SpiritDragon

This second idea of one's dna being a result of pre-mortal decisions and valiance is not a new idea. Many have ascribed this reasoning to the priesthood ban on blacks. However this is covered in the church essay on blacks and the priesthood as not being an official doctrine.

In eight years of marriage my wife and I have never had a TV subscription. We did pick up a digital antenna that let's us get 3-4 channels for free after the analog channels were disbanded. I always wanted a house with no TV at all, but we now have two (one came with the house we bought six months ago) and we do have a subscription to Netflix which means that unfortunately we watch more TV than we would if we did have regular TV like cable or satellite. We are also not sport fans so we don't miss that, and most of the programming does seem like junk so why pay. Like JaG said the news is on the internet and you don't have to watch for 45 minutes just to get to the part you're interested in. The one time I do wish I had a provider (and the only time I care much for sports) is when the Olympics are on. I can find quite a bit on the internet but I can't always see the events I want to. Also certain broadcasters appear to have the rights to certain events that they want you to pay to watch even online - and as much as I find it fun, I just won't pay. I've never used a PVR or any such device so I can honestly say that I don't even know what a modern TV watching experience is like, but I don't miss advertisements at all, and i don't miss waiting for a full week to watch the next episode of something of interest (hence with Netflix we can end up watching too much).

Have you read "Overdosed America" by John Abramson? It sounds like you might enjoy it. It is an interesting exploration of the corruption in the American medical climate. I found it very interesting myself. There is a terrible problem when watch dogs like the FDA are majority-funded by the pharmaceutical companies they are supposed to regulate - if they want to keep their funding they had better approve some drugs for the funders (no conflict of interest there) There's a whole lot of cahoots going on.

You're one smart fellow JaG. Where did you learn all this? Color me impressed.

Who's law is this? And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20: 10-12 Was this not the law in effect at the time Gator is speaking of? I'm fully in favour of supporting both the spirit and letter of the law, and I would tend to agree with what you have said about your feelings on it as well, but in this case I feel like Gator has a case. I'm not saying Christ broke the law in any way, but I am saying that on the surface it appears a contradiction that could be worth discussing. I mean the written word or "letter" of the law does seem to say that adulterers should be killed, yet in this case when asked for His thoughts on the matter He chose mercy instead of punishment, albeit without taking a stand one way or the other at first to avoid being trapped - on the one hand I suppose he would break the command "thou shalt not kill" and on the other hand break "such should be stoned to death" so He opted for the impasse of he who is without sin let him first cast a stone.

I find it interesting to see the different positions on the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. On my mission other missionaries liked to use the term spirit of the law to refer to a more lenient version of the law. For instance they would look at the curfew as a loose guideline with the intention to avoid getting into trouble, but as long as they weren't doing anything against the commandments they felt there was no reason to rush back "home" for the night. I always felt that simply staying out past curfew was in fact breaking a commandment specific to our situation and was therefore self evidently "getting into trouble" in a sense. Missionaries also have a rule about sleeping in the same room, but not the same bed. I generally feel that this rule is two-fold in spirit - A) it is a protection for missionaries for a variety of reasons - they can witness better as to the others whereabouts and it also makes sneaking out alone a bit more troublesome for those so inclined to do so. B) not sleeping in the same bed should essentially go without saying as to why it's in there, but the spirit of the law would seemingly dictate that it is to prevent unchaste encounters with your companion. I developed a tendency to bring this up when I had new companions explain to me that they were "spirit of the law missionaries"; I would refer to this particular rule and ask them if they would like to break the letter of the law by sleeping in the same bed, but uphold the spirit of the law by not fooling around. I got some weird looks, but they quickly caught on that I wasn't of the belief that the spirit of the law should be anything less than the letter of the law. I do think any time we try to justify one way or the other using the rationale of the spirit of the law we are in potentially dangerous territory, because we might not understand what the spirit of the law is in its entirety. There is safety in obeying the law period. Possible examples - Is the spirit of the law of tithing to remind us that everything we have comes from God? Or is it to teach us something about sacrifice or something else entirely? A combination of more things? Is pornography breaking the higher law of chastity to look on a woman and lust after her in your heart? Can appropriately dressed women be pornographic? where is the line drawn? Is it Sabbath breaking to do dishes on Sunday? You have six days to do your work and labour? The point is to do what you believe the spirit of God dictates while keeping the letter of the law. I myself don't think that I fully understand the law of tithing - I just pay it based on gross income (you can pay on net income, and I won't judge - I think about switching from time to time) I don't know really what blessings I get from it, but I don't plan to stop paying in order to find out what I lose. As for porn - I think it is important to guard our thoughts always, but certainly important to avoid provocative images and content designed to create lustful thoughts whether the individuals involved are fully dressed or fully exposed or any where in between. Some may contend that nudity can be artistic, and maybe for some it can be - for me I think it should be avoided. Sabbath breaking is such a wild area - my father-in-law seems to believe that home teaching is Sabbath breaking. I find it to be a perfectly uplifting Sabbath activity that keeps my focus on the Saviour. Does anyone want to touch face cards? Several general authorities have condemned the use of "playing cards" and "face cards" as evil time wasting vices that can lead to problems with gambling and other unwholesome activities by familiarity with the tools of the craft. I don't know too many members who follow this counsel though. It seems to be all but forgotten. As for the caffeine and the word of wisdom issue I find it intriguing. The word of wisdom was not enforced for something on the order of fifty years after the revelation was received "not by way of commandment" as a preparatory phase to when it would become mandatory for a temple recommend which is a requirement for important ordinances. I wonder if just as the early saints were given a long time to break into the idea of following the word of wisdom before it was later enforced strongly if the caffeinated beverages category could one day be a requirement, but is not at this time. I don't actually think it will ever be officially made policy, but having prophets and apostles say to avoid it is enough for me whether it is part of the word of wisdom or not. Does the church have any official policy on ear rings? I remember Gordon B. Hinckley giving a talk and letting the brethren know that ear rings are not for men and that sisters should only where one pair of ear rings. I wouldn't want to with-hold temple blessings from a sister because she wheres two ear rings in one ear or drinks Pepsi, but when I was looking for a spouse these things would have struck me as red flags that this individual doesn't follow prophetic counsel the same way I plan to and therefore isn't who I'm looking for.

