But I am so grateful for the few glimpses we get into how Lehi and Sariah interacted!

Sariah started complaining and murmuring that her sons were probably killed in the wilderness.

She couldn’t believe she trusted her “visionary” husband.⁣

She blamed her husband for her trials.

And I completely understand where Sariah was coming from–

I have blamed my husband for much more minor offenses than forcing us to leave our home and losing our children.

After Sariah complained, but before her sons returned, we see how Lehi responded:

He reaffirmed the truth of the visions he had.

And then he comforted her.

“And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us  . . . .” (1 Nephi 5:6)

Lehi comforted his grieving and frustrated wife.

Pointing fingers in a marriage (or any relationship) is easy.

But often, what we all need is just comfort.

Despite our weaknesses, we want to know that we are loved and cared for.

Jesus did this a lot.

He comforted and mourned with those who were distraught.

And it’s a great pattern for each of us to try to emulate just a little bit better.

To try to show love in a mortal world where it is so easy to criticize.

To take off the judgmental lenses and embrace the child of God.

Great relationships involve showing comfort and love, especially when we are the most vulnerable.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sariah complains  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It’s been a lot.

It’s hard every time to get the news that someone has passed on.

No matter how expected or unexpected, no matter how young or how old, no matter what they still had ahead of them or what they had already accomplished.

It’s hard to see someone pass on from this life.

And we’ve also had this unique experience to be able to see patterns throughout all of the services we’ve attended.

Each service has brought moments where I’ve cried. Where I’ve mourned things lost.

And each service has brought moments where I’ve felt the Spirit, filled with peace and hope for the future.

I’ve found peace and comfort in recognizing both parts.

And in recognizing how the Savior makes it all possible.

He rose from the grave so that the dark nights can turn into mornings.

“From sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day”. (Esther 9:22)

Life doesn’t end here.

Good days are coming.

Reunions and eternal life are ahead.

All thanks to Jesus Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Good days are coming first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve wondered a lot this week about why Enoch was the guy who created this literal Zion city here on earth.

There have been so many mighty prophets and righteous people beforehand and since, and I don’t think that Enoch was objectively THE most righteous.

But what was his special gift, his spiritual superpower that made him perfect for this particular role of creating a Zion community?

And the word COMPASSION couldn’t help but jump out as I read Moses 7.

This guy wept when he learned of terrible destruction that would happen.

He wept when he saw the Savior crucified.

He wept when he saw latter-day destruction.

But he didn’t just cry and feel sad about these things:

He always tried to do something about it.

He saw Noah’s flood?

Enoch wept, and he also pled with the Lord to make a covenant to bless Noah’s seed who would remain on earth.

He saw even more destruction?

Enoch wept and asked the Lord when our poor Mother Earth would get relief from having to bear the pains of mankind.

He saw more wickedness and the Savior being slain?

Enoch asked if the Lord would come again to bring peace.

What a fantastic example of compassion, right?!

He saw the suffering of others, whether it was his fellow man, the Earth, or the Savior.

And he wept because of the pain they were enduring.

And THEN, he did what he could to try to relieve their suffering, or to at least learn about what would relieve it.

We don’t get many details about what Enoch actually did in his city with the righteous people who lived there.

But I imagine this pattern was repeated day in and day out.

Tough times would happen. Someone would come to battle against them. Someone would lose a loved one. Someone would mentally and emotionally have a rough day.

And people would notice, mourn, and do what they could to help.

Over and over.

Compassion. Enoch showed it, the Lord shows it, and each member of a Zion community shows it, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Enoch’s compassion first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.