There’s always something I should be doing, right?⁣

I remember, after being in school for years, going straight to BYU, immediately getting a teaching job and teaching for 4 years, and then quitting…⁣

I suddenly had a newborn to care for, and nothing else to do. ⁣

Sometimes, the newborn took a lot of attention. ⁣

But other times, the newborn didn’t need anything while she napped for a long time, and I felt like there wasn’t anything for me to do. ⁣

No homework to finish, no lesson plans to write, no papers to grade… Just, nothing. ⁣

And I felt so guilty just doing nothing. ⁣

Was I supposed to organize my kitchen now? Redo the laundry room? Prep dinners? Scrub a toilet?⁣

I now look back and think: “Oh, I wish I would have enjoyed that more and just relaxed, guilt free!”⁣

But I still struggle with thinking that the only reason I can truly relax is because I don’t have anything on my to-do list. ⁣

But what happened during the Creation?⁣

“And the Gods concluded upon the seventh time, because that on the seventh time they would rest from all their works which they (the Gods) counseled among themselves to form; and sanctified it.” (Abraham 5:3)⁣

The day of rest was PLANNED. ⁣

It wasn’t just “Wow, we totally finished everything ahead of schedule! I guess we can take a day off to do nothing, since there isn’t anything else important to do!”⁣

It was deliberate— a day set aside for the ESSENTIAL purpose of rest. ⁣

What a concept. ⁣

So, if you are like me, and feel that weight of guilt that you always need to be doing something, let’s take a hint from the Lord God’s example: ⁣

Plan for rest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Plan for rest  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She had a second home in Providence, was unmarried, enjoyed a lot of social clout, and earned quite a bit of wealth by her 40s.⁣

She obtained a copy of the “Mormon Bible” and read it, but was pretty indifferent to it. ⁣

Until one night, as she prayed, she had a “vision of the Book of Mormon”, and she felt she should ask if it was true scripture.⁣

She immediately received her answer. ⁣⁣

She traveled to Ohio to be baptized, and then returned to Boston to help missionaries establish a branch of the church. ⁣

About a year later, she said goodbye to Boston for good and headed to Ohio. ⁣

She freely gave of all her money to the church, and her giant $1400 contribution directly helped Joseph purchase land for the upcoming Kirtland temple. ⁣

And then Vienna was asked to move to Missouri. ⁣

“It is meet in mine eyes that she should go up unto the land of Zion, and receive an inheritance…⁣

“That she may settle down in peace inasmuch as she is faithful”. D&C 90:30-31⁣

Peace, rest, and a land of inheritance was being promised to her. ⁣

Literally a month later, mobs attacked the printing press in Missouri, scattering manuscript pages and tarring and feathering the Bishop. ⁣

Vienna knelt in the night, gathering as many pages of the Book of Commandments as she could. ⁣

When the saints finally arrived in Nauvoo and started to build up the great city, Vienna was present when the very first baptisms for the dead were performed. ⁣

She received her own endowment in the Nauvoo temple before being forced out yet again. ⁣

Where was her peace? Her rest? Her inheritance? Her blessing for consecrating her money to the Lord?⁣

She arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 and was given a city lot. ⁣

She called that her “inheritance” for the remainder of her 40 years left on earth. ⁣

She was a powerful scriptorian, fiercely independent, and self-sufficient. She loved the temple, she loved the prophet, and she had faith in Jesus Christ. ⁣

She died at the age of 96 and others said she was “strong and full of faith in the principles of the gospel”. ⁣

There is true power in faith, and Vienna Jaques lived that.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A case study on Vienna first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Who’s with me?⁣

Having a really solid night’s sleep is my favorite kind of rest. ⁣

But I’m pretty shocked at how often I DON’T feel rejuvenated after taking a “rest”. ⁣

I lounge on my phone for a while, or turn on a show…⁣

But afterwards, the tough demand of life don’t really seem any more appealing. ⁣

I am SO glad that the Lord has a much better definition of rest. ⁣

Here’s what He taught in D&C 84:24. ⁣

He starts by talking about unrighteous people, but He teaches an important truth in it: ⁣

“They hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.”⁣

Did you catch that last line? ⁣

WHICH REST IS THE FULNESS OF HIS GLORY. ⁣

True rest is being in the presence of God. ⁣

Isn’t that amazing? ⁣

True rest, in the ways our souls really crave it, isn’t reading that book. It isn’t that kid-free day. It isn’t quitting that job. ⁣

Don’t get me wrong, those can feel great and be rejuvenating. ⁣(Do it!!!)

