JohnsonJones

Probably, but with how corrupt they are, I'd imagine a situation like last year will pop up again and they will ignore their own rules in favor of putting who they think will matter most instead.

I've only read the first few posts. After reading what Trump said, I do not understand why people are so offended by it. I am a Veteran, and from my interpretation of Trump, I would actually agree with him. It is FAR better to have an award you can appreciate and enjoy, than one you cannot. From what I see he was saying, most people who get the Medal of Honor are either dead (so you aren't going to appreciate it, your family may, but you won't be) or wounded rather badly (which may also mean you don't enjoy life as much and may not enjoy things as well...including the medal of Honor). On the otherhand, most who get the Medal of Freedom are going to be able to enjoy it and the rewards of receiving it. In that light, yes, I agree, I'd rather get the Medal of Freedom than the Medal of Honor. I'd argue that in regards to SERVICE to our nation, the Medal of Honor outshines the Medal of Freedom by a great amount, but as far as enjoying receiving it... In general, it's probably going to be better to be someone getting the Medal of Freedom than the Medal of Honor.

I haven't heard of this show. That looks like the Provo Temple in the Background. What is the show about though. Polygamous marriages aren't allowed in the Temple or within our Church.... Is it just about normal LDS women?

Well, the Steakhouse in Amarillo I think could be this place... The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Was just there this past Spring! Not the best Steak I've ever had, but decent. As for my steak...don't normally care about what the cut is as long as it is decently SEASONED. The better one is at seasoning it while it is cooking (marinades work as well...not all marinades are made equal) the better the steak in general. I prefer mine cooked medium. I've had far too many medium cooked medium rare (or on one or two occasions...rare) and far too often medium well. At least medium keeps it somewhere in the vicinity of where I like it. Still, as well as it's seasoned well...I can probably still eat it...unless it is well done. In which case it becomes unpalatable for me normally.

Glad it wasn't you who got killed last weekend! (For enlightenment, it was more of a Florida State Seminole Football team getting stung to death by a group of Georgia Yellow Jackets).

I think the pro-choice vs. Pro-Life debate is FAR more complicated than simply whether one is protecting the sanctity of life or not. In some cases, abortion IS protecting life. IT is something that many do NOT wish to acknowledge.... (and, despite what I'm about to say, I personally would hope to NEVER be in a position where I would participate in an abortion or approve of one). Many states have effectively BANNED abortion for any situation. Sure, some of their laws say that there is an exception for incest or rape, but the way it turns out in actuality means that it's not going to happen, EVEN IN cases of incest or rape. However, FAR more importantly is where the health and life of the mother is at stake. A popular story that arose shortly after Roe vs. Wade was repealed was a prospective Mother who had a Miscarriage. It should have been a simple procedure to medically take care of this. Instead, she, the doctor, and a few others where charged with crimes. It's NOT just in Conservative states either (very liberal areas you may be surprised about also have these cases). US Women are being jailed for having miscarriages She was Jailed for losing a pregnancy A Black woman was criminally charged after a miscarriage This also leads to doctors being scared to actually medically assist or HELP save lives, including lives of woman who have had miscarriages and NEED the aftereffects to be taken care of. Doctors weigh in about ruinous litigation preventing miscarriage care Atlanta Doctors reluctant to treat miscarriages fearing criminal penalty They had miscarriages and new abortion laws obstructed treatment When the fetus is not viable, but threatens the life of the mother, is it protecting the sanctity of life to force the mother to continue to carry it, OR WORSE, to carry a dead fetus which will actually eventually ALSO lead to her death? I would say, protecting and respecting the sanctity of life is to SAVE life. If one life is already going to be gone or dead already, PROTECTING OR RESPECTING the Sanctity of Life is to save the life of the mother or individual who is still alive but won't be if you don't take medical action. The problems I'm seeing today with the current Abortion laws which outlaw abortion in some US states is that they are more concerned with one facet of the picture, without consideration of other facets. It is similar to Roe vs. Wade. The argument in Roe vs. Wade boiled down to the point that government had no business in your personal medical care. Your personal medical care was between you and YOUR DOCTOR...government was NOT able to dictate your medical care. A government should NOT be able to interfere with medical care in that way. It was Casey vs. PP that made it so that it was a "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE" with or without an actual doctor's decision. Many Conservatives got confused and basically used the decision of Casey vs. PP for Roe vs. Wade instead. They could NOT see that Roe vs. Wade actually had MANY benefits (the least of which was probably not allowing the government to be able to intrude in your medical decisions, or, despite the fears the ACA would enact it, create death panels...all of which are now legal for the government to do as Roe vs. Wade was done away with) to them as they got confused between the two cases. In the same way, they now go overboard with how much prosecution, feat, and litigation they will level against Doctors simply trying to do their jobs. That's not so say that the right to choose is the correct ANSWER. The idea is correct that FAR too many took abortion FAR too lightly and treated it too casually. It is what got us into this situation where you have groups on the far end of the spectrum trying to fight it out rather than someone stepping in and saying....wait a second... However, the way many states are going about it today not only prevent the casual individuals who do not take abortion as the serious thing it is (and it is a serious medical procedure as well as a serious moral situation), but also prevent situation where it IS a life saving procedure to save the life of an individual that actually has a medical necessity. So, with HOW it has been framed in the United States over the past few years I think is NOT necessarily a respect for the Sanctity of Life (if so, than why do they wish for someone to have to have a baby, but then don't give the children food and want to do away with programs such as WIC and school lunches for children) so much as it is letting the religious zealotry of the Catholics (which used to be considered the Great and Abominable by some...believe it or not) to institute their ideals upon the rest of the American Public (Catholic, because they were the ones that original were simply just against Birth Control and Abortion without any concern for what happened AFTER the birth of the child, whereas most other religions ALSO were concerned with the feeding and clothing of the children and poor in ADDITION to concerns over the birth of children when I was growing up...which yes...was a long time ago for some of you). The Church has ALWAYS had a stance that Abortion was a very SERIOUS thing and should only really be a consideration in extreme circustances...and even then...only after prayer about it. However, IT was allowed to occur in medically relevant situations. HOWEVER, the church ALSO had programs put in place to try to ensure that this child that was born ALSO had the care it needed (either through child placement with a family that would love and care for it, or with help via the Church Welfare to help train and teach, as well as cloth and feed, the mother and family). I think the church's way is the best way, not this path that we have forged forth reliant on what I see as Catholic dogma.

