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In EQ yesterday, we spoke about hope. The only thing we can have hope in is Christ. Hope for an easy life, hope that I will be ready for whatever catastrophe is coming, and hope that my family won’t starve to death are all things that won’t do much. The only promise God makes is that of eternal life, and that scares me. If there is a big enough disaster where supply chains are cut off, all the food in our local stores will be gone within a few hours. So not ganna lie, this whole conversation about being prepared terrifies me. Almost cripples me sometimes. The day may come that Saints around the world starve to death. Not because of neglecting preparation, but from simply not having resources, and no amount of righteousness or preparation can prevent this should a large enough supply chain disruption occur. My family, for example, is one of those who may starve should something happen on the next year. I got off my mission is 2016, married in 2017, and first kid came on 2018. We felt the prophetic direction was clear, don’t wait for a career or education to start a family. We now have 3 amazing kids. Mid 2019 - mid 2020 was my first time experiencing paychecks that more than supported the month to month necessities. We built up a pretty good 1-2 months storage outside of the food we regularly kept stocked for day to day meals. The financial decisions we made in 2019-2020 were under the assumption that we were going to continue to grow economically and that we would bring more children into the world. Then Covid hit. The disease didn’t bother us much, but the city lock downs did. Over this last year, my income was only about 1/4 the size from the previous year. we are in pretty rough debt and struggling to even keep up with rent (but have a lot of help from family and the church). We also lack a home we own. Should disaster hit, we will lose our home before we run out of food. It may take all year to partially recover from this prior year. If something major happens, my family’s only hope is for someone else to help. We can probably make it two if we ration extremely carefully. The type of world wide catastrophe that would require a 1 year supply is one of those things that will leave my family starving. So ya… with everything going on, and knowing that starvation and death are on the table of things God is willing to let us experience, it all scares me. I have to live my life as if the economic future is amazing or I cannot function day to day.

