I’ve wondered a lot this week about why Enoch was the guy who created this literal Zion city here on earth. ⁣

There have been so many mighty prophets and righteous people beforehand and since, and I don’t know that Enoch was objectively THE most righteous. ⁣

But what was his special gift, his spiritual superpower that made him perfect for this particular role of creating a Zion community?⁣

And the word COMPASSION couldn’t help but jump out as I read Moses 7. ⁣

This guy wept when he learned of terrible destruction that would happen.

He wept when he saw the Savior crucified. ⁣

He wept when he saw latter-day destruction. ⁣

But he didn’t just cry and feel sad about these things:⁣

He always tried to do something about it. ⁣

He saw Noah’s flood?⁣

⁣Enoch wept, and he also pled with the Lord to make a covenant to bless Noah’s seed who would remain on earth.

He saw even more destruction?⁣

Enoch wept and asked the Lord when our poor Mother Earth would get relief from having to bear the pains of mankind. ⁣

He saw more wickedness and the Savior being slain? ⁣

Enoch asked if the Lord would come again to bring peace. ⁣

What a fantastic example of compassion, right?!⁣

He saw the suffering of others, whether it was his fellow man, the Earth, or the Savior. ⁣

And he wept because of the pain they were enduring. ⁣

And THEN, he did what he could to try to relieve their suffering, or to at least learn about what would relieve it. ⁣

We don’t get many details about what Enoch actually did in his city with the righteous people who lived there. ⁣

But I imagine this pattern was repeated day in and day out. ⁣

Tough times would happen. Someone would come to battle against them. Someone would lose a loved one. Someone would mentally and emotionally have a rough day. ⁣

And people would notice, mourn, and do what they could to help. ⁣

Over and over. ⁣

Compassion. Enoch showed it, the Lord shows it, and each member of a Zion community shows it, too.

“Compassion is a fundamental characteristic of those who strive for sanctification.” – Elder Ulisses Soares

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post What made Enoch the guy?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God”. ⁣(D&C 45:66)

Doesn’t that sound great?!⁣

But what does that mean for me right now?⁣

In President Nelson’s signature talk, “Let God Prevail”, he said something that stood out to me when I relistened recently: ⁣

“Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”⁣

I know that my mind usually goes toward missionary work and temple work when I hear that statement. ⁣

But, it recently clicked that this has SO MUCH to do with my family and home RIGHT NOW. ⁣

Anything that I do in order to help my family members make and keep sacred covenants, helps to gather Israel. ⁣

Which means that I’m picturing my home becoming a place exactly like the Lord described in verse 66. ⁣

A land of peace. A city of refuge. A place of safety. ⁣

As I work to create this type of environment in my home (peace, refuge, and safety), I am participating in the gathering of Israel in a truly essential way. ⁣

So that’s what I’m pondering on today. ⁣

How can I create more peace in my home?⁣

Not just “keeping the peace”, but actually creating true, sublime peace. ⁣

How can I ensure my home is a refuge?⁣

Keeping it different from the rest of the world, purposely. ⁣

How can I make my home feel like safety?⁣

Filling it with so much love, that any outside harm doesn’t find a place to stay. ⁣

If you are a parent, teen, young adult, or grandparent creating peace, refuge, and safety in your own home, then you are helping to gather Israel and create Zion.

“One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.” – Richard G. Scott

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The surprising place to build Zion  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Uh, nothing right now. I’m pretty good.”

I still cringe a little every time I think of this conversation I once had with my bishop as a youth.

I was happy to tell him all the things I was doing right.

And so I was caught off guard when he asked me what I was improving.

Nothing really! I’m good! Checking all the boxes!

I cringe, but I also laugh a bit now.

I couldn’t even see what I was still missing.

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion”. (Amos 6:1)

So what has changed in the 15 years since that interview?

I’ve had huge trials.

I’ve dealt with really frustrating situations.

I’ve had to forgive others and forgive myself.

I’ve become a parent. 

I’ve watched other people around me deal with heartbreaking situations with grace and faith.

I’ve learned more about Jesus.

But what’s the key?

“The remedy for being at ease in Zion might be called a broken heart—one that is justly motivated to change and to heal.” — Michelle Guerra

A broken heart that is motivated to change and heal.

Not a broken heart that keeps beating itself up and wondering why it is such a hot mess.

But a broken heart that keeps turning back to Jesus, knowing that He is the one who can help put each piece back together.

The remedy for being at ease is bringing a broken and willing heart to the Lord every day.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Feeling at ease first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I’ve wondered a lot this week about why Enoch was the guy who created this literal Zion city here on earth.

There have been so many mighty prophets and righteous people beforehand and since, and I don’t think that Enoch was objectively THE most righteous.

But what was his special gift, his spiritual superpower that made him perfect for this particular role of creating a Zion community?

And the word COMPASSION couldn’t help but jump out as I read Moses 7.

This guy wept when he learned of terrible destruction that would happen.

He wept when he saw the Savior crucified.

He wept when he saw latter-day destruction.

But he didn’t just cry and feel sad about these things:

He always tried to do something about it.

He saw Noah’s flood?

Enoch wept, and he also pled with the Lord to make a covenant to bless Noah’s seed who would remain on earth.

He saw even more destruction?

Enoch wept and asked the Lord when our poor Mother Earth would get relief from having to bear the pains of mankind.

He saw more wickedness and the Savior being slain?

Enoch asked if the Lord would come again to bring peace.

What a fantastic example of compassion, right?!

He saw the suffering of others, whether it was his fellow man, the Earth, or the Savior.

And he wept because of the pain they were enduring.

And THEN, he did what he could to try to relieve their suffering, or to at least learn about what would relieve it.

We don’t get many details about what Enoch actually did in his city with the righteous people who lived there.

But I imagine this pattern was repeated day in and day out.

Tough times would happen. Someone would come to battle against them. Someone would lose a loved one. Someone would mentally and emotionally have a rough day.

And people would notice, mourn, and do what they could to help.

Over and over.

Compassion. Enoch showed it, the Lord shows it, and each member of a Zion community shows it, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Enoch’s compassion first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Creating Zion requires multiple people each doing really good things.

I can’t just create Zion on my own. Right?

“The Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:18)

But I think the real question is…

Am I doing my part to build Zion?

“Love and kindness are at the center of having Zion in our hearts and homes.” Quentin L. Cook

This is the essence of the gospel, right?

Love and kindness.

We say those words so often that sometimes I think I forget what they mean.

Love— like REAL love.

It’s easy to say, “I love everyone!”

It’s easy to think we love everyone from far away.

But I’ve noticed it’s really difficult to actually love someone if I don’t know them or if I haven’t prayed for them.

It’s a lot harder to love up close.

When I’ve needed to love a child more, I’ve prayed like crazy about them.

When I’ve needed to love an acquaintance more, I’ve asked them questions to get to know them better.

Kindness— another overused but such an important word.

Are my outward actions kind?

Even if they “deserved” the response they got?

Even if they made me annoyed?

Being kind to everyone is actually super difficult, especially when I’m running on empty.

Love and kindness.

It sounds too simple, and yet I’ve found it is pretty complicated.

But I’m working every day to be a bit better, to do my part to create Zion.

To lift up those who are poor in spirit and poor in circumstance around me.

Not because I am a perfect person, but because I know who the Perfect Person is.

I’m pointed toward Him, and I can help do my best to point others toward Him, too.

And I think that’s how I’m working to build Zion, a little bit of love and kindness at a time.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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