Back from my trips. As I thought, unpopular on these forums (and many claiming he could not be one and even some saying I am evil or wrong for making the predictions). I can see, as predicted, that Americans cannot see what others can see. Whether or not Trump is THE Anti-Christ is unknown yet, but IF he gets to be President, than I expect he could be the Anti-Christ and it would become obvious to those who are looking. The situation in the Middle East is pretty dire right now. It's not reported in the US news (though I AM appalled at how the US news is going about things now that I am back. It appears that the News universally have sided with Kamala in a clear and blatant bias. It's like a constant flood of them trying to impress upon people to vote for her). However, his being an Anti-Christ (note, there are MANY Anti-Christs, and though hopefully it is hard for anyone of us to become one, they exist and in many instances hide in plain site. Many are wolves in sheeps clothing. When they take actions to destroy the Belief of the Lord or other things, even if it's overseas outside of the view of Americans, and fight to destroy the Lords work...than yes...that probably qualifies them as an Anti-Christ. There are several that are alive today, though pointing them out would also be unpopular on these forums as they tend to be men with money and power, and though many CLAIM to be Christian and worship, their ACTIONS show that they do not do these things). My initial reference was Korihor from my Book of Mormon studies that brought about my thoughts and realizations on these matters. I also have another prediction, that will also be as unpopular perhaps. IF Trump fails to win the election, we will have a second attempt at doing what he tried to to originally on January 6th. Instead of having the election certified, they will not certify it. THIS time around, he has Mike Johnson to push this, and they SHOULD have a majority (if narrow) in the House. They may actually suceed this time, regardless of whatever outcome the vote says SHOULD happen. Even if it is a LANDSLIDE win by Harris, I expect this is going to be something they try. They've set the cogs in place to go into motion should he lose the electoral vote. There will be an attempt to have the election not be certified. IF they are successful In the Senate, I expect they will try to disqualify VP Harris from participating (and she WILL want to participate). The idea, is if they can't straight up win in the Senate (and they may be able to, but if not, the next option goes in their favor), they will push it to the Supreme Court. IF they can push it to the Supreme Court BEFORE it goes to the Senate (which I expect they would prefer even more), they will expect to have a majority in the Supreme Court. At this point, if it gets to this point, I expect the election will LITERALLY stand on a thread. I expect they have 3 guaranteed votes already, with a fourth vote likely in their favor. This leaves them ONE more vote they have to get to basically have the Supreme Court side with them, and by side with them I am saying that the Supreme Court will just outright put Trump in as President. This is already the game plan. It's being planned on already. Even if Trump loses the election, there is a good chance with the pieces in place that he could become president. IF HE DOES, than I would say the odds of him being the Anti-Christ are pretty strong (being killed doesn't necessarily have to refer to an actual death or wound, but could refer to the death of hopes or visions or other items in relation to that place of power being restored or seemingly coming out of something from which it seemed was condemned). Either way, I fear for the MIddle East. A bad situation is getting worse over there, and the US has thus far tried to support Israel as well as broker peace. Trump's crony's over there have not been useful or helpful, and it could boil over if we are not lucky. Ukraine also is not as cheery as I see things being posted about it in the US. They are in a bad way. If Trump gets to be President I expect he will stop aid to Ukraine (as he has pushed before and has had others seemingly push more recently), which could lead to a total collapse of Ukraine and Russia gaining power. I then expect Russia will exert even MORE influence to destabilize the Middle East (if the Middle East isn't already at in a Hot War by that point) and War WILL come to the Middle East. I HOPE it won't, but things don't look cheery on the other side of the world right now. Be glad we live in the US. PS: Hopefully all my predictions don't come to pass and everyone here can have a good laugh at me later. I AM saying them now though, because if my thoughts ARE accurate, at least ONE person raised the flags about what was coming and when we look back we can say not everyone was simply ignoring the situation. Hopefully, I can be wrong though. I will also say, despite my commentary on Trump, I am pretty dismayed at how the media is promoting Harris. It's basically a one sided affair. I am back and turn on the TV and I am BOMBARDED by Kamala Harris promotions. My personal opinion is that Kamala Harris isn't all that great of a person either from what I understand. I would rather have the full picture and both sides than to basically have the TV constantly be pushing their praise of her on me rather than a more analytical report of what she actually is like and her plans for the future and WHY they are different than now, as well as why she didn't ALREADY pursue these things in her current office rather than putting them off for the future if she is elected.

