It was a unique life experience where I knew something really difficult was about to happen. ⁣

There wasn’t much I could do to prepare other than plead for heavenly assistance. ⁣

I joined my voice with David when he said:⁣

“Draw nigh unto my soul”. (Psalms 69:18) ⁣

I quite literally said in prayer, “I’m going to need Your strength a lot more. I need You closer to me.”⁣

I put the responsibility on the Lord. ⁣

He needed to come closer to me to help support me through this tough time, right?⁣

The Spirit often speaks to me by putting whole sentences or phrases right in my mind. ⁣

The response I immediately got was:⁣

“I’m already here. You know what you need to do to draw more of My power into your life.”⁣

It was exactly the message that I needed to hear. ⁣

How do we get Jesus to draw closer to us?⁣

We draw closer to Him. ⁣

Since that moment, I’ve tried to make the Savior an even higher priority in my life. ⁣

I’ve tried to make more time for Him, I’ve tried to speak with Him more, and I’ve tried to speak about Him more. ⁣

I’ve drawn closer to Him, even though it’s seemed like He has drawn closer to me. ⁣

And other times, I’ve forgotten. ⁣

I’ve thought, “Where is He? Why do I feel so out of touch?”⁣

And then I remember. ⁣

Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are certainly not out of touch with me. ⁣

As a caveat, I do fully believe that the Lord can send extra measures of His Spirit when we are in need, and I don’t believe that we can force spiritual experiences by our actions. ⁣

God is divine and can do according to His desires. ⁣

But I needed the gentle but firm reminder that day that when I’m hoping that God will come closer to me, there’s probably only one of us who is actually being distant. ⁣

It’s on me, with righteous and pure intent, to seek Him out. ⁣

To stretch out my hand to accept His help that’s been there all along.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Draw nigh unto my soul first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I draw a lot of spiritual strength on finding patterns in the scriptures though, and the patterns are pretty clear:⁣

Fasting has been around for generations, and countless saints have used it to draw close to the Lord, petition the Lord, and humble themselves. ⁣

When Esther was gathering her strength and courage to approach the king, she requested the Jews fast for her. ⁣

But she also said that she and her handmaidens would be fasting, too. ⁣

Everyone was fasting. ⁣

And then Esther successfully approached the king to plead for her people.⁣

What has fasting done for you?

Why do you think we are asked to fast?

What spiritual strength have you seen from fasting?

What misconceptions do you think people have about fasting?⁣

I’ve learned it’s a deeply symbolic act that can have a lot of emotions, and of course physical sensations, tied up with it.

“Fast ye for me.” (Esther 4:16)

“Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Fasting thoughts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I have a friend that I only send memes or funny stuff to. ⁣

You gotta have a friend like that, right?⁣

We met up, and all of a sudden I realized that even though we technically “communicated” often, we didn’t know much about what was really going on in each other’s lives. ⁣

We didn’t know about the more serious stuff. The struggles. The big decisions. The heartfelt emotions. ⁣

We had a lot of catching up to do. (And it was still fun!)⁣

I had a chance to meet up with an old coworker, too. ⁣

We’ve done really well keeping in touch with the serious stuff in life. ⁣

I know about her health struggles, she knows about my struggles with figuring out work. ⁣

We are really good at having serious conversations. ⁣

And so when we met up, I realized she didn’t know about the funny moments in my life! The times where my kid is covered in who-knows-what from digging in the trash, or the exciting new achievement one of them made.

I love both of these friends so dearly and I value their friendships for the different ways that they happen. ⁣

Because I need both kinds of friends. ⁣

But I also realized… I want my Heavenly Father and my Savior to be both kinds of friends to me, and I to Them. ⁣

I want the formal, big, serious stuff. ⁣

The down-on-my-knees, eyes-filled-with-tears, baring my soul kind of prayer. ⁣

And I also want to share the easier, lighter, day-to-day stuff. ⁣

The prayer for patience as my daughter insists on telling me a story before she will buckle her car seat. The prayer of gratitude when my son gives a huge laugh. ⁣

I want both with Them. ⁣

The Lord taught: ⁣

“In prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private”. (D&C 81:3⁣)

Formal prayers are essential. ⁣

Informal prayers are essential. ⁣⁣

We need both.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Two different friendships  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I searched all the usual suspect places.

