Women who are named and who do things and work to draw closer to the Lord. ⁣

The Old Testament is a unique book of scriptures because we get quite a few beautiful, powerful examples of righteous women. ⁣

I have loved studying Rebekah this week. ⁣

She gives me so many attributes to look up to, and one that I want to mention is found in Genesis 25:22. ⁣

Rebekah was finally pregnant, after years of dealing with infertility. ⁣

But she was pregnant with twins, and she could feel the struggle of these two babies within her womb as she carried them. ⁣

And so what did she do? ⁣

“She went to inquire of the Lord”. (Genesis 25:22)⁣

I love this powerful yet simple reminder from Rebekah that when we have questions, we can take them straight to the Lord. ⁣

I can relate to Rebekah a lot right now. In my personal life, I have some questions about what the future may look like.

We can ask, and then we can receive answers.⁣

It’s a beautiful yet simple pattern.

Have you inquired of the Lord recently?

“Please believe how very much your loving Heavenly Father wants to bless you. But… we must ask for His help.” – J. Devn Cornish

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Rebekah’s example  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Joseph F. Smith actually saw this righteous assembly in a vision. ⁣

Who did he literally see there, being taught by the Savior?⁣

President Smith mentions our Father Adam first. And then…⁣

“Our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.” (D&C 138:39⁣)

Our Mother Eve and her faithful daughters from throughout the ages. ⁣

Mostly nameless. ⁣

Not recognizable to a current prophet looking in. ⁣

We don’t know most of their stories. ⁣

Not often recorded in the scriptures. ⁣

That’s the fate that women have faced for centuries. ⁣

But we can’t deny that faithful and righteous women are represented in heaven, right alongside Isaiah and Malachi and Noah. ⁣

“These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,⁣

“And continue thenceforth their labor as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him.” (D&C 138:51-52⁣)

Our names don’t have to be known in order to receive immortality and eternal life. ⁣

⁣Our stories don’t have to be told in order to receive all the blessings held in store for those who love the Lord.

Life on earth is messy. ⁣

(Although I can’t deny how grateful I am to be a woman alive at a time when I feel blessed with so many more opportunities than previous generations.)⁣

But heaven?⁣

It’s filled with women and men assembled together, side by side, with their focuses on the Savior. ⁣

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Women in heaven  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She made the big decision to be baptized…

But it seemed like as soon as she was baptized, the storms of the adversary blew in with full force.

Hecklers gathered around the baptism site, followed Emma, Joseph, and their friends back into their home, and eventually arrested Joseph.

Emma was afraid.

She prayed with other women for her husband for two days.

Finally, Joseph was released.

The two of them escaped back to Harmony.

She knew their family had felt opposition before, but this was a new level.

She needed comfort because her desire to follow her heart and move forward with joining the Church seemed to add even more struggles.

And so Emma was given a divine revelation.

She was called by her name.

She was told, “Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called.” (D&C 25:3)

God knew how difficult Emma’s past few months had been and how much more difficult they would become.

So He comforted her and promised her blessings.

He also told her she had some duties and responsibilities.

It was the exact divine message that she needed after her trials.

God sees us in our trials.

He always remembers His elect daughters and sons.

He knows when we need comfort.

He knows when we need encouragement.

And He knows when we need to be invited to do more.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post What do you need? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I think one of the reasons is because of the internet.

Because of social media. ⁣

We can choose to produce goodness, to share goodness, and to consume goodness. ⁣

When our house is completely dark at night and I need to take care of a kid, all it takes is one little light to allow me to see. ⁣

By being just a small light, we can make a bigger difference than we could ever imagine. ⁣

I’ve got a testimony of that, for sure. ⁣

Samuel told the people living in Zarahemla that the Lord needed to destroy the entire city because of their wickedness. ⁣

“But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared.” (Helaman 13:14)⁣

One righteous person can keep an entire city from being destroyed. ⁣

And one righteous person can shine a light and share goodness on social media. ⁣

We can choose to post wisely. ⁣

We can choose to avoid division. ⁣

We can check facts. ⁣

We can resist cheap digs. ⁣

We can create beautiful and powerful content. ⁣

And whenever we choose to share our opinions, we try to always be led by the Spirit. ⁣

And that’s how we transcend the darkness and bitterness around us. ⁣

We stand out in different and distinct ways from the rest of the world and our difference can be tenfold (or more) what it could have been even 30 years ago. ⁣

Just one person. One post. One comment. One moment of restraint. ⁣

Can make all the difference between darkness and life-changing light.

