Jamie123

Oh how can you miss it? It's a "Walkie Talkie"!

I'll bet God can.
I'd say it's a big talking head, except it's also got legs and is walking, so maybe not...  Maybe it's Henry, freed from his container...   (Hint, hint.)

Who can tell me what this is?

See here.

We don't even know that there were three of them, any more than we know that they were kings, or that their names were Melchior, Casper and Balthazar. I think the idea that there were 3 comes from the gold, frankincense and mur (can't be bothered to look up the spelling) but we don't know that all of then didn't bring all 3.
When I was in infants school I was in the Nativity play as Mur. I really wanted to be Gold, but they said no I could only be Mur.
P.S. there are so many versions of this joke:

We don't even know that there were three of them, any more than we know that they were kings, or that their names were Melchior, Casper and Balthazar. I think the idea that there were 3 comes from the gold, frankincense and mur (can't be bothered to look up the spelling) but we don't know that all of then didn't bring all 3.
When I was in infants school I was in the Nativity play as Mur. I really wanted to be Gold, but they said no I could only be Mur.
P.S. there are so many versions of this joke:

Gold = When gold was given as a gift, it was usually to royalty. (Recognition as King)
Frankincense = Incense used in the Temple. (Recognition as Spiritual Leader)
Myrrh = Used in embalming. (Recognition that He would die & conquer death for all)
King, God, Savior.

A heart breaking line to read, especially at this time of year. Although I don't know the context of what has caused this between you and your wife or even if that information is common knowledge around here but, I wish you well all the same. 

You're late to the game, @Traveler!   Some of Peterson's insights into scripture (not so much doctrine, but rather how to abstract it into life lessons) have been indispensable examples for me so that I can now abstract all on my own - I was dense before.  And as far as his logic - it's more solid than any other person I've ever heard make an argument these days.  Maybe even as solid as Hugh Nibley's.  I'm convinced he means it when he says he spent years studying [whatever topic] trying to figure it out - because of how solid his explanations are.  And for some of his speeches, it's clear to me that the Spirit is teaching him.  I often think that if he were to learn the restored gospel, he'd be unstoppable (which means Satan would have him killed, I suppose).  Anywho, yeah, don't always agree, but when the topic is interesting, I really like listening to him.

22:16  - I have created the smith... I wonder if that's a coincidence

Probably, but to quote Todd B. Parker, Professor in the Department of Ancient Scripture (at BYU) in part 4 of “True Doctrine, Understood, Changes Attitudes and Behavior” (January 20, 2015 devotional):
"...I don't think so."
It's one of my favorite speechess of all time.  Part 4 ("Principle Number 4: During Scripture Study, Search for Types of Christ" aka "all things testify of Christ") is amazing.  I strongly recommend watching the video instead of just reading (normally, I'm a reader, not a video person, but for this speech, you lose things if you don't watch the video).  It's a 30-minute video, unless, like me, you watch it at 2x - then it's only 15 minutes.   Part 4 starts at 18:37, but, IMO, if you start there, you'll just end up wanting to watch the whole thing, so I recommend you just start at the beginning.
 

I like Jordan Peterson. He doesn't mind standing up to the demands of political correctness. (That's something that takes a lot of courage these days!)

I like Jordan Peterson. He doesn't mind standing up to the demands of political correctness. (That's something that takes a lot of courage these days!)

I like Jordan Peterson. He doesn't mind standing up to the demands of political correctness. (That's something that takes a lot of courage these days!)

