The syllabus said we were literally studying the 15 men (3 in the First Presidency and 12 in the Quorum of 12) who we CURRENTLY sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. ⁣

And it was true!

In that class, we studied about their lives, their careers, their families…

And we studied their most notable talks and messages. ⁣

I LOVED IT!⁣

Instead of seeing these men get up in General Conference and then forgetting about them for six months, I found myself studying and learning from their lives and messages.

Just as we would any other important historical or religious figure. ⁣

One of my biggest spiritual takeaways from my time at BYU was a deep understanding that what the current prophets say, in their official capacity as prophets, is doctrine. ⁣

It is our most current scripture. ⁣

“No man becomes president of the church of Jesus Christ by accident, or remains there by chance, or is called home by happenstance.⁣

“The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age.” – Pres Benson, “Teachings of the Presidents”⁣

And in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-5, the Lord commands the freshly organized church, in relation to Joseph Smith, to:⁣

“Give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;⁣

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth.”⁣

President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet that we need to listen to THE MOST today. ⁣

He is giving us the Lord’s words for us. ⁣

The people in Nephi’s time didn’t need to worry about restoring a church. ⁣

And the people with Joseph Smith didn’t need to build a boat. ⁣

President Nelson is telling us the most current, up-to-date messages, straight from the Savior. ⁣

So… am I following the CURRENT prophet?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Living prophets first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Why does it matter that we have living prophets and apostles on the earth today?⁣

Why does it matter that we receive continued revelation in our lives?⁣

Honestly— someone asked me these questions recently and it took me a bit to figure out why I felt all of these things were so important.

I want to share what I think, but I also invite you to ponder about your own responses.

I believe the answer is because the gospel is alive and relevant!

We have a LIVING Savior with LIVING prophets and REAL-TIME guidance from the Spirit.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ care about us right now, living our lives.

They care about our “modern” problems.

⁣The Savior can offer us grace right now!

Sometimes when we read about Christ living 2,000 years ago, it’s easy to keep Him 2,000 years ago in our mind.

Just like the prophets we read about in the scriptures, we keep Him in the time period where we read about His stories.

Sandals. Walking in Galilee. Robes.

Jesus isn’t with everyone else we’ve read about who has since passed on.

He is alive!

“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)

He rose from the dead so He could be on our journey with us as much as He was on the streets in Jerusalem.

I’m grateful for a living Savior, with living prophets, with ever-present personal revelation that can help me in my immediate times of need.

So what help, guidance, love, or impressions do you need today?

It’s all available right now in this living gospel!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Three important questions  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And instead of giving multiple talks, he would just give one, usually 4 or 5 minutes long.

I’ll be honest that because of this shift, I didn’t really remember much about what President Monson said in his talks.

But I DO remember one General Conference where it seemed like each speaker thanked President Monson for encouraging them to focus on the Book of Mormon for the past six months.

They each shared how their own lives had been blessed by following the prophet’s counsel.

I thought to myself: What did I miss?!

I didn’t even remember what President Monson had spoken about at the last conference.

I went back to read his message again, and sure enough, in his own flowery and poetry-filled way, there was this essential counsel from a prophet of the Lord to focus more on the Book of Mormon.

I really felt like I had missed the boat, and I made a promise to Heavenly Father that I would never take lightly or dismiss the words of His living prophet ever again.

It’s almost refreshing to read an account in the Old Testament this week where Haggai, a prophet of the Lord, tells the people in Jerusalem to change.

AND THEY DO.

“Then… the remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him”. (Haggai 1:12)

It’s almost shocking compared to the rest of the Old Testament, right?!

They heard the words of the Lord through their prophet, and they obeyed.

And how did the Lord respond?

“Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.” (Haggai 1:13)

The Lord is with us when we take seriously the words of His prophets and decide to make a change!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Missing the boat  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me”. (Ezekiel 33:7)

Prophets have weighty calls.

But… I’m not totally off the hook.

I do have responsibility for teaching some people.

Who do I have stewardship over?

My family members should always be my top priority.

I want to do my absolute best to make sure they know how to make and keep covenants and why I think it’s the best decision that they can make.

But I also have the opportunity to fulfill my calling.

Formal callings like teaching and duties like ministering assignments.

I want to also make sure I speak openly about Jesus and help them to come closer to Him by interacting with me.

And then even in casual settings.

When I speak with friends, when I interact with someone at the store, when I post on social media.

I can find opportunities to bear simple or unspoken testimonies of what I believe and how that affects who I am.

Even though we don’t have the same weight that prophets do…

Even though I don’t have to declare everything I know to the whole world…

I can still do my part to make sure I am sharing God’s words, teachings, and love with everyone I come in contact with!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Watchmen for my own people first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

While I don’t have any insider information for what it is like to be one, I think it’s tempting to think that once a prophet becomes a prophet, they instantly get some direct pipeline to receive messages from God.

But I think it still takes a lot of personal spiritual work to receive revelation, whether it’s for ourselves or whether it’s for a prophet.

And I’ve heard President Nelson speak about some of the times he has chosen to turn the TV off because it drove the spirit away, or how much he reads the scriptures and listens to promptings to make himself available to revelation.

His process probably looks a lot more familiar than we might realize.

One message that he taught about repeatedly last weekend was centered around this idea:

“Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.” – President Nelson

Every topic that President Nelson talks about is tied back to Jesus.

Every time.

Our prophet keeps teaching us about Jesus, how to draw on Jesus’ power, His strength, rest, love, the divinity of the Son…

Another prophet a few thousand years ago talked about this same solemn responsibility that prophets share.

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls… ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence”. (Isaiah 62:6)

The watchmen are not supposed to keep silent about Jesus.

And from what I’ve observed, our current prophet is doing a magnificent job at keeping me focused on the Savior.

I know prophets must feel that weight of that responsibility.

Hoping that as many people that can hear their voice will know He lives, too.

So what has the prophet taught you about Jesus?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Not silent about Jesus 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.

Power.

Power over people.

Power to make them do whatever you want.

Power to give yourself more privilege and leniency.

People wanted power, and they were willing to do whatever it took, including destroying families and friends, to grab it and keep it.

What a contrast to Jesus, right?!

He was the perfect example of humble “servant-leadership” – someone who gains authority by serving others.

I want to follow my Savior, not because I am told to, but because of what he has done for me.

He’s paid the ultimate price for me, and given me the ultimate service.

And that’s why I choose to follow.

Not many of us are seeking high positions of power, but all of us have had some kind of leadership positions.

In church callings, in work, and even as parents.

So what’s our leadership style?

Is it to assume that our title gives us power, or to seek for even more?

Or is it to serve those “beneath” us so much, that we build our own loving authority and influence?

I think of the leaders that I’ve loved and admired in my life.

The teachers who reached out to me and asked how I was doing. The bishops who were willing to help out or speak. The bosses who would help me improve and provide me with resources. The leaders who are always available with a listening ear.

That’s really what makes a good leader – those who see it as a greater service opportunity.

And I look at our beloved prophet.

He’s a natural leader. Not because he was given a title. But because he cares about those whom he serves. He teaches, guides, serves, prays for, and blesses.

That is true leadership.

Seek to serve, and not to gain power.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Servant-leadership first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.