But there’s a higher and a holier way to rest. ⁣⁣

And that is by entering into the presence of God. ⁣

I can’t currently fully enter into God’s presence on a daily basis. ⁣

But I can do some things that get me close. ⁣

Some things that get me symbolically there. ⁣

Some things that bring God’s spirit into my life so that I am still in the presence of a member of the Godhead, who are one in purpose. ⁣

I can take a rest however I want, and I love resting with fun and enjoyable things. ⁣

But when I know that my soul needs a rest,

When I need solace and comfort and peace to my spirit,

Then I know it only truly comes by getting as close as I can to being in the presence of God. ⁣

How do you give your spirit rest?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I need some rest!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Growing up in Northern California, I felt like we were always taking road trips.

Whether it was across Nevada to visit family, down south to Disneyland, or just to the mountains.

I learned from a young age that I like to just stare out the window of a car.

My mom would get really fun activities for my sisters and me…

But I would still find myself spending half the day just staring out my window, thinking.

Does this make me weird?

Probably.

But I love just letting my mind wander!

My life is much busier now, so it takes a lot more effort to find time to be still and think.

But making time to ponder has completely transformed my relationship with God.

Moroni counsels us to, “. . . receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.” (Moroni 10:3)

All of my moments of transformation have come from letting my mind think on things.

When I’ve made big decisions, when I’ve had greater resolve to keep a commandment, when I’ve received impressions of which relationships to pursue and which to let go, and even when I’ve grown my testimony…

I’ve been pondering.

Because when I stop everything and let my mind run free, I find that God speaks.

“Being still is an act of faith and requires effort.” – L. Todd Budge

At the busiest time of year, how can you show an act of faith and WORK to stand still and ponder on the simple truths of the doctrine of Christ?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Staring out a window first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

(Okay, maybe keep a few of those books around, too…)⁣

You know what I’ve learned about Alma? ⁣

He seems to have established his personal boundaries pretty well. ⁣

He had two giant jobs (chief judge and high priest).

It was causing him a lot of sorrow, so he gave up the chief judge position. ⁣

And then, after teaching the saints in Gideon, “he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.” (Alma 8:1)⁣

He needed to go home and rest – so he did! ⁣

He knew that he couldn’t keep going from city to city without a break.

So he went home. ⁣

He used his down time to rest and refresh himself, and then he got back to work the next year as he traveled to Melek and Ammonihah. ⁣

That’s a delicate balance in the self-care realm, right? ⁣

To know when to rest, and to know when to get back to work. ⁣

I most certainly do not have this balance down perfectly. But I think I’m improving each day. ⁣

We can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we are too tired. ⁣

And we also can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we get lost in our relaxation. ⁣

The cool part?

I have learned that Heavenly Father wants to help us find this balance. ⁣

I’m sure Alma prayed as he traveled back home to rest, and I’m sure he prayed for guidance when he knew it was time to continue his high priest duties. ⁣

So I’m trying better to include my Heavenly Father in my self-care habits – to know when I’m over-indulging, and to know when I’m over-stretched. ⁣

Alma knew how to say “no” and how to rest when he needed it.

And I can learn how to set those necessary and divine boundaries, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Alma’s boundaries first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

As I rushed to get ready one morning, everything piled together in my mind.

The list of everything I had to do. The emotions people around me were feeling. The feeling that I would not make it through the day.

This scripture that we’ve been studying this week came to my mind:

“And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs”. (Mosiah 24:14)

⁣I decided that morning to test it.

I knew I still needed to face my problems that day.

But could He really take the FEELING of the burden away without actually solving any of my problems?

I closed my eyes and pictured myself carrying the burdens that seemed to be weighing me down.

And I pictured myself waking humbly up to my Savior…

And setting it all down at His feet.

I said, “I know everything I need to do and manage and handle today.

“But I’m going to leave the feeling of being burdened at your feet.”

I pictured myself walking away, and I took a deep breath.

I felt lighter.

Like, literally, I felt like an actual physical load had been taken off my back.

I said a prayer of gratitude and went on with my day.

My list didn’t change that day, but I was SHOCKED at the miracles that kept piling up.

Like, I said I was going to test this theory with my Savior, and it’s like He was saying “Prove me herewith”.

I can’t list or share all the miracles, but I’ll just say that ONE of them was my ministering sister texting me and telling me that she had “randomly” ordered pizza to be delivered to my home that night.

I floated through that difficult day.

Jesus really means what He says.

If we, who are heavy laden, come to Jesus and really set the weighty, overwhelming feelings down at His feet, He will give us rest.

Not rest in the way you may think or want.

(I’m still hoping I can find time to take a nap in the next couple days, but it’s not looking hopeful…)

But that rest for the soul was all that I really needed.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post He truly gives rest first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Every few months, I have a crazy work week where I need to use every single spare minute working.

And that includes sacrificing a lot of sleep.

Last week was one of those weeks.

I usually dread them.

But last week, I tried something different.

I tried intentionally inviting Jesus’ “rest” into my life at the same exact time that I was getting very little physical rest.

And it was…

Life-changing.

I got all my work done, as I usually do during that crazy week.

But I felt calm. I found more creative ways than usual to get work done. My kids napped more often. My husband was able to support me even more than usual.