Recently while doing some research on the internet, I came across an individual, Jordon Peterson, quite by accident.  I found his opinions and expressions rather intriguing – and for me - logical.   For those that are not familiar with Jordon he has interesting insights into discussions and the importance of challenges in discussions, especially expressing differing opinions and listening to other opinions.  What I found most interesting is his idea that if we do not like an opinion, we out to express that notion and why.
What he did not seem to cover is how to resolve heated discussions.  He seems to have the notion that we need to learn to deal with difficult discussions.  This resonates with me but with the spiritual caveat that when we become angry, we lose a spiritual light of truth.  I believe we must learn two things from disagreements.  One is that we should love others. (D&C 121:43).  That when we show love towards others we do not express disagreements with anger.
The other thing that is even more difficult is to learn to listen to those with whom we disagree.  This is difficult for me because it seems that if I ask any questions to clarify what I think I understand – it seems to upset those I am trying to understand.
Here is an example clip:
 
The Traveler

For pretty much all my life, I saw the God of the Old Testament as violent / vengeful.  Then I read Hugh Nibley (probably volume 1 of his collected works, titled Old Testament and Related Studies, but I can't remember for sure) who said that was the opposite of what the OT taught and that the God of the OT was merciful and generous.  I decided to go look for that (which I think was also Nibley's idea) by reading the OT from the start.  And either before or after carrying out that decision (can't remember), I realized that I had seen what the world had told me was there, without ever looking for anything different.  When I went looking for the God I knew, the one Nibley said was clearly manifest in the OT, that's exactly what I found - mercy and love and patience and grace beyond measure.  Were those "ripe in iniquity" violently destroyed?  Yep.  Do violent things happen? Yep - welcome to mortality.  But God himself demonstrated all those virtues Christ teaches.
If anyone reading this has not read the OT looking for a God of mercy, I cannot recommend the exercise strongly enough.  You will learn far more and be lifted by the beauty of what you find.  (But maybe wait until we're done with our intensive BofM reading! )

Absolutely right of course. "A weight only humility can bear and the backs of the proud will be broken."

3 Nephi 19
v2-3: IMO, this is true conversion.  After this experience, would you just go home, or would you race about letting the world know to come tomorrow to see the Savior?
v8: Would that my memory were so good.  I expect it was necessity (or convenience) that cause them to practice and have such good memories.  These days, who needs a memory when you have a computer?
v9: What do you desire most?
v18: Yesterday, Jesus taught them repeatedly to pray to the Father in Christ's name.  I wonder what prompted them to pray to Jesus instead - was it inspired, was it just his overwhelming presence, or...?  (NOTE: I'm not saying they did anything wrong - Christ doesn't say that - I'm just wondering where they got the idea.)
v20: If you wish to be chosen out of the world, believe in Christ.
v23: IMO, Christ was praying for you and me, as well as the multitudes who would hear these disciples in person. Also, to some degree, the idea of Christ being "in" us is explained here - to believe in Christ allows / enables him to be "in" us as the Father is in Christ.  (This continues in v29: have Faith, so that you can be purified in Christ, which allows him to be in you.)
v24: "...it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire." While more difficult, this is the way we should always pray - guided by the Holy Ghost.
v32: Again, language beyond human capacity to form (but not to understand). v33: One's "heart" is involved in the understanding.
v35-36: Faith precedes the miracle.
That entire sequence demonstrates prayers and the answering of prayers in short order.  Want your prayers answered?  Pray whatever Jesus would pray.  To figure out how to do that, see v24...
3 Nephi 20
v1-5: Progressive tutoring in administering the sacrament - as far as I can tell, last time, Jesus did all the breaking, this time, he has them do it.
v8: Repeated, proper participation in the sacrament ordinance should fill your soul.  If not, figure out why not, and change.
v16-21: Lots of scary things prophesied for the time just before the Lord comes again, but remember, that there are great blessings, protection, and power promised to those who make and keep covenants with God.
v25: Live so that others are blessed because you live.
v26: To be "turned away from your iniquities" - by whatever means, is a blessing.  Be grateful.
Trust Christ to gather and provide for his people.  Be one of his people!

