MikeUpton

'specially not on the lds website :). Which distro do you use, kona?

Funny how often good lookin' and good cookin' comes up.

I vouch for the nice girls thing. I love them. Girls who are not nice are mentioned in Proverbs, in scriptures I heartily agree with: 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 21:9 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Proverbs 21:19 See? Another fine example of sage timeless advice from the scriptures! To be fair, you could replace the word woman with "man" and its equally true. If anyone knows any nice girls, let me know. I want one too!

i wonder how the circles are done when you look close at it.

Looks like it was a copy paste job including your signature, to call attention to the fact his website was mentioned in the thread.

While attending Ricks, one day I was in the dorms visiting a friend of mine. I was there hanging out and shooting the breeze with my friend and her roomates. The subject came up about dating, and one of the girls had a question for me. She asked "I want the truth. The complete truth. Why is it some girls get all of the dates and others sit at home?" Well, she asked for my opinion, and said she wanted the truth of the matter, so I gave it to her as best as I could. She didn't like my answer. In fact I remember she was pretty upset about it. So what I am about to say I can only assume might upset some people here too, but I'm about to say what I said then, and add additional things I've learned in years since. Before I start, it helps with the anger if these things are kept in mind. There are many attitudes about dating and attraction which are harmful that I do not suscribe to, nor am I trying to make any underlying points. Don't read too much into this. There is nothing hidden between the lines. Specifically, I do not believe a person's worth=attractiveness I do not believe a person's worth=how much you want to date them I do not believe a person's worth=how socially acceptable they are I do not believe a person's worth=etc etc etc because I believe a person's worth=a person's worth=infinity, because of our divine parenthood. That said, now I think that this must be said. This might be a long post, I've got a lot to say, and I was thinking about it a little yesterday as I was digging a creek out. Here is the truth the girl asked for. Some girls will get more dates than most because of their beauty. Thats a given. Guys are admittedly, overall, naturally attracted to good looking girls. But here's the thing that upset her. This is not the end of the story. There are things a girl (or a guy) can do to make themselves more attractive in ways that make up for looks. These people also get more dates. These are people who seem to put the parable of the talents to work in their lives by getting up, and going out to do things. Becoming actively involved in service in its many forms, and taking some form of responsibility for their social lives. Quite a number of the girls who never get asked out are the ones who get depressed about not getting asked out, so they become bitter, sit at home, watch tv and mope. Moping and bitterness does not make a person more attractive. Being involved, caring about others, serving, and taking some responsibility for improving your social life does make you more attractive, and these people do go on more dates. Not to mention, its difficult to meet people when you're not going out places where you can meet them. If you take the body God has given you, and you do your best with it, if you take the life God has given you and do your best with it, well doing your best is all that can be asked of a person. A person who is doing their best is more attractive. Don't take what I said as an absolute. There are always exceptions to this, its the general idea that is important. Here's some stuff I've learned since then, additional points.: I see too many people bashing beautiful people and getting away with it. There are so many things in our lives we try not to commit errors of stereotyping on, but when it comes to the subject of people who seem to be doing well for themselves, sometimes we forget this principle. Its important that we do not. In my own experience, I have seen many beautiful people who had an inflated ego, but I have to say this: I have also seen many beautiful people who did not. Some of the most beautiful people I have known, have also been some of the most humble, spiritual, and caring people I have known. Yes, I am speaking of classic good looks and not just inner beauty. There are some who really do possess both. Let me say also, that beautiful people are in essence, people. They have the same problems the rest of us do with understanding the true nature of our worth. Looking back at a post earlier given about people caught up in trying to reverse time, being a perfectionist, etc. etc. Doesn't that say to you there is a problem there? It comes when we rely too much upon other things than our divine parenthood in order to feel worth. This is essentially what might happen to many of us if we did the same, beautiful people are no different. I believe personally, its related to this scripture in Helaman (and similar scriptures in the New Testament.) "12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." They are of course, held to the same standards we are. They also need to take responsibility for their lives, and work to be humble. I made the point above not to argue with things others have said so much as to add perspective. I don't like to see people getting caught up in bashing the beautiful or the rich. They are people, and God does not love them any less than he loves you. There is a pride we must watch for, and its the pride spoken of by Ezra Taft Benson in his well known talk on pride: "Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. (See 2 Ne. 9:42.) There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous." I've got more points I'd like to make, but I feel this post is getting a bit long, I'll wrap it up. It might become a novel. :)

I've had that exact thought before! it would be cool if we could freight it up there. i think the sun would be an excellent dumping spot.

don't need drinkable water. In fact, it would be better if we didn't touch it. Not too hard to purify the stuff the oceans are made of.

the byproduct of a hydrogen explosion? more water. The amount of water on earth? 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons. I assume it was a funny funny joke meant to be funny (in a funny way):).

I can't wait for the days our cars run on water! I'd drive everywhere!

That sort of attitude is attractive.