I am currently still away and have not gotten home yet. I’m typing this because I felt strongly I should, and so I am on a satellite internet connecting to the forums. I’ve had recent experiences in researching what some may consider great men in history, but I have come to the realization that many of them were very evil men and in fact were, of themselves, antichrist. None of them are the antichrist prophesied in Revelations, but they are antichrist, and as such are an antichrist. That these men are actively disobeying the commandments is no mystery, and that they are flagrant in how they think they can get away with doing evil is obvious. Even knowing the evil that they men do, and what they represent, people still support them. WHY? This is the thing that I’ve been reading in my scriptures and pondering about. Recently in Come Follow Me (yes, I still read and study, even when not at home) there was the subject of another Anti-Christ. Why did anyone follow him? In that same light, something came to me as I pondered on this that will be very unpopular in these forums I think. Donald Trump is either THE Antichrist or is an Antichrist. He fits the mold. He fits the same things that others from history have. Why does this matter to me? Well, if he is THE Antichrist, then him winning the election is much more likely. He had to have (died) been seemingly vanquished and beaten to be able to (rise from the dead) be able to rise again. I have seen recently how deep inroads Russia has had with nations in the Middle East. They have claws deep into Iran right now, along with others in Syria, and basically are proliferate around the fMiddle East. They, along with China are itching to exercise that power are basically right now, are only held in check due to fear of what the US will do. I expect that if Trump is THE Antichrist (rather than just an AntiChrist) he will withdraw support from Ukraine. With the US out of the picture Russia will be able to resolve what it wants in Ukraine and be able to refocus it’s efforts elsewhere. Either in competition with China, or in conjunction, there will be race for power in the Middle East. If Trump withdraws from NATO, that gives Russia an even easier way to focus on the Middle East without worry about NATO. If this happens, they will try to eliminate the only other power in the Middle East that really could threaten their hold there, which is Israel. I expect Hamas (also connected to Russia AND Iran, though you may not hear such things in the US currently) will be a distraction of what is to become the REAL even, and with the US out of NATO and not supporting Ukraine, I expect not much support will go towards Israel either. It will stand alone, and it will be under siege, possibly within the next few years to a decade out. For this to happen, the Antichrist has to come to power and be able to do such things so that prophecy can happen. But, even if he is NOT THE antichrist, Trump is still an antichrist. In the scriptures it says, even the most elect shall be deceived. When we read about the antichrist in past decades we always wondered how the elect could be deceived by one who probably would be so obviously evil. Well, even if he is not THE ANTICHRIST...he is an antichrist and seeing how those who claim to be christian fawn over him...I think we can see our obvious answer of how this would occur. Even if not THE Antichrist, as an antichrist he still has a master working for him to give him power in this earthly existence. The power and influence of the adversary is tremendous at this time, and he influences all corners of political, national, and international thought. A great many in our nation and worldwide are greatly influenced to do as he wants, and because of this, we live in a dark time. In this time of great wickedness many evil and wicked men will come to power, and the closer we get to the Second coming the more of them that will gain power to be able to spread the wickedness and horror of their master who they surely serve. The closer we get to the Lord’s coming, the greater amount of those Leaders who do the exact opposite of our commandments and the teachings of the Lord will come to power to rule and reign over us. Great afflictions, pestilence, and terror will come with that as the Earth groans under the wickedness of men. So, this is the prediction of things to come (and I know there are many who will disagree with what I’ve written here, and we can hope that I am wrong, as these are scary things I have written out) brought on by my reflection on recent readings in the Book of Mormon and things I have been finding over the summer. Not a fun picture, but I felt I should write a word of warning of what my thoughts have come upon, if they are in the slightest true at all. BUT also, a word of comfort I suppose, for if he IS THE Antichrist who is prophesied, then we KNOW he has to have the power to do the things foretold. We KNOW he has to be able to do these things so that Prophecy can be fulfilled. How is this comforting, because it IS prophesied of and that if the Revelations are true, and these things have to come to pass, then we know that the Lord is coming soon and with him the Millennial reign. That we are close, close enough that within just a few years what has been waited upon for thousands of years may finally occur. I expect I may be dead within the next 5 to 6 years if that is the case (personal revelations I’ve gotten from my patriarchal blessing and otherwise regarding what could happen to me), but the fact that the Second Coming may be so close is actually a great comfort. We know terrible things have to happen before it occurs (the Siege of Israel and Jerusalem, the death of two prophets in the streets, the things we see know of evil being called good and good being called evil, Wars and rumors of wars being spread through the earth, the uneasiness and tumult of the earth itself), but they have to happen. It is dark before dawn, but when it is dark, we know dawn is coming. I hope you all are well, as you can tell, it’s been an interesting summer for me thus far. Hope to come back home soon. PS: This is not an endorsement of any candidate or any politician. I have been very concerned over the US elections coming in November, and this was an answer I have gotten. I do not know if Trump will win or not, but if he IS THE ANTICHRIST he will need to attain power again in some form or fashion. However, in the same way, I have learned not to fret about the election as much as what happens is all in progressing the Lord's plan in the end. No matter what political end of the spectrum you feel you support, right now evil men fill every end of it with wicked plans and secret organizations. All of this is known to the Lord and is necessary for him to allow that the revelations and prophecies about our time are fulfilled. I find comfort in this as the LORD knows what is conspiring in the hearts of man and in the end, all things are known and planned for in his great plan for us and our world.