I haven't read it myself, but I think that Neal A Maxwell's "Moving in His Majesty and Power" might be a good fit. Here is a brief description from LDS books: If such a thing were possible, Elder Neal A. Maxwell became even more reflective and tender toward the end of his life. Just before his passing, in July 2004, he completed this final book of thoughts and reflections. In it are three chapters adapted from landmark talks that have not previously appeared in any book — “The Cosmos,” “Free to Choose,” and “Unto This Very Purpose.” Using a style reminiscent of his Whom the Lord Loveth, Elder Maxwell also ponders such themes as suffering, dealing with the onslaught of evil in today's world, and preparing to live in a celestial culture. Filled with original thoughts expressed in his distinctive and lyrical style and celebrating his love of the Lord, this book is vintage Elder Maxwell and a fitting benediction to his vast body of inspirational writings. Anyway when you mentioned a scientific gospel mind and astronomy in the same place I thought to myself - look into Maxwell.

Hey guys I`m interested in broadening my horizons even more... In Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Song I`ve heard a variety of different add-ons echoed at the end of lines over the years. Certainly some are more common than others, I`m curious what renditions you`ve heard and prefer. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (sometimes echoed reindeer) Had a very shiny nose (Sometimes like a light bulb follows here or line 4 or both) (also heard flashlight) and if you ever saw it (echo saw it) you would even say it glows (see line 2) All of the other reindeer (echo) used to laugh and call him names (most commonly pinocchio for some reason, but I`ve heard others) they never let poor Rudolph (echo) Join in any Reindeer games (most commonly Monopoly, I`ve also heard parcheesy and poker) Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say (Ho Ho Ho) Rudolph with your nose so bright won`t you guide my sleigh tonight Then all the reindeer loved him and they shouted out with glee (Yippie) Rudolph the red nosed reindeer you`ll go down in history (like Washington, Columbus and most recently Charlie Brown - I`d never heard that one before this year that I can remember) The other night at a staff party everyone was singing Rudolph impromptu and all used the same add-ons magically - My wife claimed they were the only ones she`s ever heard and thinks I`m crazy for thinking there are different versions. I think it must be somewhat regional - Is there an "authorized" version that standardizes the bonus lyrics that any one is aware of? Any ideas on the source of these echoing words? Summary of points to discuss: What words have you heard echoed? Do you have preferences? Any idea on the sources and a standardized version?

Okay I came across one today that does really sit wrong with me. Fortunately I don't stew about remembering words that make me upset all the time as that would be sad. The word is hack / hacked / hacking I have no problem with the word being used to described swinging an axe or hatchet while attacking a tree (or something else to be hacked in this manner) and I have no problem with it being used to describe breaking through computer security passwords and firewalls etc. as would be done to hack into a computer or network to access sensitive files. What I don't even understand how it came to be is the use of the word to describe "cheats" or "made easy" in regard to any/everything. Suddenly we have video game hacks that used to just be called secrets, glitches, and/or cheats. We have diet hacks that appear to refer to ways to make dieting easier or more effective or more convenient. I certainly find it even more strange in the context of church related lessons such as hacking the gospel - it just sounds wrong. You either live it or you don't, no hacking required.