In many of my psych classes, and in books I've read, I've seen many studies about dating, mating, and what attracts people. Here's a couple interesting items. Did you know that babies even gaze on the faces of those who are considered attractive by most people longer than they do the average looking? That there are mathematical formulas to follow when creating something visually appealing? Animals challenge each other over the prettiest mate in a battle of dominance, with the female running off with the victor. This sort of behavior is also mimicked in the world of humans. Guys to some extent like good looking girls, and girls to some extent like dominant guys. I don't think this sort of behavior is fundamentally wrong, it seems to be what we are naturally designed to do. I think it only becomes bad when our priorities get distorted, and we allow nature to take full charge and overrun our finer senses. Its similar to having other natural tendencies of being human but working at them to refine them, and make them better. If you don't have those tendencies, fine! I prefer it when things I say are taken with a grain of salt. :) Edit: I've said all that but I must say in my ongoing quest to find an eternal mate, I've dated girls from different walks of life, and different levels of physical attractiveness. I've fallen quite hard for a couple girls who I suppose would be considered "average" by the standards of the world, but in my eyes they were breathtaking.

I finally got what you were saying. It made me laugh.

I'm a young old man, so I guess I'm supposed to contribute to advice. My advice is, Confidence: Men, stop putting yourself down in front of women. And stop putting yourself down in front of yourself. Its good to be humble, but humility is not a lack of confidence. Be ready to laugh at your own stupid behavior. Seriously, girls are attracted to guys when they screw up, but handle it with dignity. Some people think if you screw up in front of somebody it blows your chances, but the opposite is true, at least in my experience. Its an opportunity for attraction. Don't worship: Love is good, but don't worship. Don't think your date or interest or significant other or is better than you in any way. Remember that behavior is actually inappropriate, we're all sons and daughters of the same almighty God. You are royalty. Love is not worship. Respect is not worship. Worship God and love your mate. Treat them as an equal, not an idol. Remember that song "She's So High" by LDS artist Tal Bachman? Its cute, but its BS. Respect: All of that is true but don't take it to mean you don't respect the people you date. Treat others with compassion. I hear so much stuff about how women go for "jerks", and yes a lot often do, but in reality this is an oversimplification. Its far more attractive (and spiritually healthy) to simply bring others up to your level instead of putting them down. Just remain confident while you do it. Love: Don't fall in love with a person before you know them. Worry: Do your best to have fun and get to know them, but don't force the love part. Let it come naturally. Let it be a mutual thing. Don't worry about whether the other person is in love with you. Really, the less worrying the better. :) Don't worry about what they're thinking of you, don't worry about what they might think of you in the future, just plain stop trying to read their minds at all. Its pointless. You're not Ms. Cleo. Know what you want: Meet a lot of people. Do your best to see your likes and dislikes. Follow the prophets. They know the way: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS! Also read what the prophets have said on the subject, they have loads of good advice. LDS.org - Search Now I need to start an "old single adults thread" where I can ask for advice!

this video is not an exact demonstration, but its not too bad i think.

Who can deny the power of education in creativity when you witness the work of God? Good point.

I don't know much about the educational system, as you guys seem to. I've not thought out how well privitization would work. It does sound really interesting, and presents a lot of ideas I've not had before. I can say from my limited experience, that I was raised in the 'hood. When I moved out to a more wealthy area, the educational climate was vastly different. Yea, the students were different. Quite a bit more mature. To demonstrate this, once my old school had a football victory over my new school. They didn't just cheer, they went wild. They broke some of the windows of our school office, punched out the principal, etc. Coming to class the next day, the kids were aghast at the behaviour of my old high school. They were surprised that people would act that way. I wasn't. I had grown up witnessing the insecurities of these kids, and had first hand experience with their behavior. At my new school I witnessed creativity in a form I'd never seen before. Creativity, security, education, and discipline all seemed to mix together in this new school. There was talent that would astound me from day to day. I hung out with these guys and girls that would sometimes bring guitars to school and they could really play em. There were amazing artists, writers, poets, etc and loads of students generally not being afraid to be different. It was incredible. Students would walk about seeming not to worry so much about being mean or tough, but they'd seem to have some spark of genuine concern for others. They were intelligent, and disciplined. There was the odd element that was rebellious, but even this rebellion was tame, and amounted to not much more than drug use (yes comparatively tame) or subversive meanings in the school literature magazine. The teachers were different too. I noticed there were higher standards of excellence they seemed to hold themselves to. I enjoyed coming to class. Some of the teachers in particular were quite good. There were good teachers at my old school too, but they seemed to abound more at the new one. Whatever the case, it was an overall improvement. I suppose all of this could say a lot about the neighborhoods we all lived in. I suppose it could say a lot about money. But I think these issues really oversimplify things. I think there was a lot more involved here, and I think that a lot of it had to do with the nature of the families everyone was raised in. Coming from where I'd come from and then seeing what I later saw, I'd have to say wholeheartedly that good education makes a vast difference in helping with creativity. But the question begins not so much in the school, but in the family, and in one's self.

Its like you never fail to make me laugh. Your comments are a sign of genius.