Guatemalan Tostada. They have meat on them as opposed to some places in Mexico. Most likely my last post perhaps for awhile...as I'm going on my summer research trip soon. Not to Mexico or Central America though. Maybe the last one I take forever as well (this or next years perhaps, I'm getting upwards in age to the point that it's actually becoming harder than it has been ever before).

You live in Utah...correct? Zillow listing of Duplex Home in Utah This is NOT a 2000 foot house. It's a 1300 square foot house/condo. It's a duplex/triplex, so not even fully your own house if you buy it. 3 bed, 2.5 bath with that square footage. It's going for 360K. If an individual was to try to put down a 20% downpayment, they would have to pay 72K just for the downpayment. This means you would have a 288K left to pay in monthly installments. Let's say you go for the lower payments on a longer fix rate loan at the current rate (saying you have excellent credit, of course) which the index says is currently 7.04% (which is a heck of a lot better than the 11% I paid years ago). Using this site to calculate mortgage payments mortgage calculator and using this site to use current interest rates bankrate.com/mortgages That's a monthly payment of $1,923.81 each month. You are only supposed to have a maximum of 1/3 of your monthly salary paying for housing, so if we take that formula (despite many paying 50% or more these days) you would get 5,771.43 cents per month that you need to make this payment. Average Salary in utah according to (quick google search) this site is Ziprecruiter salaries in Utah 48,898/year. 5,771.43 needed to afford this house means you need to make 69,257.16 per year. The 75th percentile earns 61,784K per year (still not enough to afford the house). The Top Earners have an average of 76K (finally, enough to buy the HOUSE...but THAT's what some people call a STARTER house...and it's not even the FULL HOUSE!). Utah is actually in a BETTER situation than much of the nation currently and the job market is booming. If it looks like that in Utah...and THAT's one of the TOP areas of the nation currently...well.... That's BEFORE we include the higher prices of fuel and food that's occurred due to the influx of money from the PPP and other monies that flooded the market due to policies that came out in 2020 and continued through 2021. I paid around 89K for a 2,600 Square foot house (at around 11% interest if I recall correctly) 30 years ago (maybe a little longer than that). That should mean it would be around 300K today in regards to inflation. Instead, homes near it are selling for 500 - 600K which don't even have the same square footage (those selling are around 500 sq feet less). Mine is evaluated at more than that for taxes (which ANNOYS THE HECK OUT OF ME, I need some way to lower the property taxes I feel). The cost of housing has outpaced the rate of inflation by a LOT in our area. None of my kids could afford my house today, and they are making far more than I was making when I bought it! When talking about current concerns with students when discussing current events, many times they voice concerns about various items. ONE of the BIG reasons for not wanting to have children or have a family is....it's too expensive today. They can't imagine ever even owning a home...and THESE ARE THE COLLEGE KIDS that should expect to have a higher pay than those who don't go to college. Looking at Utah's prices just now, I may actually see their point even more clearly...as I am surprised at how cheap the houses are in Utah (from what I've read at times on the board it sounded as if houses were a LOT more expensive than what I just read and saw) currently. You DO have a governor there that made national news a few months back with a housing initiative to lower housing costs in Utah...perhaps that sentiment is something found in Utah that is affecting some of the prices there as it's lower than some other urban areas in the West (where a majority of people live). Housing is cheaper in some areas out east, but so is the average pay. (PS: Costs are not the ONLY reasons kids are talking about why they don't want families, there is a GREAT deal of despair and unhopeful future casting by many students in light of what they see the older generations doing in regards to how THEY perceive climate change occurring, how older generations don't seem to care about their children's financial plights or the rising cost of living, fear of pollution in general with things such as microplastics and PFAS pollution, etc. It's not just money that I hear about, but I'd say it's one of the BIG three items that they talk about when discussing their futures and how depressed many of them are about it. That said, I also think that the statements about there being a mental health crisis in the US is true. I feel that many of these kids are extremely depressed and that's probably also influencing a LOT of how they feel about the future and various aspects concerning it. I'd say at least a third of the students are in a more depressed attitude over the past few years since they came back from Covid restrictions. However, the fact is that the attitude (whether one feels it is true or not) is that the costs of living are too high and they CANNOT afford to have a family or children even if they WANTED to. It's a matter of whether they FEEL they can afford it, regardless of whether it is true or not. BECAUSE many of them feel that they cannot afford it, this is probably going to heavily affect how many actually DO have children in the future. I'd say we are looking at drastic declines in the number of children born over the next two decades just from what I've seen from students and their attitudes currently unless someone does something to change those attitudes. Part of that is either showing by ACTION (rather than words...words are easy, actions actually do something) that things are affordable...OR to MAKE them affordable if they are not. IMO...of course.

