So, let’s take a master class from him, alright?

D&C 127 and 128 give us five principles for how Joseph received revelation:

First, Joseph knew that revelation takes time and comes little bit by little bit. ⁣

“I will write the word of the Lord from time to time” (D&C 127:10)⁣

Second, Joseph knew he would receive revelation by pondering the subjects God was pointing his mind and spirit toward.

“I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind and press itself upon my feelings the strongest” (D&C 128:1)⁣

Third, Joseph was in the scriptures.

In these sections, he quoted five different scriptures from the Bible and talked freely about them, making connections between the glimpses of doctrine being taught.

“As you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12…” (D&C 128:6)⁣

Fourth, Joseph knew that he would continue to receive revelation that would clarify and adjust what he had previously received.

“I have a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now certify” (D&C 128:2)⁣

And fifth, he praised the Lord constantly as he received revelation, always bringing his mind back to gratitude for what he had been given.

“Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King!” (D&C 128:23)⁣

What a cool master class in receiving revelation, right? ⁣

What stood out to you as you read Joseph’s own words in Sections 127-128?

And how can you do better at inviting and receiving personal revelation from the Lord?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post 5 steps for revelation  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Isn’t it CRAZY sometimes to think about how people in very similar circumstances can receive completely different responses to their prayers?⁣

A young couple gets married, and everyone has advice on how long they should or shouldn’t wait to have a kid, based on their own experiences and personal answers. ⁣

Parents pray together about how to deal with a specific child, and receive an answer that seems completely incomprehensible to someone else dealing with their own child. ⁣

A Bishop prays and feels that the ward should have certain initiatives or priorities, even though another Bishop has completely different ideas for his ward. ⁣

So who is wrong, and who is right? ⁣

Nephi clarified this for us in a beautiful, but often complicated lesson.⁣

“I was led by the Spirit”. ⁣(1 Nephi 4:6)

Two people, praying for exactly the same advice, may receive two completely different answers.

And if they have the Spirit with them, this is completely fine. ⁣

Two mothers may pray.

One mother may get a full-time job, and one mother may stay with her kids full-time.

As long as both are staying close to the Spirit and listening to their personal promptings, this is exactly how it should be. ⁣

It is sometimes a little difficult to read the account of Nephi slaying King Laban.

How could this make sense? Couldn’t there have been another way for Nephi to obtain these important plates?⁣

But when it comes down to it, Nephi reminds us:⁣

“I was led by the Spirit”. ⁣ (1 Nephi 4:6)

The answer he received in that moment was meant exactly for him in that situation.

And since he was close to the Spirit, that was clearly the right thing for him to do. No concerns about it. ⁣

Sometimes it can be hard to see when other people act on different promptings than we receive. ⁣

But Nephi followed the personal instructions he was given, no matter how difficult they were for him to follow. ⁣

And I think our lives are best lived when we stop worrying so much about and comparing the decisions other people are making, and instead focus on this big question:⁣

Do I have the Spirit with me?⁣

And that’s all that matters.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Married way too young first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Why do you live where you do right now?”

EVERY SINGLE TIME that I’ve asked someone new that I meet why they live in the area, there’s a great story.

A story that usually involves a lot of “coincidences” just working out.

A lot of answered prayers.

Really, really cool stories.

(No really, start asking this question even to people you think you know well— it’s so fun!)

And honestly, I have a similar story.

We live in our current home in our current area due to a lot of promptings, some time in the temple, a softening of my heart, and a persistent salesperson.

And I know my family is 100% meant to be where we live right now.

Whether or not they recognize it, I’ve realized that most people I’m surrounded by are here because of some form of personal revelation.

Paul went on his journeys with the same guidance in mind:

“And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles…“ (Galatians 2:2)

He traveled by listening to promptings and acting on personal revelation.

And that technique led Paul to exactly where he needed to be!

I like thinking that everyone has been guided to where they are right now for a purpose.

No matter how long they’ll be there.

If this is true, what do you think your purpose might be?

Who can you reach out to and serve in a totally unique way?

What new friends are waiting to be discovered?

Who can you love?

When we humbly lend our will to God and allow our lives to be led by personal revelation, God can lead us to the people who need our specific help the most.

No matter where we are.

No matter how new, or how short we’ll stay.

No matter whether or not we think we “fit in”, or any other mortal thoughts we use to keep ourselves small.

If we were led by revelation, we can trust that God can use us to accomplish His purposes.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Being led by revelation first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

A group of saints gathered at Mary’s house to pray. ⁣

There was a knock on the door, and young Rhoda went to see who it was.

She heard Peter’s voice!

Rhoda was SO GLAD that she ran back inside without opening the door for him. ⁣

She told everyone: Peter is right outside the gate!⁣

And these saints,

who are all gathered around, praying intently that Peter would be saved and set free,

tell Rhoda that she is crazy. ⁣

Anyone else see the irony there?

