Meeting together as congregations. ⁣

Ward parties. ⁣

Ministering assignments. ⁣

And yet there are so many times when I have felt alone. ⁣

I’ve sat in a sacrament meeting, surrounded by people, and felt so alone. ⁣

I’ve been ready to ask for help when I desperately needed it, but the connection was never made. ⁣

I have felt alone. ⁣

There are times when it’s good to go into problem-solving mode and be the first to reach out and create your own social activities…

But other times,⁣

It’s just good to remember that Christ was alone a lot, too. ⁣

“I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone”. (D&C 76:107)

I know He had great friends. I’m sure He found people whose company He enjoyed.

But there was a lot of stuff that He had to do all on His own. ⁣

Even, at the end, His Father had to withdraw His presence. ⁣

Jesus was completely alone. ⁣

So that I don’t have to ever be that completely alone. ⁣

I’ve slowly learned to make my Savior a real friend. ⁣

I’ve become accustomed to the Spirit’s presence in my life. ⁣

I can always access God’s love, even when I’m not surrounded by people. ⁣

Social activities, good friends, “good wards”, they all come and go. ⁣

But I’ve learned to ALWAYS take comfort in the fact that my Savior knows what it’s like to have choirs of angels singing His praise, AND how to be more alone than I will ever be. ⁣

He is with me. ⁣

My kind, wise Heavenly Friend.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post All alone in a social church  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That’s what I used to think this scripture was referring to:

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” D&C 130:18

Learn as much as you possibly can from school and classes so that you can still be super smart in the next life, too.

As if you aren’t going to be able to learn anything new in the next life.

But that doesn’t make sense, because I sure hope I learn tons more after I leave this life!

So what could this mean?

What about emotional intelligence?

Social intelligence?

Spiritual intelligence?

There are so many different kinds of intelligences.

I think the Lord is telling us to become well-rounded people.

To grow in any area we can.

To figure out how to handle our emotions and not get so angry and reactive.

To figure out how to make friends and reach out to others in ways that connect.

To recognize when the Spirit is prompting us and when prayers have been answered.

To learn about new subjects that are interesting to us and keep us engaged.

To master the right tone while you sing, to get the perfect bake on the cake, to improve your mile time, to finish that difficult project…

Gaining intelligence in any area is encouraged!

And won’t that make the next life so much more amazing?!

An expanse of people who used their time on earth to grow in so many different ways!

And then can you imagine meeting people from other dispensations and exchanging knowledge?

I have absolutely no clue what things will be like, but I imagine something beautiful like this.

Knowing things is always better than not knowing things.

But we also don’t have to know it all. (Because I have no clue how to get a perfect bake on a cake.)

But I believe that any effort we make to improve any area of intelligence will be worth it because it helps us become more like Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Intelligence for everyone! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Meeting together as congregations.

Ward parties.

Ministering assignments.

And yet there are so many times when I have felt alone.

I’ve sat in a sacrament meeting, surrounded by people, and felt so alone.

I’ve been ready to ask for help when I desperately needed it, but the connection was never made.

I have felt alone.

There are times when it’s good to go into problem-solving mode and be the first to reach out and create your own social activities…

But other times,

It’s just good to remember that Christ was alone a lot, too.

I know He had great friends. I’m sure He found people whose company He enjoyed.

But there was a lot of stuff that He had to do all on His own.

Even, at the end, His Father had to withdraw His presence.

Jesus was completely alone.

So that I don’t have to ever be that completely alone.

I’ve slowly learned to make my Savior a real friend.

I’ve become accustomed to the Spirit’s presence in my life.

I can always access God’s love, even when I’m not surrounded by people.

Social activities, good friends, “good wards”, they all come and go.

But I’ve learned to ALWAYS take comfort in the fact that my Savior knows what it’s like to have choirs of angels singing His praise, AND how to be more alone than I will ever be.

He is with me.

My kind, wise Heavenly Friend.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Never really alone first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.