Everyone was taking the sacrament. ⁣

Everyone has gotten dressed up in their best clothes out of respect for the ordinance. ⁣

And I felt like a hot mess. ⁣

Trying to keep a baby from crying, trying not to let my kid flip the bread tray over (like he has before), trying to be at least kind of reverent. ⁣

Just trying. ⁣

But still a hot mess. ⁣

“Everyone else has it all together. Everyone else can handle their kids and keep them reverent. Everyone else is worshiping appropriately.”⁣

Those words started to creep in my head. ⁣

But then guess what happened?⁣

Over the next two hours, all the “perfect people” around me gave talks, led lessons, shared comments, chatted with me in the hallway…⁣

Each person opening up about a sufficient trial they are going through. ⁣

I KNOW this, and yet I still forget!⁣

Of COURSE the pews aren’t filled with perfect people who haven’t got a care in the world. ⁣

We are all a hot mess in one way or another. ⁣

Just because we smile or we wear nice clothes doesn’t mean our hearts are okay. ⁣

“The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)⁣

The Lord knows the sins, the heartaches, the distractions, the loneliness, the overwhelm that fills each seat at church. ⁣

And I think this is how I want to become more Christlike. ⁣

I see the outward appearance, yes. ⁣

But I want to know the hearts around me, too. ⁣

I want to connect and mourn and love. ⁣

So that instead of sitting in the pew, wallowing in self-pity, I can learn to see and love as the Savior does.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Perfect people in the pews first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And like honestly, I was a pretty good kid.

But I also realize that maybe I shouldn’t have participated in that prank, or I wonder why I felt I was justified in being rude to someone. ⁣

I can just totally see now that there was a disconnect in my integrity—⁣

My actions did not always line up with my beliefs. ⁣

And I didn’t even always realize it in the moment

When I read about Noah, he is spoken of so highly in the scriptures: ⁣

“Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations”. (Genesis 6:9)⁣

Perfect?! ⁣

Well, I’m a big fan of footnotes, and when I looked at the footnote attached to “perfect”, I noticed something:⁣

The Hebrew meaning could also translate to, “complete, whole, having integrity”. ⁣

Now THAT makes sense to me. ⁣

Noah must have been a man of great integrity. ⁣

When he said that he loved God, his actions aligned with making God a priority in his life. ⁣

When he said he would be obedient, he didn’t purposefully cut any corners. ⁣

When he said he would love and care for those around him, he didn’t make exceptions for anyone. ⁣

He was consistent in each area of his life to the best of his abilities.

This is what makes Noah such a great example and disciple of God.⁣

And it makes me want to consider:

How does my integrity measure up? ⁣

Not my perfection, but my degree of integrity?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Noah’s integrity  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We need hands that are virtually always doing something. ⁣

We need flashy white teeth to help eat and enjoy yummy treats. ⁣

We need super smart brains that are always planning and learning. ⁣

We need legs that actually get us going to different places. ⁣

We need elbows to remind us that even when we feel pain, it’s okay to still laugh and be funny. ⁣

We need every body part. ⁣

Some body parts are strange shapes.

Some get all dolled up with makeup. ⁣

Some body parts have hundreds of different uses. Some do the same thing with consistency. ⁣

My nose would be of no use to me if it wanted to walk like my feet. I prefer my nose to be really awesome at being a nose. ⁣

“Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.” (D&C 84:110⁣)

But right before that verse, a warning. ⁣

“Let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; ⁣

“and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?” (D&C 84:109⁣)

The warning is to each of us and it is serious. ⁣

Do we, whatever part we may play, think that we have no need of someone who is different than us?⁣

That we need to make friends with people who are super similar to us? ⁣

That if everyone were a little more like us, the church would be even better?⁣

That is not true. ⁣

We need everyone. We need everyone exactly how they are right now. ⁣

Every strength. Every weakness. Every quirk. Every struggle. Every personality. Every background. ⁣

Not just to make a nice church cuz diversity is cool. ⁣

But to make a PERFECT church. ⁣

Perfect is often synonymous with “whole”, “complete”, or “mature”.⁣

We aren’t broken if we differ from “the norm”. ⁣

We are needed exactly the way that we are in order to make a small part of a complete body. ⁣

We are needed to perform a function that only we can. ⁣

We are needed to edify each other in ways we don’t even realize. ⁣

We need everyone, and our biggest downfall will be if we start thinking we don’t.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Pinky toes first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I don’t have a specific list of names (sorry), but in D&C 76:69, we get a beautiful description of who will be in the celestial kingdom:⁣

