I hear people saying something similar to this whenever we read the scriptures on a specific study schedule.

(Looking at you, Come Follow Me…)

Here’s my favorite advice I always share with people who are concerned:

Stop trying to catch up and just join us where we are!

My reasoning?

The gospel is so repetitive.

You will NOT miss some big essential gospel truth you would never have learned about if you didn’t read one particular chapter.

If you missed the scriptures talking about personal revelation and asking questions last week, you will most certainly hear about it again soon.

I think about Joseph experiencing the Angel Moroni coming to his room three times in one night and telling him the same words, and then appearing to him the next day to remind him to tell his father.

“. . . He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father.”(JSH 1:49)

I imagine Joseph then going to the Hill Cumorah, only to be told that he can’t take the plates yet but needs to return the next year.

And then the next.

And then the next.

This gospel is so repetitive in the best way possible!

We can learn about charity and service as a little kid…

And then the principle can take on new meaning as we learn a lesson on charity in a Young Women class…

And then after a loved one passes away, a scripture about charity takes our understanding to an even deeper level.

“Repetition is a law of learning”. – President Gordon B. Hinckley

Just be in the scriptures each day, and the Lord will take care of the rest!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post  I’ve fallen behind! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That’s how I feel every time I get to this final verse in the Book of Mormon!

Sweet Moroni signs off with an emotional:

“And now I bid unto all, farewell.” (Moroni 10:34)

What lessons have you learned from the Book of Mormon over the past 365 days?

Maybe you learned that very real and imperfect people can make miracles happen when they work with Jesus.

Maybe you were reminded that the blessings for believing in Christ aren’t always temporal blessings.

Maybe you were taught that pride is the biggest trap because it is so easy to justify.

Maybe you gained a testimony that God answers prayers. ⁣

And maybe you’ve learned more about who Jesus Christ is and what He does.

This book has been life-changing for me personally, and is consistent as the foundation of my testimony of Jesus Christ.

It’s a useful, practical, heartbreaking, inspirational, and powerful book.

As we finish up this final verse, I invite you to think about what lessons the Book of Mormon has taught you.

What is your big takeaway from the greatest book ever written?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The final verse first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Man, that Moroni is the worst writer ever.”⁣

Right?!⁣

Like, it’s almost laughable. ⁣

But clearly, to Moroni, this was a serious issue. ⁣

He believed that he wasn’t great at writing.

He believed that this was a big weakness of his.

“When we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.” (Ether 12:25)⁣

He didn’t want to be mocked or compared. ⁣

Now THERE’S a feeling I think we all can relate to. ⁣

We see a little kid, afraid to perform at a piano recital…

And we tell them that it’s totally fine if they make mistakes because everyone is proud of them just for getting up to perform. ⁣

But we ourselves are paralyzed by a fear of messing up. ⁣

We go to someone else’s house and tell them not to worry about it no matter how many times they apologize for “the mess”.⁣

And yet we don’t want anyone to see our house unless we clean. ⁣

We encourage our friends to accept a new calling, telling them that this will be a new opportunity to grow and expand their talents. ⁣

And we think the Bishop’s got it all wrong when we hear of our new assignment. ⁣

(There are so many more examples like this…)

We feel such loving compassion for Moroni talking about his weaknesses. ⁣

And yet we sometimes spare ourselves that same loving compassion. ⁣

So let’s try to be more compassionate, forgiving, and patient with our own weaknesses this week. ⁣

To look on our shortcomings the same way a tender, loving parent would. ⁣

The way a loyal friend would. ⁣

The way our perfect, divine, Heavenly Parents do.

Weaknesses are an opportunity for growth and a new chance for us to turn to the Lord and experience a miracle.

“Many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.” -Elder Uchtdorf

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post “He’s the worst writer”  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I always cringe a bit when reading Moroni’s epistle to the chief judge Pahoran in Alma 60.

Moroni is getting angry and assuming a whole lot of things very incorrectly. Awkward.

But this time, verse 33 in Alma 60 made me do a double take. ⁣

Moroni tells Pahoran that the Lord told Moroni to go to battle against the Pahoran if he didn’t repent of his sins and iniquities.

What?!

Pahoran actually wasn’t committing sins and iniquities, and this was all a misunderstanding on Moroni’s part.

Moroni was receiving revelation to battle Pahoran even when he wasn’t actually doing anything wrong?