I'd never heard this said before today. We had our work Christmas door judging contest and the judge said that the winning door gave the feels - wow, what a strange one indeed.

How much mastery do you have over him? I understand that he is supposed to serve the US people, and perhaps he does to the extent that he can pander to voters to stave of the republicans. I personally believe that both parties are corrupt and the true master of the president is the secret combinations that have vested interests in putting them (the presidents) in place and using them as a puppet to do their bidding.

Pretty much anything goes. If it doesn't fit - get a bigger stocking :)

My wife's visiting teachers could call their ladies the monthly victims.

What I can't get my head around is why events that would cause me to want a gun more is supposed to get people to willingly give up their guns. I know when our liberal government in Canada under Chretien implemented gun registration it was the biggest waste of tax dollars imaginable for an essentially unenforceable policy. Fortunately we got rid of it - and hopefully it never returns. Naturally you're correct that the criminals don't run up and register a weapon prior to committing a crime. It only creates one more thing for law abiding citizens to comply with and gives the criminals another thing to ignore.

Reading scriptures in the temple is nice, but it's generally just reading while waiting for a session to begin or my wife to finish changing so we can go. There apparently used to be a study area in the temple closest to my home where people could just go and soak up the temple experience and study scriptures. I would have enjoyed this. When I study the scriptures I can stop at any time I want and think over a particular point and write down notes and then proceed to dig further and increase my understanding. I can also discuss what I read with family and friends or bring things up here. When I go to the temple it is like I'm sitting in on a lecture where I can't take notes and I can't stop the lecture to think about certain points in much greater detail. By the time I get to the Celestial room I've lost a lot of what I was hoping to retain and think on further. On top of all that I'm not really supposed to discuss much of it outside the temple setting. It's a real struggle for me. I feel like if my only access to scriptures involved listening to them in 2-3 hour blocks without pausing I'd find it more difficult as well and would get much less from it. I'd actually love to be able to read a manuscript of the endowment while there and perhaps only focus on one area while cross referencing with other scriptures (taking notes would help a lot too) to establish connections I hadn't yet considered. Alas I'm left with this weakness always feeling like I'm supposed to be learning something that I probably never will.

Do other inconsistencies in the English language bother you the same way? For instance should bough be said buff to match tough, or nature have a soft "a" sound to match mature or vice versa? I'm really curious now.

Just before going through the temple my first time one of my friends had just finished going through in preparation for his mission. He ended up leaving the church instead saying that freaky expletive stuff went on in their and he wanted nothing to do with it. He was still down with the rest of the church but didn't like the temple or agree with what goes on in there. His parents felt bad that they had not helped prepare him better and had a brief conversation with me about how everything there just builds on gospel principles already taught and that there should be no surprises. I went to the temple the first time wondering what on earth would happen in there that no one was allowed to talk about, but also trusting that it must be sacred - I never believed the nonsense that goes around about what happens. I felt it was an interesting experience, but it didn't ever bother me. A nice Elders Quorum President wanted to ensure I became more comfortable with going and set time aside to take me on a few more occasions. He even took me for chinese food to discuss things about it. These early temple experiences were nice, even if unfamiliar to me. On my mission we could go to the temple on preparation day. My trainer would make us get at 5:30 am to travel to the bountiful temple from near Hill AFB (Clinton, Sunset, Clearfield all runs together). I ended up sick and really needed to rest on P-day, but my trainer would have none of it and as a greenie I wasn't ready to stand up to him so I went along and didn't get my rest which kept me ill for six-weeks. I was too tired and unwell to ever get anything out of it and started to despise being there. I later regained some enjoyment of the temple - especially doing initiatory and baptisms. I can tend to struggle with the changes that have taken place over time, even since I've been attending. I suppose this is what ongoing revelation is for, but it seems like ordinances aren't supposed to change; hence we don't Baptize by sprinkling and so on. So it eats away at me when I'm there remembering how certain things were done and how they are done and knowing that many changes have happened along the way. I also had the unfortunate experience of a terrible wedding day that further taints my temple experience somewhat, because even to go do sealings there is always a part of me that feels like I missed out on something special that day. My wife and her family insisted that we had to have the day over-full of non-essential crap so we didn't have time to enjoy the actually important part of the day and reflect on the commitment/covenant being made. Maybe I'm just weak minded but I always feel like going to the temple re-opens wounds and hurt feelings. I also find that so many people seem to talk about how much they learn in the temple - I can't say I've ever felt this way either. I learn more reading in the scriptures than I do attending the temple. I might not be wired to pick up the lessons that are supposedly there for me and it makes me feel stupid - even with an IQ score and patriarchal blessing that suggest I'm actually quite bright. I have the further trouble of having lived so close to a temple that I could literally walk there within five minutes, that the idea of driving for an hour both ways makes it hard to pull off - there is pretty much only time on Saturday and I have so much other stuff to catch up on Saturday that my temple attendance is woefully infrequent these days. Add a wife that takes two-years to get ready and is incapable of being punctual and the added blessing of a little baby and my outlook of improving attendance doesn't appear to be going up. To summarize, I know I should love the temple, I would like to say I love the temple, I have felt the peace the temple has to offer (but inconsistently), I love to go for walks around the temple, but I don't love going through the temple.