“These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus”.⁣

These are just men and women who have been made perfect through our Savior’s atoning sacrifice. ⁣

Did you catch those two elements there?⁣

People who are just, and people who rely on the Savior. ⁣

Elder Soares once taught that we need to:⁣

• have a testimony of Jesus,
• be baptized, ⁣
• and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁣

For most people reading this, I’m going to bet that you can at least initially cross things off this list. ⁣

Here’s where the Savior steps in though.⁣

• Because we ALSO need to be washed clean of all our sins. ⁣

We need to be overcome by faith. ⁣

We need to be sealed by the holy spirit of promise. ⁣

These are much more lofty goals that will take a lifetime of striving, PLUS they are completely impossible without our Savior’s atoning sacrifice to even give us a fighting chance. ⁣

Once again, I’m learning that the Savior is at the center of it all. ⁣

So even though I originally thought these were TWO separate qualifications to enter the celestial kingdom:⁣

Those who are just AND those who are made perfect through Jesus. ⁣

It really is the same. ⁣

We need to be just, which ultimately means relying on our Savior in all things. ⁣

Our Savior is the way to the celestial kingdom.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Who makes it to the celestial kingdom? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

They tell me about a dramatic, heartbreaking event in their lives.

I offer condolences and empathy.

And then they tell me something like:

“I actually don’t really feel that sad about it.

“I thought that this would be worse, but I just feel this sense of peace.”

And I say:

“YES! I know exactly what you mean!”

Because I’ve also had not-so-great things happen in my life.

And even though logic would tell me that I should be in deep despair, I have felt an underlying undeniable peace.

And this, my friends, is what I’ve learned is the true blessing of the gospel.

The true blessing of the gospel isn’t that we will be healed when we get sick.

It isn’t that we will have amazing jobs.

It isn’t that loved ones won’t die.

It isn’t that our bank accounts will stay full.

The true blessing is described beautifully here:

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (D&C 19:23)

That is the perfect blessing that Jesus offers.

Not perfect lives, but perfect PEACE that comes with being a follower of Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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

“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” (D&C 1:31⁣)

Of course not. ⁣

Because immediately after telling us this in verse 31, the Lord gives us the most tender, personal, and hopeful principle in verse 32:⁣

“Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;”⁣

Sometimes I wonder, “How am I ever going to be good enough?”⁣

I’m repenting of the same things over and over. ⁣

I’m trying to figure out a life filled with messy relationships in the most Christlike way that I can. ⁣

I’m trying to do what’s right, and I keep falling short. ⁣

But when I’m in the scriptures, I feel these tender little reminders often:⁣

“You are good enough.”⁣

“You are trying.”⁣

“You are keeping the commandments the best you can.”⁣

“You are trying to change every day.”⁣

I write these statements in the margins of my scriptures pretty often, because I think the Spirit needs me to remember these often. ⁣

I will make mistakes. I will fall short. ⁣

But all that I need to do in order to enter the presence of the Lord…⁣

All that I need to do in order to be in the presence of my God and Savior…⁣

Is to just try. ⁣

To keep the commandments. ⁣

And when I fall short – I just have to want to sincerely change. ⁣

And that’s it. ⁣

It’s difficult. And it’s a lifelong process – no matter how long we’ve got here on earth. ⁣

But to be able to dwell in the presence of my God?⁣

I’ll keep going.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No sign of sin anywhere! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had just explained how I read my scriptures, prayed, attended church, and was kind to my siblings.

My bishop told me how great I was doing!

(Yes, 100% perfect in the church stuff, I thought.)

But then my bishop asked, “So, what are you working on to improve how you live the gospel?”

My mind froze.

I mean, I had just told him I was doing everything right.

I finally muttered…

“Uh. . . I don’t know. Nothing right now.”

My bishop smiled kindly at me and said:

“Well, maybe the next time we meet, you can think about an answer for that.”

Looking back, I chuckle in slight embarrassment but also so much love for teenager Cali who thought “checking all the boxes” was good enough.

The scriptures warn, though, “. . . wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!” (2 Nephi 28:24)

I have learned since that day that there is SO much more to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

And I am also now very aware of the long list of qualities I still need to work on to improve.

Very, very, very aware.

Now, I think it’s important to find a balance, because we don’t want the pendulum to swing too far from over-confident-teenager to never-good-enough-adult.

For example, we can go to a temple recommend interview and respond confidently AND fully recognize that we still need to improve.