I felt… peace.

The work wasn’t gone.

But I felt this joy and relief that came WHILE I was still working and staying up late.

I knew we would be studying this scripture this week, so I kept focusing on it, each time learning something new:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Do you labor?

Are you heavy laden with burdens?

Then learn of Jesus.

Read His teachings. Immerse yourself in the scriptures. Remember Him as constantly as your mortal mind can handle.

Now, a crazy work week is more of a trivial example.

I’ve had many more times in my life where the burdens have felt like too much, and I had no guarantee that they’d be over in a week.

Some are still going on right now.

But my little case study last week has given me greater resolve:

Jesus won’t always take away our burdens.

But He will give us relief. He will give us peace and joy in unexpected ways.

He can give us rest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Finding rest, even with no sleep first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

There’s always something I should be doing, right?

I remember, after being in school for years, going straight to BYU, immediately getting a teaching job and teaching for 4 years, and then quitting…

I suddenly had a newborn to care for, and nothing else to do.

Sometimes, the newborn took a lot of attention.

But other times, the newborn didn’t need anything while she napped for a long time, and I felt like there wasn’t anything for me to do.

No homework to finish, no lesson plans to write, no papers to grade… Just, nothing.

And I felt so guilty just doing nothing.

Was I supposed to organize my kitchen now? Redo the laundry room? Prep dinners? Scrub a toilet?

I now look back and think: “Oh, I wish I would have enjoyed that more and just relaxed, guilt free!”

But I still struggle with thinking that the only reason I can truly relax is because I don’t have anything on my to-do list.

But what happened during the creation?

“And the Gods concluded upon the seventh time, because that on the seventh time they would rest from all their works which they (the Gods) counseled among themselves to form; and sanctified it.” (Abraham 5:3)

The day of rest was PLANNED.

It wasn’t just “Wow, we totally finished everything ahead of schedule! I guess we can take a day off to do nothing, since there isn’t anything else important to do!”

It was deliberate— a day set aside for the ESSENTIAL purpose of rest.

What a concept.

So, if you are like me, and feel that weight of guilt that you always need to be doing something, let’s take a hint from the Lord God’s example:

Plan for rest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Planning for rest first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Who’s with me?

Having a really solid night’s sleep is my favorite kind of rest.

But I’m pretty shocked at how often I DON’T feel rejuvenated after taking a “rest”.

I lounge on my phone for a while, or turn on a show…

But afterwards, doing some household chores or getting work done doesn’t seem any more appealing.

I am SO glad that the Lord has a much better definition of rest.

Here’s what He taught in D&C 84:24.

He starts by talking about unrighteous people, but He teaches an important truth in it:

“They hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.”

Did you catch that last line?

WHICH REST IS THE FULNESS OF HIS GLORY.

True rest is being in the presence of God.

Isn’t that amazing?

True rest, in the ways our souls really crave it, isn’t reading that book. It isn’t that kid-free day. It isn’t quitting that job.

Don’t get me wrong, those can feel great and be rejuvenating.

But there’s a higher and a holier way to rest.

And that is by entering into the presence of God.

I can’t currently fully enter into God’s presence on a daily basis.

But I can do some things that get me close.

Some things that get me symbolically there.

Some things that bring God’s spirit into my life so that I am still in the presence of a member of the Godhead, who are one in purpose.

I can take a rest however I want, and I love resting with fun and enjoyable things.

But when I know that my soul needs a rest.

When I need solace and comfort and peace to my spirit.

Then I know that only truly comes by getting as close as I can to being in the presence of God.

How do you give your spirit rest?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Take a rest! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

You know what I’ve learned about Alma?

He seems to have established his personal boundaries pretty well.

He had two giant jobs (chief judge and high priest). It was causing him a lot of sorrow, so he gave up the chief judge position.

And then, after teaching the saints in Gideon, “he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.” (Alma 8:1)

He needed to go home and rest – so he did!

He knew that he couldn’t keep going from city to city without a break. Other people had done it, but he knew that HE could not handle that without resting.

So he went home.

He used his down time to rest and refresh himself, and then he got back to work the next year as he traveled to Melek and Ammonihah.

That’s a delicate balance in the self-care realm, right?

To know when to rest, and to know when to get back to work.

I most certainly do not have this balance down perfectly. But I think I’m improving each day.

We can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we are too tired.

And we also can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we get lost in our relaxation.

The cool part? I guarantee Heavenly Father wants to help us find this balance.

I’m sure Alma prayed as he traveled back home to rest, and I’m sure he prayed for guidance when he knew it was time to continue his high priest duties.

So I’m trying better to include my Heavenly Father in my self-care habits – to know when I’m over-indulging, and to know when I’m over-stretched.

Alma knew how to say “no” and how to rest when he needed it – and I can learn how to set those necessary and divine boundaries, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Self-care guru Alma first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.