“The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.” – President Kimball

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Light of Women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

They had believed in false traditions but then completely converted their hearts and made covenants when they learned about Jesus.

They uprooted their families from where they had probably lived their whole lives and moved to a safer location.

They didn’t give the anti-Christ, Korihor, a second of their time when he came to town.

They took in poor Zoramites who had been kicked out of their city, giving them food and clothing.

They uprooted their lives and moved again to give room for the Nephite armies.

Have you ever wondered WHY the Ammonite sons didn’t have even a shadow of a doubt that their mothers had faith in God?

“And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” (Alma 56:48)

Why would their children believe their moms?

Because these Ammonite women backed up whatever they taught at home with action.

These women weren’t just sitting back, hoping dearly that their kids will gain a testimony.

They lived the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their children couldn’t help but notice.

They kept their covenants with exactness.

They turned away from evil.

They served with their whole hearts.

They sacrificed when needed.

There was no way to doubt their mothers knew that God would provide because they had proved it over and over already.

Sharing our testimonies with others is so powerful.

But backing up what we say with whole-hearted action leaves no room for doubt.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post How could there be no doubt? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

If they are even mentioned at all.

And yet when Mormon wrote out this story about Korihor’s actions, he wrote that Korihor was preaching his carnally-pleasing message, “leading away many women”… and then he added “and also men”. (Alma 30:18)

To me, this JUMPED off the pages as I read. The “men” part sounded like an afterthought. ⁣

Korihor affected women the most. ⁣

He clearly appealed to their pride. ⁣

He caused them to commit sin, thinking of no consequence. ⁣

He turned them against their religious traditions. ⁣

He made them think it was foolish to believe in something they couldn’t see.

It seems like women were extremely susceptible to Korihor’s wicked teachings. ⁣

So, how are we doing today?

Are we falling for Korihor’s sneaky deceptions?

Guess what our prophet has specifically said?

“We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms.” – President Nelson

To recognize the same exact teachings that Korihor shouted, but in our media, news, apps, entertainment, and conversations. ⁣

We’ve been asked to stand up when something that is a societal norm or even a part of “church culture” doesn’t sit right with us.

To receive personal revelation and then lead with confidence and love. ⁣

For me, this leads to some reflection.

Have I let any sins become “acceptable” in my life?

Have I become lax, or indulged in pride? ⁣

How can I better take a stand?⁣

Because we have been promised that in these final days, the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church because of the example of strong, righteous women. ⁣

We need to be seen calling out sin and standing up for what is right. ⁣

Instead of being the first to fall away into temptingly easy and pleasurable paths…⁣

We can use our influence to bring others to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Korihor convinced the women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Joseph F. Smith actually saw this righteous assembly in a vision.

Who did he literally see there, being taught by the Savior?

President Smith mentions our Father Adam first. And then…

“Our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.” D&C 138:39

Our Mother Eve and her faithful daughters from throughout the ages.

Mostly nameless.

Not recognizable to a current prophet looking in.

We don’t know most of their stories.

Not often recorded in the scriptures.

That’s the fate that women have faced for centuries.

But we can’t deny that faithful and righteous women are represented in heaven, right alongside Isaiah and Malachi and Noah.

“These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life,

“And continue thenceforth their labor as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him.” D&C 138:51-52

Our names don’t have to be known in order to receive immortality and eternal life.

Our stories don’t have to be told in order to receive all the blessings held in store for those who love the Lord.

Life on earth is messy.

(Although I can’t deny how grateful I am to be a woman alive at a time when I feel blessed with so many more opportunities than previous generations.)

But heaven?