We can confidently teach a class at church while relying on the Spirit AND fully recognize that we have so much more to learn.

We can belong and feel happy in Zion without feeling complacent.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My perfect interview  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

In the scriptures, we frequently read about “righteous” people and “unrighteous” people.

But if none of us are perfect, how can we possibly know whether or not we are at least on the right track to being considered “righteous”?

Paul gives us a great clue!

He was speaking about those who are NOT righteous when he said:

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:10-11)

If a group of people doesn’t have any righteousness in them…

It’s because they aren’t SEEKING after God!

So, are you seeking after God?

If I lose my cell phone during the day, I’m proactively going to get up and look everywhere until I find it.

That’s how I picture “seeking after God”.

It’s someone looking for the Spirit, service, personal growth, and prayer with God with earnest.

Don’t forget, we still don’t have to be perfect at this!

We just need to take some sort of action each day to SEEK after God.

Even if it’s just a silent, sincere prayer in our hearts that we are on the right track.

Small but proactive actions like that add up to righteousness!

“Although we may not be perfect, brothers and sisters, we can be worthy.” -Becky Craven

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post How do I know if I’m righteous?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Whole. Complete. Finished.

But I heard one alternate translation about 10 years ago sitting in a religion class at BYU that I’ve never forgotten.

What if we replaced “perfection” with “spiritual maturity”?

As the mom of a 5 year old, 3 year old, and almost 1 year old, I am very very VERY familiar with what it is like dealing with emotionally IMMATURE (but very cute) little human beings all the time.

Crying about wanting a popsicle when I’ve just offered them ice cream.

Getting frustrated that I insist they wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

Wanting to do everything by themselves, even if they absolutely are not able to.

Not understanding that temporary situations or requests won’t last forever.

They are immature adorable little kids who I have full faith with grow in maturity as they develop patience, broadened perspectives, empathy, and reasoning abilities.

So when Jesus invites us to “Be ye therefore perfect”, (Matthew 5:48)…

What would that look like if we thought about it in the sense of:

Be ye therefore spiritually mature.

When I examine my life, I find many areas of spiritual immaturity.

Impatience for when I want prayers answered on my timeline, or when I want other people to change immediately.

Pride that makes me think I don’t need constant humility and dependence on the Lord.

Annoyance that other people are doing better than I am, and boastfulness that urges me to judge others for everything they are doing wrong.

And that’s what I see as I read the Sermon on the Mount!

Jesus is teaching principle after principle aimed at raising our levels of spiritual maturity.

No one expects us to reach perfection in this life.

But it seems reasonable to me to keep moving toward that mark of spiritual maturity.

To grow and develop so much that I start to realize how silly it was that I had all those rules about keeping the Sabbath, or how embarrassing it was that I judged that woman by what she was wearing, or how blind I was in thinking that God was nowhere to be found.

Be ye therefore spiritually mature.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Spiritual maturity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It was over a year ago now, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

“I know everyone says that bishops aren’t perfect, but I didn’t realize they would call someone so normal like us!”

“Oh no, we are going to be judged a lot.”

“This isn’t a convenient time in our life.”

“Will I ever see my husband again?”

“Hey this actually might be a lot of fun!”

… and a lot more weird, conflicting thoughts.

But it’s like our stake president could read my mind as we sat there in his office, processing the call.

He very wisely said:

“The Lord didn’t call you guys because you are perfect. Or even near-perfect. The Lord has called you because you are willing to serve.”

Prophets, apostles, bishops, RS presidents, counselors, leaders of any kind throughout time have never claimed to be perfect.

I’ve loved reading in the Old Testament this year about flawed, VERY FLAWED, humans that God used to spread His message and accomplish miracles.

But He was able to use them because they were WILLING to serve.

Isaiah, the man that we often revere as some kind of special guy who could spout off powerful prophecy that is complicated and deeply spiritual, felt unworthy for his call, too!

He felt so inadequate.

But then the Lord cleansed Isaiah from his sins, and he had a change of heart:

“I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Now Isaiah was ready to accept the call.

Not because he no longer had any weaknesses or desire to sin.

Not because he would always make good decisions in the future.

But because he was now willing to accept the call.

That’s all God really wants from us.

Willing moms and dads, not perfect moms and dads.

Willing ministering brothers and sisters.

Willing missionaries.

Willing musicians.

Willing scriptorians.

Willing hearts.

He wants you, not in some future, perfected state.

But exactly as you are right now, if you are willing to give your heart to Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Bishops and willing hearts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.