Do we sometimes pray and plead for answers and miracles in our lives…

and then ignore the small signs that the answer is right there?!

And then dear, excited, sweet Rhoda stands her ground.

She doesn’t second guess what she just experienced.

She doesn’t defer to the older people in the room.

But she also doesn’t argue or make a scene. ⁣

“But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.” (Acts 12:15)

Instead, she CONSTANTLY AFFIRMED that it was Peter. ⁣

Personal spiritual experiences and personal revelation are so interesting because they are just that – personal.

Nobody else is experiencing exactly what you are experiencing. ⁣

Sometimes well-meaning church members, family members, or close friends shed some doubt on our spiritual experiences. ⁣

“Well that’s an interesting decision for you!”

But Rhoda did not crumble or doubt.

She didn’t make a fuss or a scene.

She just CONSTANTLY AFFIRMED what she had heard. ⁣

THIS is what softened their hearts enough to go check the door themselves and eventually experience that same witness for themselves.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Constantly affirming with Rhoda and Peter first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

My coworkers (who I loved absolutely dearly and who I know loved me too) were suddenly constantly joking around and saying things like:

“Oh I bet you are planning to quit soon! All the good teachers end up quitting as soon as they have a baby!”

I had many coworkers who were amazing mothers who worked full time as teachers, but still I could feel the judgment.

Everyone expected me, the new young mom, to now quit, because they had seen it plenty of times before.

And I did not want to prove them right.

But what they didn’t know is that I had already received super personal revelation that I needed to quit my job.

They didn’t realize how much I had wrestled with the Lord over the revelation, but couldn’t deny it.

And so here I was, about to resign from my job, with coworkers who were constantly joking about how I would probably quit soon.

Have I mentioned I don’t like being a stereotype?!

I honestly felt a little insecure and embarrassed about quitting.

I didn’t want to be labeled and judged.

As I prayed a lot about this though, my thoughts started to change.

The Lord quietly taught me that I can have confidence when I remember who I am and when I act with His power on His revelation.

I am a child of God.

He has a path for me.

And I can feel confidence and peace with that.

If other people want to judge me for following my personal revelation?

I can’t control that.

Jesus Himself experienced people doubting and trying to incorrectly label Him.

“Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22)

“If thou be the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3)

But Jesus wasn’t swayed by others mislabeling Him or doubting His worth.

And I don’t need to be either.

When I remember that I am a Child of God, I gain confidence to act on my personal revelation, with true authority, no matter what others may think.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Remembering who I am  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

So I read it again, trying to make sure my brain was engaged.

I read it a couple more times, and realized I still didn’t fully understand what I was reading.

I get confused by the scriptures plenty of times (which is why I love digging into the research to try and learn— even though it takes a long time).

But when I don’t have the time to research and study, I am often confused by these ancient books of scriptures that were written in different generations, in different cultures, and that have often been through many translations, too.

So why would we be asked to read and study the scriptures if it can be so difficult sometimes?

Even as I read through those confusing verses recently, I had a phrase pop out to me that taught me a little gospel truth.

I know that God always prepares a way for us to keep His commandments!

Even when I’ve read through confusing scriptures…

When I haven’t understood the context…

When I feel like I wouldn’t even pass a basic comprehension test…

I’ve had phrases pop out to me that make sense and teach me a powerful personal lesson.

I’ve received personal revelation.

I’ve felt the Spirit.

When the people of Jerusalem, after they had been able to rebuild and fortify their temple, all gathered together to hear Ezra read them the scriptures, it says that the scriptures were read in a holy way, and “caused them to understand the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8).

These people had spoken different languages, completely forgotten what had been written down, and had been exposed to other cultures and religious practices.

And yet the Spirit caused them to understand the reading.

When we have the Spirit with us, even difficult passages of scriptures can bring us the answers we need.

Being in the scriptures is so so SO essential.

Feeling overwhelmed or confused? There’s lots of ways to learn more confidence in the scriptures.

But nothing can beat having the Spirit as a companion. The understanding that you NEED in your life is always available in the scriptures when the Spirit is present.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Confusing scriptures and spiritual understanding  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Like, “we believe the prophet will still receive revelation for things in the future”.

But it’s just as powerful to realize that this is a personal statement, too.

I believe all that God has revealed to me personally in the past.

Those promptings about choices to make, those confirmations, that guidance.

I believe all that He does now reveal in my life.

I am seeking out and actively believing the personal revelation that I need right now.

And I believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things that will help me build up the kingdom of God.

I believe this.

I know that I will continue to have difficult questions.

I know that I will continue to have choices to make.

I know that I will experience heartbreaking circumstances in the future.

I know that things will not go according to my plan.

And yet, I believe that He will reveal to me everything that I need to know in order to make it back to Him and improve myself.