It’s filled with women and men assembled together, side by side, with their focuses on the Savior.

Artwork: “Faithful Women” by Amber Eldredge

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Women in heaven first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Are the any great resources that you know of? Comment below to let me know!

• Relief Society Page that has links to a bunch of amazing resources
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/work-and-purpose/women-and-priesthood?lang=eng 
• Gospel Topics Essays: Women and the Priesthood
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/joseph-smiths-teachings-about-priesthood-temple-and-women?lang=eng
• Daughters in My Kingdom
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/daughters-in-my-kingdom-the-history-and-work-of-relief-society/blessings-of-the-priesthood-for-all-an-inseparable-connection-with-the-priesthood?lang=eng
• Gospel Topics: Priesthood
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/priesthood?lang=eng
• Handbook Section 3
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/3-priesthood-principles?lang=eng#title_number7
• “Spiritual Treasures” by Pres Nelson Oct 2019
  • https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/36nelson?lang=eng 
• “Women in the Book of Mormon” Presentation with Professor Joseph Spencer

The post Women and the Priesthood Resources first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Why did the Ammonite sons not even have a shadow of a doubt that their mothers had faith in God?

At first, my mind goes to doing EVERYTHING.

I’ve got a two year old and a six month old, and yet I think I’m not doing enough.

Should I be preparing more for our family scripture study?

Do I need to have more elaborate lessons planned for when we have home-church?

Do I need to be likening scripture study stories every time we are playing together?

How can I make sure my kids KNOW that I have a testimony?

And then I picture these Ammonite women.

They had believed in false traditions as Lamanites.

But when they heard about the true gospel of Jesus Christ, they took a covenant to help them stay far away from sin.

They uprooted their families and moved to a safer location.

They didn’t give a second of their time to the anti-Christ Korihor when he came to town.

These women took in poor Zoramites who had been kicked out of their city.

They uprooted their lives and moved again to give room for the Nephite armies to protect them.

They taught their sons and their daughters that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And why would their children believe their mothers?

Because their words were backed up by their actions.

Keeping covenants with exactness, turning away from evil, serving with their whole hearts…

There was no way to doubt that their mothers knew that God would provide, because the proof was there over and over throughout their lives.

Of course, these mothers explicitly taught the gospel to their kids.

But the most important part was that their actions backed up every word they may have said.

So what example am I showing my kids?

How do I treat them when they do something they shouldn’t?

How do I model service and kindness?

How do I emanate joy from staying close to and worthy of the Spirit?

That’s how they’ll know that I know.

Yes, I’ll teach them. We’ll keep up scripture study, and I’ll share lessons.

They’ll know the gospel.

But they’ll know that I know by the way I choose to live my life.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Do they know that I know? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Did anyone else notice this?

Mormon then follows that with, “and also men”. But let’s be real, when was the last time virtually anywhere, but especially the scriptures, where “women” are listed before “men”, if they are mentioned at all?!

To me, this JUMPED off the pages this read-through. The “men” part sounded like an afterthought.

Korihor affected women the most.

He appealed to their pride.

He caused them to commit sin, thinking of no consequence.

He turned them against their religious traditions.

Women were extremely susceptible to Korihor’s wicked teachings.

And now, thousands of years later, I fully believe that women are in the same, powerful position.

Women are influencers, on their families and on the world.

And we’ve been asked to step up and use our influence for good.

We’ve been asked to detect deception in all of its forms. To recognize the same exact teachings that Korihor shouted, but in our media, news, apps, entertainment, and conversations.

We’ve been asked to stand up when something that is a societal norm or even a part of “church culture” doesn’t sit right with us. To receive personal revelation and then lead with confidence and love.

For me, this leads to some reflection. Have I let any sins become “acceptable” in my life? Have I become lax, or indulged in pride?

How can I better take a stand?

Because we have been promised that in these final days, the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church because of the example of strong, righteous women.

We need to be seen calling out sin and standing up for what is right.

Instead of being the first to fall away into temptingly easy and pleasurable paths…

We can use our influence to bring others to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Leading away women first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.