It's not just one side, it's both sides. Sure, one side is encouraging people in ways that will have them decrease the population by their lifestyle choices. The other is making it TOO EXPENSIVE for people to WANT to have families. Which is worse? The one that tries to convince them to CHOOSE a lifestyle that is against a family? Or the one that makes it IMPOSSIBLE to do so without living on welfare or other state subsidy (which ironically those who support such price increases are also against). Last time we saw this type of stuff on this type of scale it took a world war to get us out of it. Anyone who think this is only one side (Conservative or Liberal) isn't paying attention. The adversary OWNS both sides. His solution is that no matter which side you choose, it's HIS side. In such a situation one needs the spirit and prayer to choose the right or, as the Prophet has warned, without the spirit we will also be lost among most of the western population which is so consumed by these things today that the things of the Lord are tossed aside in favor of the world's morality and pressures.

In my selfish manner, I've hoped that any book I've read I get to take with me. Sure, it's not physical, but if we have a perfect memory of all our guilt (and thus probably other things as well) in the hereafter, I have this though that any book I've read I'll also have a perfect memory of. We could reproduce them there! Terribly infantile of me...I know. The other thought that crossed my mind is that we are just one world. Imagine all the other worlds and the histories they have. If they have a library of those histories, there could be an eternity of history to study and read! I must admit, I also love libraries.

The Engineering department and what happened to the Draftsmen in our stake. As I said, it may be different in Texas (actually, must be from what you stated). The very AutoCad with BIM and Revit are what drove the draftsmen out and the computer techs in. Also, very weird that Texas schools aren't teaching CAD. It's required along with other courses for Civil and Mechanical. Is your son working for you or something as well (that seems to be what you implied)? Of course, if you are a general engineer or electrical or some other field (computer, bio, etc) you are not required to have it, but for those in the Civil and Mechanical (and probably structural and environmental) fields it's taught quite regularly. MIT, Rose-Hulman, and all the other Engineering schools have CAD and other courses in their syllabus and on campus (normally a 500 level from what I've seen) and many times multiple courses in it which also build on each other. It's very odd that you are stating that schools aren't teaching their engineers this when I KNOW the top schools in the nation that I've visited and looked at DO teach these courses (and most also now cover other things as well such as the aforementioned Revit and BIM stuff). (Edit: In legal situations questions such as things do come up as well and are pertinent in some accidents and in regards to the processes that led up to them). PS: Perhaps there is some disconnect between the schools I am aware of and know of and their departments and what is going on in Texas or the schools your company hires from? There may be schools which do not have any Engineering Computer literacy courses, though with how our school and others seem to work, it looks as if Engineering (not the electrical or bios, but the more dirt and mechanical ones) is almost ALL done on computers with how they teach it these days with various programs that students work with. It could be your work is hiring from those schools instead which have no training it these things...which would be odd and put them at a distinct disadvantage compared to others...but hey, could be happening. I imagine in that scenario draftsmen could be still needed, but draftsmen in general have been a declining profession for some years now elsewhere and many engineering companies no longer use them. PPS: Also, for those who don't use their engineers, many are outsourcing these days as it is cheaper. In that light, if you don't use engineers for BIM, Solidworks, Pro-E, Revit, BIM and don't outsource but hire Americans instead...Kudos to you.