The list is probably fine for certain locations, but needs to be clarified. These are nice items to have if you are in an emergency that requires you to stay put, but not too practical if you need to get out. It is too much stuff to be concerned with carrying and will likely put a target on your back as the person to mug for supplies if you did try to carry it. I'd agree that the electrical cord is for less serious emergencies - and am I blind or is there no mention of matches/ lighters/ flint and steel (any fire starter)? I mean I see the gasoline and TP but you still need something to get it going :) I'd suggest starting with minimal food supply, a portable small water supply and a water filter (I like the Sawyer for it's portability and longevity), some form of fire starter, a poncho, a space blanket, a multi tool (or at least a good knife), basic first aid supplies as a starting point for basic minimal things you could essentially inconspicuously carry in a purse or fanny pack so as not to draw attention. If the plan is to have items on hand to stick around than portability doesn't become as much of an issue and to some extent the sky is the limit - I'd still want the above as a minimum but of course more food and water could be useful, better blankets and coats - clothing etc. depending on your weather in the area. Heck maybe even a nice supply of firewood. The trick would still be not to paint your house as a target for others who aren't prepared for a crisis to raid and take your stuff. It's a good idea to conceal your food storage, not boast your NRA affiliation, hide your ammo stockpile and so on. If all your neighbors are thinking they'll just come to your house in an emergency... you have a problem.

clever

Hey guys, I'm just curious what your thoughts are on changing terminology to Daesh. Supposedly it is the preferred term many world leaders would like us to use as it delegitimizes the extremist organisation somewhat. I found this to be an interesting read on the topic that may be more accurate than other reports - but who knows really? https://www.freewordcentre.com/blog/2015/02/daesh-isis-media-alice-guthrie/

Back on the somewhat related topic of annoying pronunciation - I dislike Schedule said Shedule as if the c blended in and didn't make a hard C "K" sound. I'll never understand how leftenant is drawn from lieutenant and I don't care for mature being said with a "t" in the middle - in this case it should soften into a pleasant sound more closely resembling a "ch" it just hurts my ears to hear it said maT-oo-er instead of macheur. What a language - we can spell fish ghoti - the gh sound from enough (and tough etc.), the o sound from any number of words (lets say Clinton) and the ti from motion gives us the sounds for fish.

Maybe we need to put trigger warnings in all the gun free zones.

I don't love texting abbreviations and find them particular reprehensible in actual conversation. Why would you actually say LOL or L - O - L instead of "you know / like" actually laughing. I've encountered people doing this more than once and IMHO FWIW I say NIMBY to it all.

I rarely play any video games any more. Usually I'll play a little bit of curling on the wii with my wife around Christmas. Back in the day though I loved Zelda - the original NES version was as hard as could be, and I'd get stuck in those darn magic mazes forever - they just don't make games like that anymore. I also loved the SNES Zelda - A Link to the Past. I agree with the comments about those dangerous chickens... what kid didn't try to kill one though :) It makes me want to dig out the SNES over the Christmas break and push through once more. However I might suck myself into my all time fav - Final Fantasy 3 (or six if you're like that - it's 3 to me). I mean it is like reading an adventure book that you're part of. What other game can boast making you learn the lines to the song in an opera of all things in addition to the other fun. Now for the kicker - with Super Mario and Zelda being mentioned - did any one else wake up before the chickens to watch mario 3 and legend of Zelda cartoons? My brother used to get me up at 5:30 in the morning to watch our nintendo cartoons. It was painful to get up so early, but it was worth it in my seven year old mind.

NightSG that reminds me of something Don Cherry would wear :)