Why would the Lord prompt Moroni with incorrect information?⁣

And then I got to Pahoran’s response in Alma 61. ⁣

“I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do [about these rebels taking over the government and pushing Pahoran out], whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren. ⁣

“But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.”⁣ (Alma 61:19-20)

And then Pahoran calls for Moroni to join him and bring troops for a battle against the rebels in the capital. ⁣

Pahoran had been praying to know whether or not he should go to battle against his own people. ⁣

He had been kicked off the judgment seat, but he wasn’t sure what to do next. ⁣

And Moroni’s inspiration that Moroni totally thought was about going to battle against Pahoran, was actually God’s way of answering Pahoran’s prayers – by telling him that they should go to battle against the people who had kicked him out. ⁣

So this whole misunderstood letter from Moroni? The false accusations and warnings and calls to repentance?⁣

They were all really just a messy vessel for God to answer Pahoran’s prayer. ⁣

And AMAZING and HUMBLE Pahoran was able to overlook the misunderstandings and offensive phrases in Moroni’s letter in order to find the truth within it. ⁣

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just a cliche: God really does only have imperfect people to work with. ⁣

And sometimes we have to just ignore and forgive the messy parts in order to find the gold we need in each other.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Was the Lord wrong?! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve had this overwhelming emotion in my life plenty of times – where there are so many people that I know who are in need of help or love, but there’s no way that I can reasonably help everyone.

And yet, my heart shows me the way.

I truly believe that our natural desires and intuitions are often Heavenly Father’s way of showing us our personal path.

I usually feel drawn to just a couple people who I know that I can help.

My heart is turned toward them.

I feel that godly love for them, I feel compelled to action, and I know my energy is being spent in the right way.

Family history work is not a topic that I am amazing at. At all.

But I want my heart to be turned to my predecessors.

I want to feel that pull, to love them, to be compelled to action on their behalf…

Why?

Because I think it’s a beautiful concept.

Starting from Father Adam and Mother Eve, God has done nothing but pour out blessings and covenants upon those who remember Him.

And yet, I feel that the adversary tries to convince me that I am completely isolated in my faith journey – I can only look at what has happened to me and what miracles I’ve seen as evidence.

But when my heart is turned to my mothers and fathers, from immediate to distant relatives, I remember that I’m not alone.

Just as I hope my children can rely on the strength of their family members, and so on.

We have help. We have people, both on this earth and on the other side, cheering us on.

And when we allow our hearts to be turned, filled with love and action, we can feel that tender reminder that we are not alone.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Where is my heart turned? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“I’ve totally fallen behind on the assigned readings! I feel so overwhelmed/inadequate/frustrated!”

Sound familiar to anyone out there?!

You are NOT alone if you have ever fallen behind – whether it’s one week or many months.

Like… not alone at all!

But here’s my favorite advice that I always share to those who fall behind that you may or may not agree with:

Stop trying to catch up, and just join us where we are!

My reasoning?

The gospel is so repetitive.

You are NOT going to miss some big essential gospel truth that you never would have learned about if you didn’t read one particular chapter!

If you missed us talking about personal revelation and asking questions last week, you will most certainly hear about it again pretty soon.

I think about Joseph experiencing the Angel Moroni coming to his room 3 times in one night and telling him the same words.

And then appearing to him the next day to remind him to tell his father.

And then Joseph going to Hill Cumorah, only to be told that he can’t take the plates yet, but needs to return the next year. And then the next. And then the next.

This gospel is so repetitive in the best way possible!

We can learn about charity and service as a little kid.

And then it can take on new meaning as we learn a lesson on charity in Young Women’s.

And then after a loved one passes away, those charity lessons become even sweeter.

Repetition is the way we learn.

Secular lessons. Spiritual lessons. Life lessons.

So I’m working on feeling more gratitude for repetition.

Instead of, “Well, another lesson about Sabbath day observance.”

I’m trying, “Sweet. I’m so grateful I get to learn this at a deeper understanding than I ever have before!”

The gospel is repetitive. Thank goodness.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Over and over again first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Does that phrase (or a variation of it) find a place in your prayers right now?

The past year or so, I’ve really been focused on removing this in my prayers.

I’ve been trying to avoid casual asks for forgiveness from sweeping generalizations of “weaknesses” and “sins”.

I was really struck by the in-depth sincerity with which young Joseph prayed to a loving Heavenly Father in his bedroom.

“I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies.” (JSH 1:29)

He was in his bedroom, weighed down by the sins he was committing, and asking for forgiveness.

Pleading. Calling.

Thinking through each sin.

I personally have found exponentially more power and access to my Savior’s atoning sacrifice when I take time to be specific and to reflect.

Instead of, “Please forgive me for losing patience with my kids today.”

My prayers have transformed as I’ve transitioned to:

“I am so sorry that I lost my patience earlier today. I knew that my daughter was in a stressful situation and I was putting my needs before hers. Please forgive me for this shortcoming, and help me to improve my patience and love for her. In fact, I think that next time this situation happens again, I can try…”

So much more useful, right?!

I find myself starting a real conversation. I find myself listening to promptings. I find myself pleading for true forgiveness instead of just saying it.

