Like, I don’t ever re-read.

Once I’ve read a book, know the story, learned about the topic, or discovered the secrets, I find it so boring to go through again!

Truly no offense meant to those of you who are avid re-readers (my husband included, who I think is almost constantly re-reading a Harry Potter book).

But, obviously, the scriptures are different to me. ⁣

I could (and do) read those books over and over and over again.

We read that, “. . . the word of God. . . is quick and powerful.” (Helaman 3:29)

If you look up some different translations for the words “quick” and “powerful,” you get:

Alive

Active

Living

Effective

Aren’t those amazing words?

⁣⁣The word of God is alive in the scriptures.⁣

And that’s why I don’t “get bored” reading the scriptures over and over again.

It’s because these words are alive, powerful, and effective, as long as I am inviting the Spirit to be with me as I read.

When the Spirit is with me, the scriptures teach my heart the words that I actually need to know.

I know, I know, the words themselves don’t change.

But each time I read the same story, a different detail might pop out.

Or a random phrase might make a strong impression.

Or as I’m pondering the familiar lesson, my mind is brought to an application that I need to know for my current circumstance.

The word of God is quick, powerful, alive, active, living, and effective.

And the more I read and study with real intent, the more I discover the messages that are meant for me from a loving Heavenly Father.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I don’t like to re-read books first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I was 14 years old.

It was summertime.

I went to read my scriptures for a church assignment I needed to complete. ⁣(Personal Progress, anyone?!)

The assignment said to read Mosiah 4:9-12 and journal something.

I wouldn’t say I didn’t believe in God or Jesus at this time…

But I was nonchalant about my testimony.

I had never really thought about it seriously.

Church was just a bunch of rules.

But I opened up my black leather scriptures to Mosiah 4:9 and started reading:

“Believe in God.”

And suddenly, I did.

I kept reading:

“. . . believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.”

It was an overwhelming experience!

I felt like my heart would beat out of my burning chest.

I didn’t want the feeling to ever leave me!

This church wasn’t just a bunch of rules, this was all about a loving God and building a relationship with Him.

I have believed ever since that day in the most sincere and authentic ways I can.

I’ve had to do a lot to nurture and grow my testimony.

I’ve had to figure out how the Spirit speaks to me in much more subtle ways most of the time, too.

But it all started with Mosiah 4:9.

What verse changed your life?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The verse that changed my life  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The truth is…

I have no clue which scripture it was.

I know that I was reading a specific verse when I got an answer to resign from teaching.

But I’ve never been able to find that specific verse again.

⁣I KNOW that the words of Christ found in the scriptures and through the words of His prophets can tell me everything.

Literally everything. ⁣

⁣But how is this possible?⁣

⁣There aren’t any stories in the scriptures about deciding to be a stay-at-home mom. There aren’t any stories about deciding where to move with your family when you have many great options. There aren’t any stories about combating loneliness or laziness in the way that I encounter them. ⁣

So where am I getting these very real answers to these very real questions in my life? ⁣

⁣”The power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” (2 Nephi 33:1⁣)

⁣Nephi didn’t know what business decisions I would need to make when he was writing.

But Heavenly Father, my Savior, and the Holy Ghost do. ⁣

⁣And the Spirit’s purpose is to bring Their personalized message straight to me. ⁣

⁣I just have to hold up my end: ⁣

⁣-I read the scriptures. With real intent. As consistently as possible. ⁣

-I do things to invite the Spirit. Be as worthy as I can. Listen for Him. ⁣

⁣And when I do these things, a powerful communication channel is opened. ⁣

⁣It doesn’t mean that I get the answer that I think I want straight away.⁣

⁣Many times, I read scriptures and get the answers: Not yet. You need more time. Just wait. ⁣

⁣Other times, I get small promptings: Communicate with someone. Go to the temple. Follow this prophet’s example from a completely different situation. ⁣

⁣And then other times, the heavens are opened. ⁣

⁣The scriptures are not confined by their words. ⁣

⁣When we read them WITH the spirit, there is no stopping the heavenly communication that can happen.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No scriptures about quitting  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

1) They started gripping their crayons differently.

2) They picked up a play purse and told me they were “Ready to go to the temple!”

3) They picked up a large rectangular block and told me they were texting.

Now what do all three of these things have in common?