The main thing I have learned from having questions about the church, is to realize that questions represent places where our knowledge is incomplete, and not a fault in the teaching we have questions about. I still don't have a perfect answer to my questions, but you know what? I know the church is true anyway, so it doesn't affect my knowledge of the truthfulness of the Gospel. My knowledge of the truthfulness of the Gospel has not come from a carnal understanding of precepts or teachings. It comes from many many witnesses to my soul that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church. The witness of this truth has been given. I cannot deny that. If I am presented with questions in my life about any particular teaching, I must admit that regardless of my question, I already know the church is true. Even if there is any sort of question that comes up in my life, this knowledge gives me a certain course. I will remain forever in this church even if the question is not answered until the next life. It is me who lacks understanding, and not the church lacking the truth. I struggle to do my best with the understandings I have. I can only hope that the Lord will see this and have mercy on me, as imperfect as I am. Truth shall forever remain the truth, whether we perceive it or not.

In my opinion that is a question that almost solely rests upon the shoulders of the person receiving the education. Yes, education can destroy creativity. But only if you allow it. If you are able to take things others say with a grain of salt, if you are able to think outside the box, if you are able to synthesize new understandings from rote learning, then education does not hinder creativity. it enhances it. Blind acceptance of what others say is not a very useful education, and is often not education at all. Forming new meaning from old understanding, in my mind is the essence of creativity. I would actually say the truth is quite the opposite. A lack of education hinders creativity. These understandings apply whether the education is learned in school, from mentors, or out on your own.

thats kinda my point. we are too busy whining and not busy enough doing.

if you fire up google earth, and insert this KMZ plugin, you can see some of the fun we've had nuking our own country. Interesting, isn't it? Granted this was done a long time ago, and adds to our knowledge of how defend ourselves. I don't have a particular opinion one way or the other if that was the right thing to do. Here's the thing. On the one hand we have nuked ourselves a couple thousand times, which has probably done considerable damage to the land involved. On the other hand, nowadays the political climate has become so overrun with the doctrines of environmentalist groups, we are unable to even make a dent on our precious earth in order to help ourselves out. This is a bit of a subjective opinion mind you, but I for one tire that we have allowed ourselves to listen to these groups, many of whom value nature and planet earth, over human life! We are so tied up at every turn we seem unable to help ourselves in a very heated political climate. Environmentalists like to use a loaded word "addiction" and talk about our "addiction" to oil. It seems they think if they use enough epithets they can bypass logic. The fact is, there really is no better way at the moment for the majority of us, but to use oil. Other methods are being developed, but they are in their primary stages right now. Granted we could improve through use of public transportations or other methods, but the fact remains. Having oil based transportation is not an "addiction" but is simply a fact of life. We are not to the point yet where we can become vastly independent of oil based transportation. I do not like the idea of going back to the dark ages where we all had to walk. Some might take the argument that "well why don't we then change this and this and this" in order to stop using so much oil. That's fine and well, but the likelihood of tremendous change happening overnight is nil. We need to work with reality and realize that vast changes means long term. We need our independence NOW. We cannot be overly dependant upon other countries for a vital product which we are obviously able to produce ourselves simply because an environmentalist says we're not supposed to. Environmentalist groups remind me a lot of those overly neurotic thoughts people have that get in the way of a person's spiritual growth. It is good to question your motives and your direction in an attempt to keep yourself on the right path, but not so much that you destroy your ability to become independent . The draconian mumbo jumbo that we have to face in order to get anything done is impeding our progress as a nation, and is inhibiting our power to act independently, protect ourselves with that independence, and build wealth. Think for a moment here. Wouldn't it be a lot better if there were less people saying STOP, you can't do things that will help you, and instead focus their efforts on solving problems in a constructive way? Instead of devoting your life to forcing a nation to follow your environmentalist dogma, why not devote your life to studying new methods of transportation, which wouldn't hurt the environment? I'm not taking this to an extreme, saying we shouldn't pay attention to what we're doing to our land. I'm saying back off! Give the USA some breathing space!

thats about what my bishop emailed to me a couple days ago. :) the church takes care of its members.

Thanks to the OP for pointing this out. Sometimes it is a relief to me knowing there are others out there who are able to see the problem we have when we ask questions. I myself have faced this problem a lot recently. Although my testimony of the church was not particularly in question, there are things I did not understand, so naturally it was my desire to learn more about these points. It was important to understand these things so that I might know how to proceed with my life. To even ask about those points to many members would cause them to emit the same sort of behaviour you have spoken of, albeit without the "have you been reading anti?" To a person who was really going through a very difficult time, and needed answers badly, I have to say, that they were indeed difficult questions, and I cannot blame others for not being able to answer them. However, the attitude I often ran into while asking the questions made my situation even worse. I feel I have something of an answer now to what I asked, but looking back, it would have been a lot easier had people been less willing to project and sling mud, rather than just do their best to humble themselves, and try to understand the situation. Anyway, I've moved on now. My testimony is intact. I thank you again for this post.

I love the Church so much. OK, so I am an LDSaholic. I admit it. I can't live in denial, right? Its so great to have brothers and sisters all over the world who share with me my deepest personal beliefs. It makes us family in a way nothing else can match.