The choir I was accompanying sang every note with conviction. ⁣

By the time I played the chord along with their final “to rule again!”, the Spirit was palpable. ⁣

I remember thinking I could have cut the air with a knife. The Spirit was so strong. ⁣

I lifted my fingers off the keys and sat in awe during the powerful closing prayer for the fireside we were at. ⁣

Once the prayer finished, I was in the unique position to look up at the faces of everyone in the choir. ⁣

Everyone was beaming. There was light emanating from each face. ⁣

The fireside that had just concluded?

It was given by a sculptor who had an exhibit of depictions of Christ. ⁣

She had spoken of Christ the entire time. ⁣

The pure Spirit was present as she bore testimony and taught of Him. ⁣

So for us to punctuate her testimony with ours in musical form, still preaching purely of Christ…⁣

It was unforgettable and undeniable. ⁣

I have testimonies of prophets and tithing. ⁣

I have testimonies of church and service. ⁣

I have testimonies of families and miracles. ⁣

But at the end of the day, at the center of it all, is my Savior, Jesus Christ. ⁣

He is the reason for everything else. ⁣

So when I bear record of Jesus Christ, and what His life, sacrifice, and example mean to me, that is when the Spirit is the strongest. ⁣

Because I know that He lives, I can be of good cheer. ⁣

I can let my fears be absorbed into peace. ⁣

Because I know He is standing by me. He never leaves me, even though my heart is prone to wander from Him. ⁣

My Savior is at the center of it all. ⁣

I treasure all aspects of this gospel and of my testimony. ⁣

But when I bear pure testimony of my Savior, I am brought even closer to Him. ⁣

My fear dissipates, my joy increases, and I am reminded of His constance. ⁣

I believe in Christ. ⁣

“I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” – D&C 68:6

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

“Love at Home”. ⁣

NOT “Love One Another” like I had practiced. ⁣

I hurriedly glanced at the program next to me to confirm that yes, he had announced it correctly. ⁣

I had no time to even panic – I just turned to hymn 294 and started the introduction. ⁣

It was my grandpa’s funeral a few years ago, and I had been asked to play the organ for the service.

I had snuck into the chapel the night before to practice on the organ.

And I had diligently practiced “Love One Another” over and over again until the notes, registration, and volume were perfect.

So in that moment when I realized I had practiced the wrong “love” hymn, I started to pray.

I immediately and silently pleaded with the Lord to help me transfer the practice time and energy from the one hymn to the new one. ⁣

“Love at Home” actually isn’t that difficult of a hymn to play, but I had the most beautiful experience.

I KNEW that everything was going to be okay.

I felt strength and confidence in my playing.

I’m sure my dear musical Grandpa, my Heavenly Father, and maybe even others were supporting me. ⁣

To me, THAT is GRACE. ⁣

Divine assistance to carry us through our human frailties.

(I checked my phone afterwards— the correct hymns had been sent to me, I just read it wrong!)⁣

I put in the practice time – that is GOOD WORKS. ⁣

I asked for divine help once I realized my mistake – that is FAITH. ⁣

I was able to play a song flawlessly with zero practice, resulting in a beautiful spiritual experience for myself, and in a reverent introduction for the congregation celebrating my Grandpa’s life – that is GRACE.

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Grace learned at an organ  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.