I asked my kids.

I looked in unusual places.

And then I did what I think most of us have learned to do in these types of situations:

I said a quick prayer and kept searching.

The Spirit loves action, right?!

Surely I’d be led to my keys now.

But……… nothing.

And I really had to leave to go somewhere.

I decided to say another prayer, but this time, I was going to be really sincere and then pause to listen for promptings.

I was surprised that when I prayed and paused, a calm but certain thought came to my mind that I WASN’T going to find my keys.

I knew that I needed to find another way to get where I was going.

When David Whitmer struggled, the Lord gave him this advice:

“You are left to inquire for yourself at my hand, and ponder upon the things which you have received.” (D&C 30:3)

Yes, we need to ask and inquire as we say prayers.

But we also need to ponder!

I was so sure that the Spirit would help me find my keys as I searched…

That I forgot to wait and listen for an answer.

And there have been other situations in my life when I’ve prayed, pondered, and then had my mind brought to an earlier conversation that suddenly seemed like an answer.

The Lord answers prayers when we ask.

But sometimes, and more often than I’d like to admit,

It’s possible I’m missing the little answers, the nudges, or the guidance because I’m not leaving time to ponder and listen.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The lost keys first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

While I’ve since learned that everyone experiences the Spirit differently…

And that it is perfectly fine to not cry,

There is actually one sure way to get my tears flowing:

Play beautiful music.

When I sit down to watch General Conference and I hear the choir begin singing a song, the tears usually start flowing.

My absolute favorite way to bear my testimony is to play a piano solo of a hymn arrangement in church.

Or to sing with a choir, all united together in perfect harmony.

The Lord asked Emma Smith to compile sacred hymns for the Church, and then He told her:

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” (D&C 25:12)

God delights in our music.

Songs of righteous people are prayers.

And these song-prayers will be answered with blessings.

No talent, audition, or training required.

Where can you add even more joyful music to your life?

“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.” – First Presidency Preface to Hymnbook

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I thought something was wrong with me first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

This would be the day I finally got my answer.

My husband and I had been trying to make a decision about buying a home.

We had found a house…

But I had a lot of reasons for not wanting to move there.

A lot.

It was a great list that I kept repeating over and over in my head.

All the reasons NOT to move there.

As we sat in the temple, I silently told God that I was ready for an answer about the house.

I was surprised when the answer came immediately, quietly, and forcefully:

“I already told you. Trust what I told you before.”

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

I really felt like we should move there.

But then I started coming up with my list of “why nots.”

I had already received my answer…

But I was trying to force an answer that He wasn’t going to give.

And He lovingly brought my mind back to the moment when He had already responded.

Oliver Cowdery wanted confirmation that he was doing the correct thing by helping Joseph Smith, 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)

God answers prayers.

And He sometimes lovingly reminds us to trust the answers we’ve already received.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Should we buy the house?! 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. ⁣

It wasn’t an add-on to a prayer he was already going to say.

That WAS the prayer.

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 my weaknesses 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. What does my daughter need? What could I do to help her? Hmmm… 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.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I’ve taken this out of my prayers first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

In both a priesthood blessing and a group prayer that were offered while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive, while the fate of this individual was still unknown, there was a unique experience. ⁣

No one prayed for nor was this person blessed with healing. ⁣

All of the blessings were for comfort for family members and for those of us in the room. ⁣

Everyone knew, in an unspeakable, powerful way, that healing was not what we should be praying for. ⁣

Some of my most holy moments have been similar, in much less dramatic ways.