And ultimately, I’ve found myself changing much more!

Which is the point of repentance – that we feel godly remorse, turn to our Savior, and truly and sincerely try not to repeat it again.

Have you tried making this change before? Do you want to try it now?

Make those prayers of forgiveness heavy, real, and specific…

And I believe true miracles can come from this sincerity of heart.

Artwork by Michael Malm

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Pleading and calling first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The end of the Book of Mormon.

“The most correct of any book on earth.”

Another testament of Jesus Christ.

I needed this book this year.

I feel like the world went on a journey that needed the Book of Mormon, too.

From these pages, I was reminded that very real and very imperfect people made miracles happen.

I was reminded that the “blessings” for believing in Christ aren’t always temporal blessings.

Life can be hard at the same time that it is beautiful and peaceful.

Pride is the biggest trap, and it disguises itself by seeming justified pretty often.

God answers prayers.

God knows the bigger picture.

I have to change my heart, but also allow my heart to change my actions.

Sharing the gospel with other people brings great joy.

Everything points us to my Savior.

The Savior cares about literally everyone.

This book is life-changing. In the early latter-days of the church (which we will start studying in just a few days), it was the Book of Mormon that drew people to join a religion that seemed totally strange.

The Book of Mormon is a solid rock in the foundation of my testimony.

Whenever I feel any winds of confusion or doubt blowing, I come back to the Book of Mormon.

It is so true.

And it’s also so useful and practical. And inspirational. And heartbreaking. And powerful.

I love the Book of Mormon.

I have had the Spirit whisper time and time again to me that there is truth in every page.

I’ve heard God speak to me through its pages.

In fact, the first time that I heard God’s voice was in these pages.

And when I pray about this holy book, a sweet Spirit of peace fills my heart.

Every time.

Just peace.

Peace in my heart.

Peace is the real blessing.

I know the Book of Mormon is true, and studying it every single day in 2020 has changed my life. God is good, and Jesus loves me.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My final testimony first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She asked me one day: “What do you think your special spiritual power is?”

She shared that hers was to sense other people’s emotions, even when they wanted to hide them.

I told her that I felt that the Spirit told me truths all the time, both eternal truths, and also about things that would happen in the future.

We had an interesting discussion together about how we both felt that these “powers” were meant to be kept privately.

She totally believed the few sacred experiences I shared with her were true, and she shared some of her beautiful experiences, too.

I’ll never forget that conversation. It was reverent, it was sacred, and it was respectful.

But we also spoke freely about the powers from beyond the veil that can make real differences in our lives.

Because I think the Spirit is more powerful than I even realize.

The Spirit has told me the truth many times.

I’ve had pure gospel truths confirmed to me, like the validity of the Book of Mormon.

I’ve had truths revealed to me about my relationships, like who to become friends with or who to distance myself from.

And I’ve had truths about future events revealed to me, like whether or not I was getting a job or whether something I was worried about would actually happen.

And each time, the Spirit tells me truth in the most peaceful and meek way.

I don’t feel any pride. I don’t feel the need to tell others. I don’t boast.

I just know the Truth.

And I know that God knows that I know.

I think that the truth is quiet. It is powerful and confident, but it is quiet.

And I also think that the Spirit can bring that same truth to anyone who seeks.

I know that I can’t know the answer to every question. I can think of many times when I’ve asked, and NOT received truth. I’ve just received nothing.

But those moments are even still a little comforting. Because I know that if I’m not having the truth revealed to me, it means I’m not meant to know yet.

And then I feel peace.

We can seek for truth. God wants us to know truths, and He gives us His Spirit to let us hear the truths we need.

Whether we are making a personal decision, or seeking for the truth of an ancient record, the Spirit can reveal the truth of all things.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Seeking for the truth first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“It also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better.” – Elder David A. Bednar

Elder Bednar echoes what Moroni ends with so perfectly.

In order to become perfected in Christ, we have to deny ourselves of all ungodliness.

We need to repent and turn away from sin.

Work on overcoming weakness and stand strong against temptation.

But just staying clean isn’t going to get us to “perfection”.

We then have to love God with all our might, mind, and strength.

We have to get up and do good things.

We have to serve, to listen to promptings, to love each other.

Our hearts have to change.

And that’s how we become perfect.

Personally, I feel like my focus changes all the time.

Some days, I’m working on getting rid of sin.

And other days, I’m working to do good with a willing and loving heart.

And being perfected in Christ requires both.

I know we talk about how we can’t become perfect here on earth.

But I do believe that we can become more and more perfected every day.

It’s just about keeping both parts of the equation in mind:

Getting rid of the bad.

And coming to Christ with the good.

And once we show that we can do this in small increments, our Savior shares His grace to slowly make us more and more like Him.

To perfect ourselves in Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Perfected in Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.