My child was copying something they had just seen me do. ⁣

Jesus invites us, “. . . wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.” (2 Nephi 31:12)

The cool thing is that we don’t have to guess what Jesus would do.

We don’t have to guess because we can see it in the scriptures.

We can learn through His prophets.

We can be shown by the Spirit.

Kids tend to emulate the adults they are around the most.

So if I want to start emulating my Savior even more, I’ve got to “hang out” with Him more often!

I have to be in the scriptures.

I should be learning from others who know Him.

I need to be inviting the Spirit into my life.

Because when I am around Jesus more, it’s natural to want to do what He does.

I’ll become more like Jesus as I spend more time with Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Spending more time with Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Just imagine.

Imagine you had to send many children to the earth.

And these children wouldn’t remember anything.

But you would hope they would still choose to be good people and learn about truth. 

Doesn’t that seem like an overwhelming task?!

How could these children ever possibly learn truth and return to heaven?!

Well… think about everything our Heavenly Father has given us to succeed.

He gave us scriptures filled with doctrine and faith-filled stories.

He gave us prophets and apostles to spread inspired messages.

We are born into families.

He gave us the gift of the Holy Ghost to be guided, comforted, and taught. . .

I could go on forever.

He has given us SO. MUCH. HELP.

And yet, it’s not enough for some.

And God weeps in heaven, “What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?” (2 Nephi 15:4)

God has given us what He can without completely removing the element of faith.

And while some people completely overlook the help…

Are we unintentionally leaving some of His divine help on the table?

Is He looking at us having a terribly frustrating day, hoping that we will open the scriptures that evening so He can send us a message of comfort through His word?

Let’s dive in.

Let’s immerse ourselves in all the resources, help, and support He has provided.

He’s done more than His fair share of His part.

It’s our time to show we can do ours.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post What more could He have done? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Like… a lot.

It’s easy to see this as a “fail”.

And in fact, I used to get really upset with myself when I would do that.

Couldn’t I just stay awake for the scriptures?!

But guess what I think now?

Falling asleep while reading your scriptures is infinitely better than not opening them at all.

Infinitely.

The Lord loves effort.

And the Lord loves the effort we put into keeping His commandments and drawing closer to Him.

John said of those who attempted to read:

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” (Revelation 1:3)

Are you not doing your best “studying” every time you open your scriptures?

Do you ever fall asleep when you should be reading?

It’s okay!

I mean, we can always find ways to improve and often the Spirit can help us discover ways to make our scripture study a little more effective each time.

I’m not going to give up or become complacent.

But I also know that I am blessed for any effort I make just to read.

Even when I am utterly exhausted.

The Lord is filled with mercy and love, and when we give Him an inch, He blesses us with a mile in the best way possible!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Effort for reading scriptures first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’m a total nerd and LOVE getting “input” as much as possible. ⁣

Podcasts, books, Conference talks, articles, conversations with others…⁣

I try to fill my life with as much INPUT as I can, because I truly love learning! ⁣

I’m that slightly obnoxious friend that usually says, “Oh, I read something about that, and I learned…”

And I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.

Learning is so fun.

And a lot of learning has been essential to my growth and development.

BUT⁣

I have to evaluate myself from time to time. ⁣

Is all that INPUT actually making my OUTPUT better? ⁣

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

Especially from a gospel standpoint. ⁣

Are all the Conference talks and scriptures and podcasts that I’m listening to actually impacting how I behave and interact with others?⁣

OR am I just tricking myself into thinking that “learning” how to be more Christlike and compassionate is the same thing as actually BECOMING more Christlike and compassionate? ⁣

I’m not knocking down learning about the gospel.

I literally love it!

Conferences, church lessons, Instagram accounts, books, scriptures…⁣

Absolutely essential and absolutely enriching.

But I can’t fool myself that I have become a better person solely because I have great INPUT. ⁣

“If you want to know anything, you will have to do something.” -Rebecca L. Craven

Did the last Conference talk I listen to actually change how I talk to my family members?

Have the scriptures actually made a difference in how I live? ⁣

Did hearing that person’s story on a podcast make me more compassionate toward someone in my own ward experiencing the same thing?

Do my sources of INPUT lead me to have greater OUTPUT, or am I being deceived into feeling content with only the first half?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Does my output reflect my input? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Growing up, I would hear people giving talks in church and casually throw in references to “Alma and Amulek” or “the city of Enoch”.⁣

I was always so impressed!