Quick listen on my part. Skipped through it somewhat. I. Asks all in favor who support the temple to stand up. 2/3s of those attending stand up. all on the chair's left. The 1/3 on the chair's right do not stand up. II. Gives Valerie 27 minutes to speak A. Normal Laws do not allow churches in U or R districts. 1. Does not have compatibility with the surrounding areas. 2. Are restricted to a 19 ft ceiling height, but temple will have a 35 foot ceiling height. B. The neighborhood is zoned as residential zoning. The Temple is a commercial zoned building. 1. In order to do so they had to change the laws and make a loophole. a. This loophole is not done for any other religion, b. There is separation between the government and religion c. Showing favoritism to a specific religion is forbidden by the constitution and other laws. d. They did this by spot zoning which is illegal in some states (but I note, obviously not nevada). 2. This was done by Spot Zoning and as such indicates corruption and favortism. a. Once again, showing favoritism to a specific religion is not allowed by the law 3. This is putting a commercial zoning in the middle of a residential neighborhood and detracts from it being a residential neighborhood. 1. It will be a substantial burden on the neighborhood due to several factors (lighting, obstructing view, etc). 2. Worship for the church could be anywhere else, even a normal commercial area rather than a residential. C. Goes on long winded rant restating the above items over again. III. Calls in others who are for the temple, they also have equal time. A. First up is the Stake president of the area around where the temple will be built. 1. He lives 1700 feet from the spot. 2. He is in favor of the Temple 3. His membership in the stake also live in the area around the temple (implies they are the majority). 4. The members want the temple. B. Others come up and basically reflect what the Stake President says (implying that most of those in that neighborhood actually want the temple there). C. Others come up for and against. Most of those against are saying it will be an eyesore, light pollution, etc. I have summarized the arguments as I spottily heard them and listed them above. I think the lady who is opposed to it may actually have a case...IF SHE HAS THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A LONG EXTENDED LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE CHURCH (which I find doubtful). I think she has valid points of favoritism of the government to a specific religion as well as spot zoning (due to said favoritism and an inclination of investigation to see if corruption was also involved because of that). I don't think most of the other items they complain about will have any weight (burden to the neighborhood, etc). That said, I expect she doesn't have the money to spend on it, and that since the majority of the neighborhood is in favor of the temple being built, it will be built. PS: Motion was approved. Goes to City Council meeting on July 17th.

I don't know what to think on it. I know half the people on this thread throwing accusations of child abuse because of this probably bathed their children when their children were babies and maybe even older such as toddlers. Does that mean they were abusing their children (bathing involves a LOT MORE than simply just showering with the kid from what I've seen. Luckily, my wife did almost all of the childcare such as diaper changes and bathing the kids, so I may have been a bad dad at that for not doing that, but I have an idea of how it is done). IF bathing you child means you are abuser, there are some in this very thread that may be guilty of the same thing as they are accusing Biden based upon that same evidence? On the otherhand, it could be a very serious thing. I would imagine that if it turns out more serious, his daughter probably will say something. She probably has had time to thus far, maybe she will in the future? I expect those using this for political gain or to try to score political points are more concerned about taking Biden down than for his daughter's welfare though. I'm finding confusing contradicting facts on this online. In one it says that after Aimee had taken the diary that she wrote and added some items to it that Ashely Biden said she did NOT write, but that the diary itself was hers. I don't know which parts Aimee added to it. I did find a paper from Dallas which went into a little more detail... Ashley biden diary laid are true despite media denials

@mirkwood I read recently that pepper spray is actually more effective than a taser many times. Some people will be able to keep going after being hit by a taser, but pepper spray almost always puts them out of commission within a few seconds.

So, American Chocolate after eating Chocolate from Switzerland or Germany seem to always taste...weak...waxy...or something akin to that. The only really hard chocolate I've eaten was Dark Chocolate. I've had up to 90% pure, and that was VERY bitter. It's said that they used to melt it down and drink it much like coffee.

I see it as literal, but also symbolic of how our own judgements will go before the judgement seat. You will have the accuser, the advocate, and the Father. The accuser will point out things (such as, he lived such an easy life, if it had been harder, he would have sinned...etc), which then the defender will point out how this is untrue. The trial is actually our mortality and our mortal life. And of course, the point is, none of us will get through this life/trial sinless. Even the most perfect of us (who are not the Savior of course) will end up sinning in some way.

