But. . . he could try his best.

And that’s exactly what he was asked to do.

Angel Moroni promised Joseph,

“If I [Joseph] would use all my endeavors to preserve them . . . they should be protected.” (JS-H 1:59)

Joseph had to try his absolute best to keep the plates from being stolen by the many curious neighbors who attempted to view these ancient records multiple times, sometimes even with extreme violence.

As long as Joseph kept his efforts up, God would make sure they were not discovered.

I’ve seen this time and time again in my life.

I make a tiny, imperfect effort to improve my prayers…

And then I can feel God’s strength being added to mine.

I start telling my kids a scripture story, and then someone is distracted because they need a snack.

But I can still feel my Savior’s grace magnifying my efforts.

God didn’t say that He would protect the gold plates if Joseph carelessly left them on his front porch.

And God’s not going to step in and teach my kids what I’m deliberately neglecting to do.

But when we give Him an inch, He takes a mile in the best way possible.

“God magnifies those He calls, even in what may seem to you a small or inconspicuous service.” – President Eyring

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Joseph wasn’t powerful enough first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

And I ended up going pretty far!

I honestly learned a lot in the process of just competing.

I learned the best structure for captivating speeches.

I knew to start with an interesting hook.

To switch my tone of voice often.

To balance lighter anecdotes with heavy, straightforward points. ⁣

And then I got a formal teaching degree.

And now I truly enjoy giving talks in church and teaching lessons.

I feel pretty confident in “how” to do it, at least in the way it is formally taught.

But that doesn’t make me more qualified to teach a Sunday School lesson than anyone else.

Paul said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4

⁣in other words, the best way to preach is not the way that professionals can teach us about how to teach.

The best way to teach is to teach WITH THE SPIRIT.

Isn’t it cool that everyone, from prophets to members of our congregation, doesn’t need any formal “speech” training to change lives through the Spirit?

We don’t pick our local bishop based on who gives the best sermons.

We don’t have a competition for who is good enough to speak at General Conference.

Because we don’t NEED someone who is entertaining or well-educated in order to learn about Jesus.

The professional training doesn’t qualify anyone for the work.

What matters is whether or not we teach and preach and testify WITH THE SPIRIT.

So the next time you are nervous to teach a lesson, bear your testimony, or share that spiritual thought, trust that God can make amazing things happen through humble people who are willing to access the Spirit of God in their lives.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Am I a good speaker? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Her response, and I quote, was: “No thank you, I’m just going to watch some TV.”

I mean, points for politeness, right??

I mixed up the ingredients and put the pan in the oven.

When I took the pan out, Quin came running to my side. “I want to eat them! I want to eat them!”

I had to laugh as the story of the Little Red Hen popped into my head.

Remember that classic?

Where the little red hen decides to make some bread, but all her barnyard friends say “Not I” when she asks for help?!

And then as soon as the bread is finished and the smell fills the air, she’s got a long line of people who would like to help eat that bread.

Now, as a mom of a 3 year old, I certainly let Quin eat some of the brownies that she had not helped mix at all.

But in D&C 78:7, the Lord reminded many of the church leaders:

“If you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.”

In other words, if we want the reward, we need to put in the work.

Section 78 was received less than a month after that groundbreaking Section 76 vision where Joseph and Sidney learned about the celestial kingdom, and what it would be like there.

I’m gonna bet that there were some saints who were pretty excited for the celestial kingdom, now that they knew it existed, and talked about it a lot.

And so I can see the Lord needing to give some gentle reminders to the saints and their leaders.

We can’t just dream of our mansions above.

Instead, we have to wake up, and do something good.

We need to put in the celestial work.

So what celestial work can you do today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The little red hen and celestial work first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.