Jarom prophesied.

Jarom received revelations.

He may have even had an amazing conversion story, gave a powerful sermon, or had a unique life story.

And yet, when it was his turn to write on the plates, Jarom wrote:

“It must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written?”(Jarom 1:2)

Now, really, I don’t want to pass judgment on Jarom. It’s possible that he was asked to only write a little. And clearly God made it work with whatever Jarom did or didn’t do.

But his question of “What could I write more than my fathers have written?” Is so intriguing to me!

Where am I selling myself short?

Do I think other people have more important things to say than I do?

And does believing that others are better than I am limit what I do?

I matter!

I know that Jesus loves me and cares about my experiences.

I don’t think He would want me NOT to talk about something cool I learned in the scriptures just because someone else had said something like it before.

I don’t think He would want me to stay silent when I feel I should bear my testimony just because I have nothing unique to say.

I don’t think He would want me to not teach my children the gospel because I don’t feel I know it well enough.

“Our clumsy efforts can lead to miracles.” – Elder Vern P. Stanfill

I wonder what Jarom could have shared if we got to learn more about his life, his prophecies, his difficult moments, his conversion, his joy…

Jarom didn’t think he could add anything that Nephi and Jacob hadn’t already said.

But I believe we’ve all got something.

We might not realize it, but our unique little experiences and perspectives matter.

And when we share them with others, it might be exactly the thing that connects with their soul, too!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post We’ve all got something to share  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We had a stake conference probably two years ago that blew my mind.

The evening adult session was all about missionary work— but with a completely new perspective that has stuck with me for a while.

One speaker kept coming back to this point:

We aren’t the ones converting people to the gospel.

There are so many prophesies and so many scriptures that are similar to what we find in D&C 135:7:

“The religion of Jesus Christ… will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations”.

There are SO MANY people out there who have willing and honest hearts, who the Spirit is working with to mold and prepare.

They are ready to hear and receive.

They are ready to completely change their lives and make eternal covenants with God.

We have such a small but important role in this entire process (because it’s really mostly between that individual and God).

We need to be examples, make friends, show love, and then extend simple but powerful invitations, as prompted by the Spirit.

That’s it.

We just need to introduce as many people as we can to what truth and godly power really mean, and the Spirit will take care of the rest— quickly carrying it unto the hearts of those who have already been prepared.

Missionary work isn’t about tons of pressure to be the perfect example, inviting to the exact right event, and then teaching every aspect of the gospel.

Isn’t that refreshing?

That’s how I’ve felt ever since I heard that message.

I don’t have to do it all. No one has to do it all.

We don’t even have to do that much.

The Gathering of Israel is going to happen, and the hearts of God’s children are being prepared throughout the world.

And all we’ve been asked to do is to love and invite, so that the Spirit can do what He does best:

Convert.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The best missionary is the Spirit first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Looking back at every podcast episode, every Instagram post, every email on my email list…

I’ve shared hundreds and hundreds of personal stories just over the past 2.5 years.

But for this post, I’m not going to.

Because I want you to know that for every story I share, there are stories that I purposefully do not share.

In D&C 84:73, the Lord reminds the church, and specifically the apostles, that:

“They shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation.”

God gives us sweet, spiritual experiences that are for our own personal benefit.

Sometimes, we share those experiences with others to help lift and inspire and connect.

But there are other experiences that are just for us.

They are purely to help strengthen our own testimony and to help us gain salvation.

For me? I just know.

There are some experiences that I know will make cute, or funny, or poignant spiritual messages to share with others.

And there are other experiences that I just know I want to keep to myself.

They are either difficult to describe, too nuanced to write down, too personal on nature, or even, on occasion, too miraculous to speak.

It can be a little strange when everyone starts sharing stories, and you know that your story would fit right in, but you just know that’s it a little too sacred to share.

It’s okay.

Not everything needs to be shared.

It’s okay to keep some things in your heart.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No personal story first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We watch all the movies, all the TV shows… we love it.

So let’s talk about Spider-Man.

Spider-Man has a classic line that is originally attributed to his uncle in the original comic books.

That line is: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Spider-Man could have discovered his powers, realized what he could do, and then chosen to sweep it under the rug.

I mean, does he really have to stop what he’s doing everytime there’s a distress call in his neighborhood? (Or the galaxy?)

He’s got stuff to do, too!

It could be easy to ignore what he had to blend in with everyone else and try to live a normal life.

Life without his powers would be much simpler for young Peter.

But instead, he was reminded that with this great power, he can choose to take great responsibility, too.

Because other people’s lives would be much worse off if he chose to do nothing.

If he could save people’s lives, then his morals, guided by his uncle’s advice, led him to believe that he needed to help.

In D&C 82:3, the Lord gently reminds Joseph and the other leaders in Missouri that:

“Unto whom much is given much is required.”

If you have a testimony of Jesus Christ.

If you’ve made covenants in the holy temple

If you know of prophets and scriptures that have made your life easier…

Then you have been given a whole lot.

It can be tempting to want to hide away from any consequences of that, though.

Can’t I just have an awesome, comfortable life, and everyone else can go on their own journey?

The Lord teaches us that that’s not the way He’d like it to go.

If we’ve been given a lot, then there is a lot required of us.

Now, I don’t think we have to physically risk our lives every day.

But we are asked to risk our comfortable environments to repent, to share the good news with others, and to serve as He would serve.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Lessons from Spider-Man first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.