Well, luckily I married a great spouse that understands that Books are my life. She would never do that to me. However, if I had a spouse that did that, I think that may be the point of breakage for me (which is why it was important to marry someone who at least respected my love of books). Some of the Books I have for history are irreplaceable and from what I understand, quite valuable these days as well. It would be like tossing money down a drain. (though honestly, I think of the ones that I've actually had appraised, though those are newer books rather than the older ones in my personal library, the most expensive one was appraised at was around 2500-4000 dollars, depending on who would buy it...etc).

Don't worry, it's not hard to keep up with my family, not sure why people want to...most have surpassed us, so...no worries there! Your son is a Draftsman??? That's phenomenal. Is Texas behind the rest of the Nation in Engineering disciplines and such? Most firms that have been hiring around us have gotten rid of draftsmen these days. With the programs they are using and the things that they are utilizing, the need for draftsmen seems to have fallen off a cliff. We no longer even offer such programs at our university the demand is so low, and helping those who were trained in it seems to be better suited to cross training them to a different field then having them persist as such. Kudos to your son, but I know in many areas that's a very limited career field these days. Even when it was still somewhat being useful over a decade ago, the average pay wasn't more than $15-$20 an hour for what we were seeing in the experienced draftsmen as the computer programs and other items were already hitting that field rather hard. It hit a couple of the men in our stake rather hard as well and over the past decade most have stopped being draftsmen and moved to connected fields. When I was serving in leadership it was particularly dire for two families were invested with, as they lost their jobs and were have a tough time finding new ones. It must be vastly different in Texas it sounds like. I'm not really replying to your post, but using it as a jumping off point to respond to the thread's topic. I am conflicted to some degree about the topic. I believe mothers should raise their children. I believe that the lack of mother's in the home have led to a LOT of our societal decay in the West and the failure of morality in our young people (95+% will have marital relation before they are actually married for example). We see more and more of the younger people simply not having the morals we would think were basic decencies in our day. I am also a hypocrite. Let me explain. I had an incredibly brilliant daughter. IQ tested over 160. Extremely intelligent girl. She literally was the most brilliant child in the area, and the opportunities for her were endless. I encouraged her to pursue education. I knew she could be highly successful if she put her mind to it, but when I talk success, I wasn't thinking of her as a home maker, but in the working world. And, I was right. She WAS brilliant. She was absolutely a wonder to behold. Then she had children and tried to be a SAHM. She was absolutely miserable. Terribly miserable. Miserable to the point that there was concern for her mental health in a very serious manner. The best cure was for her to be with someone close to her peer, and that wasn't with the other SAHM generally. She went back to work and she LOVED it. She LOVED being at the job. I love my daughter. I want the best for her. I do not have all the answers. All I know is that as she tried to be a SAHM it was a terrible thing for her personally. I can see with her kids how it has affected them. There are some that have a hard time with the Church. It probably would have been better if they had a mother that was always home for them, but I don't think that was possible, at least not if we wanted my daughter to still be alive today. I don't have the answers. I can't say that I did the best thing with my kids. Perhaps it's my fault for encouraging my daughter when she was younger to pursue life and what she could do with it. I don't know, but I know that the Lord loves her and her children just as much as anyone else.

I am afraid me and my spouse are probably beyond the age to have more children (though Abraham and Sarah DID have a child in their old age, so never discount miracles I suppose). I suppose I could encourage my kids more, but I think they are already sick of hearing me ask about grandchildren.

I don't speak for anyone but myself. I don't represent the Church nor it's teachings in what I'm about to write. I believe that the Children of the Lord were the children of Israel. They are the covenant people. That did not change. It has never changed. We can ALSO be part of the covenant people, but the Jews, by birthright are ALWAYs the covenant people. The old false myths that they stopped being the chosen people of the Lord because they crucified him is never said in the scriptures. It is never stated. It is a myth. They are STILL the chosen people of the Lord, though their actions may not reflect how he would have them act (as is shown repeatedly in the Bible). You can't go bad supporting his chosen people. We should do well to remember who his Children are. WE CAN be (and hopfully ARE) his children and in so with our covenants, have been saved with his grace into salvation. The Jews may not have that heavenly promise as they have not yet accepted him, but they are still his children while in this mortal state and as such are still the Children of the Lord. Those who stand against the Lord will ultimately perish. Though the Jews may be defeated at times, may even be enslaved, eventually they shall be triumphant and all those who stand with them shall be as well. Edit PS: And just to be clear, this is NOT necessarily anything to do with what Our Church's stance is or what it's teaching is, this is my OWN feelings on the matter.