There is an interesting phenomenon here that many think is only symbolism.  But I believe it to be a real phenomenon.
The "cloud" has been mentioned in the Bible many times as representing the "presence of God". (Ex 13:21; Num 9:15; Deut 1:33; 1 Ki 8:10; Isa 4:5; Eze 10:4; Matt 17:5; Mar 9:7; Luk 9:34; Rev 10:1 -- dozens more).
Some instances in scriptures are clearly symbolic.  But as some of these verses clearly indicate, it was more than just a symbol.  Quite often, when a "cloud" came down, it was because the presence of Jehovah was truly there.
I tend to believe that this wasn't like a cloud that we are thinking of.  It was "something" that obscured vision (e.g. something "clouds" our judgment).  But growing up with a professional photographer, I recognized that light can do some funny things.  If a light is too bright, it can obscure what it at the center, just as much as something which blocks light.  Bright light doesn't block, it overpowers.
I believe the "theophanic cloud" mentioned in scriptures was a divine analog of this light effect.
They were allowed to see Him descend because it was a second "condescension" for the lost sheep on the Wester continent.  He didn't expose His full glory.  But after He instituted the ordinances of the new dispensation to the Nephites, they were properly prepared to "look upon the face of God and live."  It was then that they were allowed to be present when Christ displayed His full glory to man.
Those further away could not see, essentially because of light effects.  But the 12 were right next to him.  And let's say they received the second comforter.  They could endure.  Because of their proximity, the light differential would have been different.
I'm not saying this is theologically accurate.  I'm just trying my best to explain something inexplicable with terms we are familiar with.

I'm not sure what you mean by the second part of your question, but a carol service is an extra church meeting where the congregation sings carols. (Sorry its the autocorrect which makes it come up as Carol and not Carol. It thinks I'm talking about a person called Carol.) A christmas carol is a hymn sung at Christmas like  Once in Royal David's City or While Shepherds Wash their Socks...err...Watch their Flocks by Night or Hark the Herald Angels Sing or...well you know the sort of thing. The carols are interspersed by "lessons" which are usually Bible passages read out, or else other poems or readings to do with Christmas. Back in the day we had a choir and I used to sing tenor in it. ( It took me ages to learn the tenor lines, but once you learn them they stick.) Back in the day it was also by candlelight. The electric lights were turned off and everyone held a candle - we're not allowed to do that any more because the church is an ancient heritage site and there's a fire risk.

I'm not sure what you mean by the second part of your question, but a carol service is an extra church meeting where the congregation sings carols. (Sorry its the autocorrect which makes it come up as Carol and not Carol. It thinks I'm talking about a person called Carol.) A christmas carol is a hymn sung at Christmas like  Once in Royal David's City or While Shepherds Wash their Socks...err...Watch their Flocks by Night or Hark the Herald Angels Sing or...well you know the sort of thing. The carols are interspersed by "lessons" which are usually Bible passages read out, or else other poems or readings to do with Christmas. Back in the day we had a choir and I used to sing tenor in it. ( It took me ages to learn the tenor lines, but once you learn them they stick.) Back in the day it was also by candlelight. The electric lights were turned off and everyone held a candle - we're not allowed to do that any more because the church is an ancient heritage site and there's a fire risk.

Absolutely right of course. "A weight only humility can bear and the backs of the proud will be broken."

I completely understand this desire.  FWIW, you already owe him a big favor.  Perhaps look at going and worshiping him through song as a means of thanking him.  If he can be humble enough to endure birth in a stable, perhaps you can endure knowing your wife is in the congregation.  Perhaps God will inspire very tall people to position themselves between you, or for lights to shine in your eyes so you can't see who's where, or something...
Whatever the case, prayers and best wishes for you, Jamie.  Hope you can enjoy the singing of Christmas hymns - we did that yesterday - the whole Sacrament meeting was just singing hymns (and hearing why so-n-so chose that hymn).

Lessons can be read in lots of different ways. I would be focussed on reading the lesson in such a way that it would have the biggest impact on those who hear it. 

Sorry, realizing that probably sounded critical.  Was trying to point out that the Lord knows difficulty and can help us do difficult things - by focusing on him and through his grace, you can find the strength and humility to go and maybe even enjoy the service.  And perhaps God will extend a little extra help, too, but if not, let his grace be enough.