LOL...my SP described our speaking together in each ward as the "speaking tour." On a more serious note. He said that his keys and authority in our stake led him to have us speak together in all the wards of the stake on this topic. He said it could not wait until Stake Conference in February. We spoke in the first three wards today. His talk followed mine, which was to support what I said and also add in some spiritual aspects. My talk is below. @zil I'll be in your ward next week. Temporal Matters In the October 1998 General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinkley said, “I wish to speak to you about temporal matters.” I was called by President ********** to be a Self Reliance Specialist for the stake. I was given the specific assignment in that calling to help the stake become temporally prepared in the areas of food storage and emergency preparedness. The state of temporal preparedness in the ************** Stake weighs heavily on my mind. President ********** has asked me to speak to the entire Stake about temporal matters. I do not wish to be an alarmist, but some of the statements from the prophets and apostles are foreboding in nature as they sound the clarion call of warning. President Hinckley read a few verses from the 41st chapter of Genesis during the October 1998 General Conference. I want to share those verses with you again. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, dreamed dreams which greatly troubled him. The wise men of his court could not give an interpretation. Joseph was then brought before him: “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: “And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat fleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: “And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and lean fleshed. “And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: “And I saw in my dream … seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: “And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: “And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: “And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, … God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. “The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. “What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. “Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: “And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; “… And God will shortly bring it to pass” President Hinckley said that he was not predicting a famine, but he told us it was time to get our houses in order. He then emphatically stated, “there is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed.” The definition of portent is: 1. an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous. And 2. threatening or disquieting significance. The definition of heed is: 1. pay attention to; (or) take notice of. And 2. careful attention. Our prophets and the apostles carefully select the words they use when they speak. We should always pay close attention to the phrasing they use in their talks. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we sustain the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord. They give us instruction, warnings, and counsel from the Lord for our day. The Lord reveals His will for the Church to His prophet. There are some, both in and out of the church, who question the wisdom of statements made from our leaders. Elder Jeffery R. Holland addressed this issue during General Conference in 2006. He said, “Not often but over the years some sources have suggested that the Brethren are out of touch in their declarations, that they don’t know the issues, that some of their policies and practices are out-of-date, not relevant to our times. I say with all the fervor of my soul that never in my personal or professional life have I ever associated with any group who are so in touch, who know so profoundly the issues facing us, who look so deeply into the old, stay so open to the new, and weigh so carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully everything in between.” Twenty three years ago our prophet, the mouthpiece of the Lord, gave us a warning. He told us stormy weather was ahead. He counseled us to get our houses in order. He counseled us to be prepared. He followed that warning up three years later in the October 2001 General Conference saying, “I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh’s dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn.” Brothers and sisters, we have had twenty years since that second statement to get our houses in order. We have been given the opportunity to hear counsel from the Lord’s mouthpiece and become temporally prepared for what is ahead. I strongly urge you to make an honest assessment in your own home as to the state of your temporal preparedness and take appropriate temporal steps as needed. There are various aspects to being self-reliant. These include temporal preparedness, finances, employment, emotional resilience and making sure you are spiritually in tune to receive the guidance of the spirit as you become prepared. Elder David A. Bednar taught us in General Conference last year about the importance of tests. He said, “…periodic tests are absolutely essential to learning. An effective test helps us to compare what we need to know with what we actually know about a specific subject; it also provides a standard against which we can evaluate our learning and development.” In the midst of the Covid 19 shutdown we had an earthquake. Though minor, this earthquake showed many families where they stand regarding the state of their personal preparedness with food storage and other essential items already in their homes. We witnessed a dramatic emptying of shelves at the grocery store. Today I am bringing the message of food storage and emergency preparedness. One only needs to look at the chaos in the grocery stores of last year in the early days of the Covid 19 shutdowns to see the wisdom in having food and other essential items on hand in your homes. We saw shortages of common items, including toilet paper, cleaning supplies, milk, baking goods, bottled water and butter, just to name a few. Today we still see the effects of tyrannical government behavior due to Covid restrictions and their impact on the local and world economy. A local dairy has struggled to get their milk to the grocery store shelves due to a shortage of plastic lids for their milk jugs. We see a decrease in the variety of foods we commonly purchase. Some shelves still remain bare or hold minimal product. Perhaps even more telling is the ninety day closure that just occurred to one of the largest long term food storage companies in the world. They sent out a notice to their customers that they have stopped production until early next year because they are unable to procure the food they use in making their products. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign January 1974) Brothers and sisters, it was not raining when Noah built the ark, but he built it and the rains came. The past two years have proven to be trying times for all of us. One of the ways that can help us strengthen and grow is through the principle of preparation. We have been commanded in the Doctrine and Covenants to “prepare every needful thing… (D&C 88:119) We also are promised that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. (D&C 38:30) Some members of our church believe that food storage and emergency preparedness are no longer topics of importance or necessary. Elder Bednar had this to say a year ago during General Conference: “Some Church members opine that emergency plans and supplies, food storage, and 72-hour kits must not be important anymore because the Brethren have not spoken recently and extensively about these and related topics in general conference. But repeated admonitions to prepare have been proclaimed by leaders of the Church for decades. The consistency of prophetic counsel over time creates a powerful concert of clarity and a warning volume far louder than solo performances can ever produce.” We see that some members believe all we need do is work on our spirituality. They believe there is no need for temporal preparation and all we need to do is be spiritually prepared. In Doctrine and Covenants 29 we learn an important principle from the Lord. Verse 34 says: “Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal,” (D&C 29:34) The parable of the ten virgins teaches us this lesson about both temporal and spiritual preparedness. Elder Bednar reminded us last year during General Conference about this lesson. He taught us that procrastinating preparation leads to devastating consequences. Recall how the five foolish virgins failed to prepare appropriately for the day of the bridegroom’s coming. “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. … “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.” “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.” President Spencer W. Kimball had this to say about the parable: “The ten virgins belonged to the kingdom and had every right to the blessings—except that five were not valiant and were not ready when the great day came. They were unprepared through not living all the commandments.” President Kimball said the virgins belong to the kingdom. The kingdom refers to the members of his church. Half the kingdom failed to prepare and suffered a devastating consequence for their failure to be obedient. There are some members who believe when hard times arrive we will all pool our food and everyone will have enough. They somehow believe that a miracle like the fishes and loaves will occur for them, or they think the Law of Consecration will take care of everyone. Let me read to you Doctrine and Covenants, section 130: verses 20-21: 20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— 21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. If we fail to obey a principle of the gospel, we cannot receive the blessings for another’s