“a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God”. ⁣(D&C 45:66)

Doesn’t that sound great?!⁣

But what does that mean for me right now?⁣

In President Nelson’s signature talk, “Let God Prevail”, he said something that stood out to me when I relistened recently: ⁣

“Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”⁣

I know that my mind usually goes toward missionary work and temple work when I hear that statement. ⁣

But, it recently clicked that this has SO MUCH to do with my family and home RIGHT NOW. ⁣

Anything that I do in order to help my family members make and keep sacred covenants, helps to gather Israel. ⁣

Which means that I’m picturing my home becoming a place exactly like the Lord described in verse 66. ⁣

A land of peace. A city of refuge. A place of safety. ⁣

As I work to create this type of environment in my home (peace, refuge, and safety), I am participating in the gathering of Israel in a truly essential way. ⁣

So that’s what I’m pondering on today. ⁣

How can I create more peace in my home?⁣

Not just “keeping the peace”, but actually creating true, sublime peace. ⁣

How can I ensure my home is a refuge?⁣

Keeping it different from the rest of the world, purposely. ⁣

How can I make my home feel like safety?⁣

Filling it with so much love, that any outside harm doesn’t find a place to stay. ⁣

If you are a parent, teen, young adult, or grandparent creating peace, refuge, and safety in your own home, then you are helping to gather Israel and create Zion.

“One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.” – Richard G. Scott

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The surprising place to build Zion  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Well… I use the phrase “play a soccer game” very, very loosely.

It’s adorable.

No one keeps score, and no team is declared the winner.

It’s a laidback environment focused on giving these cute little kids exposure to the sport.

It made me think of the contrast in emotions to much higher stakes soccer games I had watched before.

We loved attending BYU soccer games when we lived there, but the emotions were so much more dramatic.

The games were long, the skills were insane, and the anticipation was intense.

There was always a winner, and there was always a loser.

In real life, different people, teams, parties, or groups prevail at different times.

In Noah’s time, the flood waters prevailed against the earth.

They prevailed against every person, every creature.

Total defeat.

“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth”. (Genesis 7:19)

But who did not fall to the waters?

Those who were in the boat.

AKA those who were obedient.

“Keep the commandments. In this there is safety.”

When the waters seem like they are going to prevail, we can find safety by clinging to the commandments of our loving God.

Because God will always prevail.

So when we cling to God and His wise and all-knowing commandments, we can prevail, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Safety against the waters  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God”.

Doesn’t that sound great?!

But what does that mean for me right now?

In President Nelson’s signature talk, “Let God Prevail”, he said something that stood out to me when I relistened recently:

“Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”

I know that my mind usually goes toward missionary work and temple work when I hear that statement.

But, it recently clicked that this has SO MUCH to do with my family and home RIGHT NOW.

Anything that I do in order to help my family members make and keep sacred covenants, helps to gather Israel.

Which means that I’m picturing my home becoming a place exactly like the Lord described in verse 66.

A land of peace. A city of refuge. A place of safety.

As I work to create this type of environment in my home (peace, refuge, and safety), I am participating in the gathering of Israel in a truly essential way.

So that’s what I’m pondering on today.

How can I create more peace in my home?

Not just “keeping the peace”, but actually creating true, sublime peace.

How can I ensure my home is a refuge?

Keeping it different from the rest of the world, purposely.

How can I make my home feel like safety?

Filling it with so much love, that any outside harm doesn’t find a place to stay.

If you are a parent, teen, young adult, or grandparent creating peace, refuge, and safety in your own home, then you are helping to gather Israel and create Zion.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace, refuge, and safety first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.