to be a little more efficient is always a win in my book!

The best way to get my to-do lists complete, to keep the house orderly, to fulfill my commitments.

But one thing that I’ve noticed is there are many times in my life, including in church assignments or personal goals, where speed and efficiency are actually not the best goals to have.

I don’t think God’s purpose for my life is speed and efficiency.

In Ohio in 1831, there were a whole bunch of saints wanting to move to Missouri.

After all, Missouri had just been declared Zion, so why would they sit in Ohio and wait any longer?!

Shouldn’t they just all head out to Missouri as quickly as possible if they knew that was their endgame?

But the Lord told them in D&C 63:24:

“They should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, NOT IN HASTE, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence.”

Moving too quickly can bring confusion.

And when there is confusion, it’s a breeding ground for pestilence, or an evil influence, to spread.

Which means, the opposite must be true sometimes, too.

Slowing down can bring clarity.

I do love being quick and efficient, but there have been other times in my life where I have felt that the Lord has told me to just slow down.

To not look for the latest “hack” on my prayers, or how to fulfill my calling, or how to teach my family.

Good things take time.

The Lord knows that sometimes, moving slowly to avoid confusion is the best way to make His work move forward the fastest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Slowing down for clarity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Made the journey to Ohio, leaving their homes and livelihoods after hearing the prophet’s call.

This community was tight-knit. They were staying together.

But where would they live in Ohio? Who had room for them?

Finally… Leman Copley offers his farm.

They all can live together! It will take work to build up their community. But at least, finally, some good news.

They have a home.

And then… Leman returns. Angry. With a friend.

They are all asked to leave. Leave their new home?!

But where could they possibly go now?

Where in the Kirtland area could house all of them?

Newel pleads on behalf of his displaced congregation.

And Joseph receives the word.

“You shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri”. D&C 54:8

Missouri.

No one else had been asked to move there yet.

Joseph had never even been to Missouri.

And yet, the Colesville Saints packed up their belongings and started the trek to Missouri.

The Lord ended His revelation to his sweet children, forced to move yet again, with this loving reminder:

“Be patient in tribulation”. D&C 54:10

Tribulation is a constant.

The Colesville Saints experienced it.

But so do you. And so do I.

What’s your tribulation right now?

It probably feels lighter than the Colesville Saints burdens. But… maybe it doesn’t.

And no matter the load, we are asked to have patience.

To just wait.

To not hasten, or rush.

But to move at the pace that we can, to make the efforts we can make, and to feel patience, turning the timing over to God.

To wait in humility.

The tribulations aren’t the variable. They will come. They already have come.

And our Savior keeps promising us peace as we turn our will over to Him in patience, every single time.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Patience in tribulation first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

My daughter Quin turned 3 last year, which means she is brand new to the primary organization this year.

Starting that very first week in January, just a few months ago, Quin’s sunbeam teacher has dropped by our home every single week with an activity and a lesson completely prepped for Quin to do.

Like, stuff is cut out, glued together, extra supplies are attached in a baggie, multiple papers of coloring sheets and lessons…

Every. Single. Week.

We had so much fun doing her “primary lesson” together at home each Sunday.

And when we started up 2nd hour a couple of weeks ago here, Quin felt right at home with her teacher and has totally fallen in love with in-person primary.

This teacher has served in many notable callings in the church throughout her life.

And with her calling as a sunbeam teacher? To a group of 10 three-year-olds?

She has planted herself.

And then she has bloomed, blessing the lives of so many others, including my own and my daughter’s.

I’ve been planted in a lot of places in my life.

Different locations, wards, callings, jobs, friend groups, schools…

Sometimes it’s hard to be planted in a circumstance I don’t really love.

But I loved that the Lord told a few different Saints in Section 57 to permanently make the move from Ohio to Missouri.

And to “be planted”.

Not looking back, wondering when this was going to end. Not envious of those who got to stay behind.

But just to be planted for the sake of being planted.

I’ve resisted being planted plenty of times.

But I’ve always been surprised at how much more at peace I feel when I decide to be planted where I’m at.

To put down my roots, and see what I can do.

And Quin’s teacher has made me think about the other direction of this, too.

I don’t just plant myself for my own peace.

I also plant myself because that’s how I can best be of service to those around me.

I can look outside myself, bloom, and bless others when I choose to be planted, no matter the circumstance.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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