faithfulness. Faith without works is dead. If you do not have the faith to follow the consistent counsel from the prophets and apostles to put up some food storage and other essentials for your family, how can you believe you will have faith equal to the fishes and loaves miracle? For those who smugly think that the Law of Consecration will protect them, allow me to point out certain principles associated with the doctrine. Under the Law of Consecration all things are deeded to the church. The agent bishop than returns a stewardship back to you based on your needs and circumstances. That stewardship becomes private property for the steward and his family. It is not communal property. If there is a surplus from that stewardship, it would then go to the bishop’s storehouse to care for the poor and needy. To be clear, under this law, a year supply of food for one family, is not a year supply for everyone else to tap into. If there was any surplus, it would be available through the bishop’s storehouse. Let me share what Elder Boyd K. Packer said about home storage in his book The Holy Temple (pg 227-229): “Consider this comparison. In the welfare program we have been counseled for generations by the leaders of the Church to secure for ourselves a year's supply of food and clothing, and if possible fuel, and to be concerned for our shelter. This is a responsibility laid upon the individual members of the Church, upon each family. The commodities are to be stored at home. They are to be privately purchased, privately stored, and in time of crisis privately used.“ Elder James E. Faust said, “The Church cannot be expected to provide for every one of its millions of members in case of public or personal disaster.” Several years ago the father of one of my friends, who was a regional representative at the time, told us that the storehouses of the church have enough food stored, to feed every family in the church, in the world, a single meal and then all the food was gone. It is not ever suggested that because we have bishop's storehouses there would be no need for individual families to maintain their year's supply. The counsel for the individual to protect himself and his family has never been withdrawn. It has been continually emphasized. President Benson put to rest that idea that the storehouse will care for us all when he said, “Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year's supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.267) I am going to share with you some verses from the Book of Mormon. 1 Nephi 16:18-20 18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. 19 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food. 20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord. Lehi was a prophet of God and he faltered when he was hungry. He was far more spiritual than we are, and if his hunger drove him to murmur against the Lord, then how do we think we will fare when the day of need arrives? The Lord expects us to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. President Kimball said, "We encourage families to have on hand this year's supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scriptures of the Lord where He says, 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?' How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says" (Spencer W. Kimball, "Family Preparedness," Ensign, May 1976, 125). President Kimball also said, "There will come a time when there isn’t a store.“ (President Spencer W. Kimball General Conference, April 1974 ) Key home storage principles include the storage of food, the storage of water, and the storage of other necessities based on individual and family needs, all because “the best storehouse” is the home, which becomes the most accessible reserve in times of need. Bishop McMullin in his 2008 General Conference talk said, “brethren, we lay up in store. Wives are instrumental in this work, but they need husbands who lead out in family preparedness. Children need parents who instill in them this righteous tradition. They will then do likewise with their children, and their stores will not fail. A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life. Remember these words from Paul: “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Bishop W. Christopher Waddell pointed out last year during General conference that, “In today’s environment, with a pandemic that has devastated whole economies as well as individual lives, it would be inconsistent with a compassionate Savior to ignore the reality that many are struggling and ask them to begin building a reserve of food and money for the future. However, that does not mean that we should permanently ignore principles of preparation—only that these principles should be applied “in wisdom and order” so that in the future we might say, as did Joseph in Egypt, “There was bread.” For those who are struggling due to financial strain, start with a one week’s supply and build to a month. Then build to three months and continue to that goal of a long term supply of food. So many feel that a long term supply of food is beyond their reach and make no effort. Begin in a small and consistent way. Bishop Waddell went on to teach that, “Being temporally prepared and self-reliant means “believing that through the grace, or enabling power, of Jesus Christ and our own effort, we are able to obtain all the spiritual and temporal necessities of life we require for ourselves and our families.” Additional aspects of a spiritual foundation for temporal preparedness include acting “in wisdom and order,” which implies a gradual buildup of food storage and savings over time, as well as embracing “small and simple” means, which is a demonstration of faith that the Lord will magnify our small but consistent efforts.” As you work towards your goal of having a long term storage of food, do not go to extremes. Going into debt to achieve this goal is contrary to the principles of self-reliance. Exercising your faith in Jesus Christ, through obedience to gospel principles, will guide you in your efforts. As you do your very best, you can be confident that “the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail.” You will enjoy greater wisdom, security, peace of mind, and personal well-being. The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do, when we can do it. As President Nelson has said, “The Lord loves effort.” Closing remarks….. As we embrace spiritual principles and seek inspiration from the Lord, we will be guided to know the Lord’s will for us, individually and as families, and how best to apply the important principles of temporal preparedness. The most important step of all is to begin. President Henry B. Eyring posted to his Facebook page the statement, “The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. (Facebook Post January 8, 2015 President Eyring) Elder L. Tom Perry counseled us to, “Acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life,” and “…we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year's supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over.” (If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36). Joseph Smith said we would, …”do well to discern the signs of the times.” Brothers and sisters, we live in the Last Days. The signs of the times in our day are events that were prophesied to take place in the latter days before the Second Coming of Christ. Signs are the recognizable events or occurrences which identify present events and which portend future events. Those signs are all around us if we look. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said the signs of the times “ [are] increasing in frequency and intensity.“ (Elder Dallin H. Oaks April 2004 General Conference"Preparation for the Second Coming") And President Eyring warned us, "The giant earthquake, and the tsunamis it sent crashing into the coasts around the Indian Ocean, is just the beginning and a part of what is to come..." (President Henry B. Eyring BYU–Idaho Devotional, Jan. 25, 2005 "Raise the Bar") President Benson spoke of these signs as well, stating, “I speak with a feeling of great urgency…Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1980) We have been commanded to watch and be ready. Bishop McMullin said, “The feeling of peace and the desire to be faithful to the commandment given by the Lord through the modern prophet helps us feel the Holy Spirit, … to not be afraid, and to see that the signs of the time for the Second Coming of the Lord is a blessing and not something to fear. We rejoice in it. … It gives us the motivation to be faithful and endure to the end and to be saved and obtain eternal life.” (Bishop McMullin, Lay Up In Store) Temporal preparedness is part of our preparation for the last days and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Bednar taught this principle when he said: “Taking action is the exercise of faith. … True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action.” Brothers and sisters, I add my voice of testimony to the words of our prophets and apostles. I testify that obedience to the principles of food and home storage and self-reliance will bring peace of mind in these perilous times. As we seek to become temporally prepared, we can face the trials of life with increased confidence, peace in our hearts, and like Joseph in Egypt, we will be able to say, “There was bread.” In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I have a very simple principle guiding my thoughts on the subject. There is no such thing as a gun accident. Only gun negligence. Owning, holding, handling a firearm carries with it a responsibility. And people either live up to that responsibility or they don't. Any negligent discharge, whether it does harm or not, is the fault of at least one human, sometimes more. Whether Baldwin is totally to blame, partially to blame, or blameless, doesn't alter the type of dead the victim finds herself. The person or people who share the blame, will carry that truth with them for the rest of their lives.