Because I always forgot who these people were until I heard a lesson on them. ⁣

I read my scriptures virtually every day starting at age 12…

And I still felt like I didn’t understand them super well. ⁣

So I was determined to serve a mission, because that is where everyone seemed to learn their scriptures so well!

Perfect. Problem solved.

Well guess who didn’t serve a mission?

This girl. ⁣

I still kept reading every day, but I felt like my opportunity to really “know” them was gone. ⁣

Fast forward some more years and I’ve started to realize…

I’ve become someone who knows the scriptures pretty well!

I can remember stories, make connections, refer to names of people casually. ⁣

When did this happen?! How?!

There was no magical mission to force me to learn the scriptures! ⁣

Paul teaches it well here:

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

I have known the scriptures since I was a child. ⁣

I have been learning them my whole life. ⁣

And oh my goodness I still have a lot to learn.

This will be a lifelong process. ⁣

But I’ve FINALLY read them enough times that I’m starting to put everything together in my mind and truly make sense of the stories.

And even more important than remembering all the “stuff”?

Internalizing the lessons that they teach and accessing the Spirit’s promptings

CONSISTENCY.

That’s the real magic answer. ⁣

Of course we aren’t going to see major results from scripture study after one day. Or one week. Or honestly, one year. ⁣

It’s the repetition.

It’s the ability to grow and mature and then read them again so we can actually learn the lessons we need. ⁣

I’m grateful for the scriptures we have and for the blessing they are to me when I give my best CONSISTENT effort.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I wanted to learn the scriptures first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Suddenly, the resurrected Savior approached them…

But their eyes were not able to recognize Him.

These disciples were sad.

They explained to the disguised Christ that their friend, Jesus, had been a mighty prophet.

But today had been the third day since His crucifixion, and He hadn’t returned yet. ⁣

After some more conversation, they arrived at their dwelling.

These disciples pleaded gently with the disguised Jesus:

“Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.” (Luke 24:29)

They didn’t exactly know who this man was who had walked with them.

But He had read the scriptures to them and invited the Spirit.

I can imagine them thinking that if this person did anything to bring them closer to the Spirit, they wanted Him to stick around.

What journey have you been walking on recently?

Maybe you are learning to love the scriptures more.

Maybe you want more spiritual experiences.

Maybe you are looking to grow your faith.

No matter your path, Jesus is there walking with you.

EVEN when you don’t realize it.

It’s tough to see and recognize Him when our lives are filled with all sorts of mortal distractions.

Sadness.

Frustration.

But Jesus is with us!

And Jesus will stay with us on our path in the future, too, as we invite the Spirit to abide with us just a little bit longer.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Abide with us! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

So I read it again, trying to make sure my brain was engaged.

I read it a couple more times, and realized I still didn’t fully understand what I was reading.

I get confused by the scriptures plenty of times (which is why I love digging into the research to try and learn— even though it takes a long time).

But when I don’t have the time to research and study, I am often confused by these ancient books of scriptures that were written in different generations, in different cultures, and that have often been through many translations, too.

So why would we be asked to read and study the scriptures if it can be so difficult sometimes?

Even as I read through those confusing verses recently, I had a phrase pop out to me that taught me a little gospel truth.

I know that God always prepares a way for us to keep His commandments!

Even when I’ve read through confusing scriptures…

When I haven’t understood the context…

When I feel like I wouldn’t even pass a basic comprehension test…

I’ve had phrases pop out to me that make sense and teach me a powerful personal lesson.

I’ve received personal revelation.

I’ve felt the Spirit.

When the people of Jerusalem, after they had been able to rebuild and fortify their temple, all gathered together to hear Ezra read them the scriptures, it says that the scriptures were read in a holy way, and “caused them to understand the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8).

These people had spoken different languages, completely forgotten what had been written down, and had been exposed to other cultures and religious practices.

And yet the Spirit caused them to understand the reading.

When we have the Spirit with us, even difficult passages of scriptures can bring us the answers we need.

Being in the scriptures is so so SO essential.

Feeling overwhelmed or confused? There’s lots of ways to learn more confidence in the scriptures.

But nothing can beat having the Spirit as a companion. The understanding that you NEED in your life is always available in the scriptures when the Spirit is present.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Confusing scriptures and spiritual understanding  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.