Where it wasn’t me praying for my own will, but instead feeling my will being distinctly pulled to my Father’s will. ⁣

Moroni promised us that:

“Whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him.” (Mormon 9:21)⁣

But Moroni also clarified how we know that our prayers will truly be answered. ⁣

We must “ask with a firmness unshaken”. (Mormon 9:28)⁣

That is what the “unshaken firmness” feels like to me. ⁣

It’s when I’m praying with such pure intent and faith that I feel my will being gently molded and aligned. ⁣

Father and child. ⁣

I know what to ask for, and what not to ask for. ⁣

The job, the friend, the mission, the child, the opportunity. ⁣

My will is aligned. ⁣

And with firmness unshaken, I know that the prayer will be answered.

“Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other”. (Bible Dictionary, Prayer)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Firmness unshaken first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I love it because I can stay in touch with family and friends who aren’t with me. ⁣

I show them funny things that my kids do, brag about accomplishments, ask for advice, vent, ramble…⁣

Most of the time, no one is watching live as I send my video. ⁣

They’ll watch it whenever they can, and respond when they can. ⁣

It’s fun to not have to worry about whether or not they are available to chat – I just send it when it’s convenient to me!⁣

(And no, this post isn’t sponsored by the Marco Polo app, I promise there’s a spiritual lesson here )

But this is how I imagine my constant prayers in my heart to my Heavenly Father, too. ⁣

Whenever I’m in a moment of gratitude, pride for my kids, laughter, frustration, confusion, or even boredom…⁣

He is there and waiting for me to share the little snippet of my life with Him. ⁣

It’s casual and real.

(Except, He’s always available and always watching me on “live” .)⁣

However, there are other times where I actually meet up with my friends, FaceTime with my family, or speak face to face with my husband. ⁣

Those are important conversations because that’s where the real communication happens, where real bonds are formed, where my relationships become authentic and important. ⁣

Our relationship with our Heavenly Father needs BOTH the formal morning/evening prayers AND the constant, more casual check-ins. ⁣

“And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.” (3 Nephi 20:1)

Sometimes, I rock at my formal prayers. ⁣

But other times, I find myself only “sending Marco Polos” by reaching out during the day in casual moments when my emotions are particularly strong. ⁣

I think a good, strong relationship needs both. ⁣

Real, deep, communing conversations with our Heavenly Father are essential in order to get to know Him and His will.

And little, constant check-ins on our part keep our hearts always turned to Him. ⁣

Both are important to build and maintain a healthy and relevant relationship the Mighty God of Heaven, our loving Heavenly Father.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Marco Polos first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

All 3 kids were excited to get started.

We were reading about Jesus visiting the Nephites and blessing the little children and looking at pictures.

“Why is Jesus crying?”

“No, it’s my turn to read, you just went!”

“There are angels!”

“Did Jesus create all the United States?”

“She’s making me laugh!”

“If we were there, we would have been part of that group of kids too!”

A little all over the place, which is pretty normal for a 2, 4, and 6 year old.

We did our best, and it was all good.

Then it was time for family prayer and all three kids wanted to pray.

So we literally had all 3 kids say the family prayer, one after the other.

It was chaotic but also so sweet.

Young kids are often a lot of work. Frustrating. Impatient. Constantly in need.⁣

But other times, I catch a glimpse of their pure and powerful spirits.

My kids are real people. They’ve got a full mortal life and a spiritual forever ahead of them.

And although they need to mature developmentally…⁣

They have faith now. ⁣

They have pure, simple faith. They believe Jesus really did visit the children of the Nephites with all their heart.

And I think that’s why Christ wept when He was with the little children. ⁣

His joy was full because of their great faith. ⁣

President Henry B. Eyring once shared that he felt frustrated with a son who was jumping on the bed. ⁣

He grabbed his son by his shoulders, and immediately the Spirit spoke to him:⁣

“You are holding a great person.”⁣

Children are not easy to raise. They are not always obedient, kind, and willing to share. They are not perfect in that sense. ⁣At all.

But they are perfect in their faith. ⁣

It is unwavering. It is pure. ⁣

And that is what filled Christ with such joy that He wept. ⁣

I like to reflect on whether or not I’ve lost that Christlike faith. If I’ve become just a touch too cynical or conditional or “realistic”.

I want my faith to become more childlike and pure, so that I can make my Savior’s joy full. ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A glimpse into our family study  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.