Plenty of solutions/ideas/tips/tricks are only a google away. https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+prep+in+an+apartment&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS924US924&oq=how+to+prep+in+an+apartment

Been a long time since I’ve heard a food storage talk. I didn’t know it was still a thing. Here in CA we don’t have basements, so any serious storage is problematic at best.

I care not whose "responsibility" it is. I was taught to check every firearm I'm handed and have instilled the same in my children. I can think of very few times, mostly military related, where I didn't check a firearm immediately after assuming possession of it.

ANYONE handling a firearm is responsible to handle it safely. That includes press checking it to see if it is loaded.

I assume that all are aware of the gun accident on the set for "Rust" that resulted from Alix Baldwin's firing of a "prop gun" killing one and injuring another. I want to insert some thought and ideas into this and other considerations in connection to fire arms and the second amendment - which will include liberties, the use of power and responsibilities in general. In my youth the use of firearms was considered important to the development of boys and becoming a "man". Since my youth feminism has put forward that girls ought to be able to learn and do most anything boys do. I mostly agree. I have long held the idea that the safe operation of guns (firearms) are essential to basic needs in education. Before I was allowed to own a firearm or even use a firearm as a youth my parents insisted that I successfully complete a course in gun safety. The only realistic course was taught by the National Rifle Association. To this day I believe that the NRA is the civilian hope and answer to exercising Second Amendment rights is is an essential in the bricks of the fortress for preserving and protecting our freedoms and liberties. I was taught by the NRA that I have responsibilities when I take charge of (handle or use) a firearm. I was taught to assume every gun is loaded and that it will kill anything I point it at. I was taught to inspect and check ever firearm I tough before it intend to use it. That I and I alone am responsible for that weapon for everything that happens wile that firearm is in my possession. I was taught to never rely on anyone else and what they told me about the firearm - especially concerning its load and readiness to kill. I have long believed that public education should include the use and responsibility associated with firearms - that this is just as important for conscious objectors. That no one should be considered educated or capable of citizenship without this knowledge. If Hollywood was respectful for the NRA and what they teach concerning gun safety (including Mr. Baldwin) that accidents that happened on the set of "Rust" would never occur. No one that is not educated and respectful of weapon safety should ever even touch a gun and anyone using a gun is responsible and that such responsibility can never be transferred to anyone else. The Traveler

