One of the sisters asked me, “What really brings you joy?” ⁣

It took me off-guard more than I expected. ⁣

I couldn’t quite narrow it down to just one answer.

Plus, I wasn’t feeling much joy at the moment.

Paul taught:

“Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.” (2 Corinthians 7:4)

But I wasn’t finding a lot of joy in my tribulation.

I stumbled out an answer to our missionaries and then one of them shared something that totally changed my perspective.

She basically said:

“I find joy in being creative!

“Yes, I love to paint and draw.

“But I also love creating happiness!

“God is so creative, and I find joy when I create with Him!”

We ended up having a beautiful conversation about the connection between joy and creation.

Something totally clicked in my mind.

I have joy when I create a life for myself where I can feel the Spirit and become more Christlike. ⁣

I have joy in my life when I create a marriage and home where we keep the commandments, show love, and have fun!

I have joy when I create breathtaking music that transcends any emotions words can capture. ⁣

I have joy when I create beautiful, strong friendships. ⁣

And ultimately, I have joy when I am going through difficult trials, and yet I still create moments of happiness and peace with my Savior. ⁣

“We can feel joy regardless of what is happening- or not happening- in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him.” -Russell M. Nelson

When we create, I believe we find joy because we partner with Heavenly Father to bring goodness into existence.

So, what brings you joy?

What are you able to create?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Creating with God first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Made the journey to Ohio, leaving their homes and livelihoods after hearing the prophet’s call.

This community was tight-knit. They were staying together.

But where would they live in Ohio? Who had room for them?

Finally… Leman Copley offers his farm.

They all can live together! It will take work to build up their community. But at least, finally, some good news.

They have a home.

And then… Leman returns. Angry. With a friend.

They are all asked to leave. Leave their new home?!

But where could they possibly go now?

Where in the Kirtland area could house all of them?

Newel pleads on behalf of his displaced congregation.

And Joseph receives the word.

“You shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri”. D&C 54:8

Missouri.

No one else had been asked to move there yet.

Joseph had never even been to Missouri.

And yet, the Colesville Saints packed up their belongings and started the trek to Missouri.

The Lord ended His revelation to his sweet children, forced to move yet again, with this loving reminder:

“Be patient in tribulation”. D&C 54:10

Tribulation is a constant.

The Colesville Saints experienced it.

But so do you. And so do I.

What’s your tribulation right now?

It probably feels lighter than the Colesville Saints burdens. But… maybe it doesn’t.

And no matter the load, we are asked to have patience.

To just wait.

To not hasten, or rush.

But to move at the pace that we can, to make the efforts we can make, and to feel patience, turning the timing over to God.

To wait in humility.

The tribulations aren’t the variable. They will come. They already have come.

And our Savior keeps promising us peace as we turn our will over to Him in patience, every single time.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Patience in tribulation first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.