I believe that.

And that belief leads to a great deal of trust and confidence as I prove Him right, time and time again.

Personal revelation is a miracle.

Not just as a distant concept of hoping the prophet is doing his part to lead the church.

But as a personal principle that has led me in the past, steers me right now, and gives me confidence in my future.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post He will yet reveal to me first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I try to pay attention to little promptings, and I feel proud about every piece of writing that I post on my account.

I also have received countless messages where people have told me that something I wrote has been an answer to their prayers– some even in specific and dramatic ways.

I don’t say this to make myself sound awesome. In fact, I want to make a point about this–

I am not authorized to receive revelation for any of you.

I have not been set apart with priesthood power, nor have I entered into a priesthood covenant that gives me stewardship over any of you (unless my children or members of my Sunday School class are reading this). 

I AM grateful that Heavenly Father wants to answer your prayers and give many of you comfort, and that He sometimes uses the words that I write or speak in order to answer those prayers.

But I think it is super important to know who we have stewardship over– and who we don’t.

I LOVE that the Lord is so organized when it comes to how revelation happens in this church.

The Lord reminded Joseph and Oliver in Section 28:2 that “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.”

So the prophet is the only person who can receive revelation for the entire church!

When I’m deciding whether or not an activity is appropriate for the Sabbath day, I can look to the prophet and other general leaders for their counsel.

And if there isn’t anything specifically about my situation, I can use my best judgment and personal revelation to make my decision.

And then I don’t have to worry AT ALL about what my neighbor chooses to do or not do on the Sabbath… because I don’t have any stewardship over them!

But I can help and guide my children on what we do on Sundays, because I do have stewardship over them.

And then I can be inspired with how to teach my Sunday School class about the Sabbath day in a way that might be an answer to their prayers. I have been set apart with priesthood power to teach them.

I think it is so important to know who we have stewardship over, and to help guide and teach those people.

And it’s equally important to know who we don’t have stewardship over, so that we can love and lift them where they are.

God’s house is a house of order.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Knowing our stewardship first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The Lord speaks to us in so many ways, and the one He teaches in Section 8 is one of my favorites.

My husband and I recently had to make a financial decision that we were going back and forth on.

We prayed about it a lot, but our hearts weren’t telling us anything yet.

We finally logically came to the conclusion that we should go in one particular way.

After we had made that decision, our hearts started to feel at peace. We felt super confident moving forward with our choice, and we knew we had our answer!

In one of the most famous scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord tells Oliver Cowdery:

“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.”

In other words – the Lord likes to send us his Spirit through both our mind and our heart.

Both!

That feeling in your heart is the Spirit, but that thought in your head that seems so logical is the Spirit, too.

However, I’ve learned they don’t always speak at the same time.

With this financial decision, the logical journey came first. I wanted to feel it in my heart. Desperately.

But I needed to make up my mind before the confirmation came.

I needed to trust my agency and use it wisely.

And then other times, I feel it in my heart before I can work through the logic.

I want it to make sense, but it doesn’t really make sense yet. So I have to move forward in pure faith that my heart is right, and wait for the logic to catch up.

I want the heart and the mind at the same time, but I think the Lord likes to give me opportunities to practice with just one or the other.

Practice my agency with my mind, and practice my faith in God with my heart.

And eventually, sometimes much much later, I feel it in both.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The heart and the mind first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

This was going to be the day I finally got my answer.

This was a couple of years ago, and my husband and I had been trying to make a decision about buying our first home.

We had found a house.

I had a lot of reasons I didn’t want to move there.

A lot.

It was a great list that I kept repeating over and over in my head, almost like proof to Heavenly Father for why He should tell us not to purchase this home.

And as we sat in the sealing room for some proxy sealings, I silently told God that I was ready for an answer about the house.

I anticipated needing to wait and ponder for a while, but the answer came immediately, quietly, and forcefully.

“I already told you. I already spoke peace to your heart. Trust what I told you before.”

And my mind was brought back to the first time I had prayed about this house.

I really felt like we should move there, but I started coming up with my list of “why nots”.

That had been my answer.

I already knew deep down.

I was trying to force an answer that He wasn’t going to give, and He so lovingly brought my mind back to the night when He had already responded.

I think of sweet Oliver Cowdery, who wanted some confirmation that he was doing the correct thing by helping out this Joseph, who many seemed to think was delusional.

And the answer Oliver got?

“If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

“Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:22-23)

Today, I embark on the final year of my twenties.

And I know that God answers prayers.

If you want to try this out for my birthday today, I invite you to ask God a specific question that has been in your mind, and then read your scriptures.

He might bring to your mind an answer that you didn’t even realize you already had.

Or He might get the message to you in the myriad ways that only He can.

But God answers prayers.

And that is the greatest gift of all!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Remembering the peace first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.