I was not present so I must be careful in my judgement but there is a question that stand out to me. The person killed was not an actor nor intended to be any character in any seen but rather a member of the production crew. Was the particular firing of the weapon that caused the death part of the script? Or was the firearm being used off script? I understand that accidents can occur - particularly as @NeuroTypical expressed. Though I was well taught in my youth I witnessed and participated in several "accidents". I would like to say that no one was hurt but that is not true - I was standing next to a person that unintentionally shot themselves in the foot while falling with gun in hand. I was not present but my brother was when a shotgun was accidently discharged in a home - the discharge opened a hole in three walls - the last hole was large enough to craw through. I have also stated that regardless of the circumstance - I would rather be shot and killed than to shoot and kill someone but I would not hesitate if it was necessary to protect someone else. It is my sincere prayer that I will not be required to ever use a weapon in defense of others or for any reason take someone's life. Never-the-less I am of the notion that when convinced that something is necessary that I own it; publicly if necessary. The Traveler

Thank for your thoughts and thread - I think there may be confusion over terms like equal and equality and it is currently politically used. You touched on the difference between equal opportunity and outcome. I think there is some discussion of intelligence spirits being equal in the beginning but through Agency reaching different outcomes. You also talked about a gift and receiving a gift. I would go somewhat beyond this in reference to Moroni chapter 10 (after the first part of the chapter is is most often quoted). Moroni finishes his final words and uses the term "exhort" several times concerning gifts - in particular gifts of the spirit. He does this in relationship to being perfect. It is my belief that there are several terms used in scripture that are synonymous. Listing theses synonymous terms: perfect, complete, whole, holy, , born again, saved, one (ehad - in Hebrew) and sanctified. One of the terms that I think is often overlooked is the concept of "one". Often we are reminded that we cannot be caved without our dead. I believe this applies as well as those living - some of who have yet to repent and if and when any effort is made by anyone to come unto Christ. In short - the Plan of Salvation is not just a gift from G-d to us but in part is a gift from us to all mankind. The Traveler

If anyone has not taken the personal finances self reliance course I would STRONGLY recommend it. You will come to see your temporal needs and efforts in a whole new light. Aside from managing your finances better the doctrine taught in that course can totally change your perspective of things. The material is available online as well if time is an issue but attending the class with others is really helpful.

As an entertainment writer IRL, I've been doing what I can to follow this story. It's... a mess. The assistant director, basically the #2 guy on set, has been accused of engaging in dangerous practices before, forcing cast and crew to keep working even after situations became openly dangerous. This includes, allegedly, one incident where an actor was injured and another incident where a member of the production team nearly went into a diabetic coma. The armorer responsible for handling the weapons on-set has apparently not been adhering to safety standards either, and it's now being alleged that at least one gun for the set was taken off-set for use in target shooting. The film shoot itself apparently racked up *six* citations for safety, with the citations being for things so serious that even one individual citation would normally lead to a project being shut down. Apparently, whatever took place happened not just well after filming had finished, but after several members of the production crew had walked out in protest due to the unsafe working conditions. The assistant director went onto the set for the scene, declared the gun in question to be "cold", and allowed Baldwin to take it. Baldwin, in turn, presumed that the declaration was correct and did not inspect the weapon himself. Reports vary as to whether or not Baldwin was rehearsing a scene or going off on a political rant, but the gist of it is that at the end of it he pointed the gun at the two members of the production crew and taunted them, possibly attempting to joke with them. That's when the gun went off. Cue the meme showing a shoebill in the rain angrily glaring at the camera person, with captions about how this is how Brandon Lee is presently reacting from the other side. It is presently unknown if the weapon in question had live ammunition, likely the result of it having been used off-set, or if the blank knocked loose some sort of blockage in the barrel (which blanks can do, as they do have a small paper payload and so have tremendous force at point-blank range, enough to mortally injure). Either way, a competent armorer should have inspected every last weapon, including this one, to make sure the barrels were clean and the guns themselves loaded with the required munitions - in this case blanks - before they were on-set. Baldwin's defenders are coming up with every excuse they can think of to try and protect him, even going so far as to try and launch a conspiracy as to whether or not someone changed out the ammunition at the last minute to humiliate him. At the very least, though, Baldwin failed to personally check over the weapon and pointed it at people he ostensibly never meant to hurt. Those are such basic violations of firearm safety that if this had happened here in Texas his lawyers would already be talking to prosecutors.

I believe that everyone should read this thread and seriously consider the advice. That we ought to fast and pray concerning our each individual and family circumstance and seek precise revelation as to what we need to do - and do it. The traveler

WOKESTER: Having two moms is great! Two mothers can do exactly as good a job, OR BETTER, than a mother and a father! Anyone who says otherwise is a hater and a bigot! ME: Okay, so...how about two moms and a dad? WOKESTER: NOOOO!!!! How perverted! That would mess up the children sooooooo badly!