Except, in the Vietnam War era there was a REAL chance for those kids to get sent to the very War they were protesting. The thing they are protesting now has no chance of getting them drafted and sent to it's front lines. What's crazier is that the ones they are trying to protest for would kill many of them without a second thought as those students stand for everything many of the Muslims in the Gaza Strip are against. The Palestinians there are also not against corporeal punishment, including killing those they feel are LGBT or do not fit the mold of what they feel is living correctly. It's great irony that the students (and the imposters on the campus which in some instances outnumber the actual students there) are protesting for the very people that are far more conservative than almost all our most conservative individuals in the US, and are trying to call for aid to those who would kill those very students if given a chance (or worse, death sometimes is preferable to what they do to those they hate). I can understand the concern over some of the things Israel is doing (and I would probably say there are definitely war crimes occurring from Israel, but that I would lay on the heads of those who are their leaders rather than on Israel itself), but going as far as to protest in favor of a group of people that are the epitome against of everything you are and hate your existence so that they would probably try to kill you for it if they were able to...that one makes me a little more questioning on how much these kids actually know about the Palestinians in Gaza Strip...or at least how much they understand about Hamas and what it does and how it operates.

Because Joseph Smith had the complete authority to do so. The authority that Joseph had was given collectively to the Twelve, not singularly to one individual. This is why, today, or at least in the past, confirmation of revelation by a unanimous vote of the 12 was needed. There were some things which prophets have stated were revelation in the past, but as it was not unanimously supported by the 12, was never considered canonized. However, in the case of Declaration 2, we do have revelation on ALL of the twelve and it was supported by all of them unanimously. We have some wording of the Twelve (particularly of Bruce R. McConkie) regarding what you are saying when the rest of the Twelve got confirmation to confirm the revelation. HOW President Spencer W. Kimball actually received the revelation initially is unknown (or, as far as I know, has never been revealed to the rest of us) so we don't know whether he saw an angel, it was told to him, or it was a feeling. I have gotten personal revelation in all three manners though. I have seen the Lord personally, I have had his voice talk to me in an audible manner, but most often, it comes via a feeling. It is a feeling I cannot really explain, but it is a feeling that is just as true and strong as any of the others. It is this same feeling that changed one of the most ardently opposed to this change of church policy (Bruce R. McConkie) to a supporter of it. This feeling of the spirit is far stronger than a mere feeling, it is like being talked to but on a deeper and more emotional level. It is just as much a type of revelation as any other. This is the most common type of revelation I have had for my personal revelations, and I suspect it is the most prevalent that is found in the church. It is generally this type of revelation which one is to try to receive for confirmation of the Book of Mormon and is the strongest type of revelation for conversion to the Church itself (In my opinion). I know the Book of Mormon teaches the gospel and that the Church is the one established by the Lord through the Holy Ghost revealing it to me in that fashion (not a voice or physical appearance, but that feeling which talks directly to your soul). I know that the Prophet is our leader of the Church through this same revelation. It is no less revelation than any of the other forms of revelation.

But if you accept it the way you explain, it makes zero sense. The reasons is that in the case you mention, then Adam would be in three places at the same time, meaning he is exhibiting three different exhibitions at the same time at the same place. We don't believe that and neither did Joseph or any others. In fact, the final version that he has of the First Vision directly contradicts this. However, THIS IS the confusion that people had regarding Brigham's statements and the exact thing that the Church disavowed. Later doctrinal clarifications explicitly confirm that Brigham Young was referring to multiple people including a Father and a Son with the wording of Adam. In fact, the reason is that the word Adam is referring to MAN itself. Thus, by simply saying Adam, one could be referring not only to the Adam in the garden, but to the race of man, or to a specific man...including you or I even. This is something that SHOULD become apparent by the spirit, and has been something that has more information which we really cannot talk about in the open, but is revealed to those with the spirit in the Temple itself. It is pertinent to the symbolism and teachings of the various ordinances we partake of in the Temple. This is something that various prophets have TRIED to clarify over the years, until finally, they just gave up and disavowed the Adam/God teaching (not what was actually taught, but the misunderstandings that many people have had regarding it). However, to understand the relationship between the various Adams, it helps to understand the statements of Brigham. I don't know what Elder Watson said, he is not who I was referring to in regards to the people who had clarifications on the statement. We are talking more about Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, and the most forward of them, Joseph Fielding Smith. This is also included in more modern Apostles such as Bruce R. Mckonkie and of course Talmadge also indicates heavily in regards to our modern theology on this rather than the misunderstanding that many others had. That said, there is nothing in your statement (that I quoted) above that is wrong or contradicts our theology if one gets into the higher tier of theology, but it does touch on what confuses people. It similar to how people are confused how our Lord and Savior could also be the Father and creator of the Earth and is also referred to as the Father (and so aptly explained by Abinidi in the Book of Mormon I beleive on how that is possible). People get confused when you refer to multiple individuals as a Father of types and so, simplification is needed at times, which is what the Church did with the teachings of Brigham Young on this matter. However, Brigham Young was ALWAYS aware that Adam was NOT his own father, and that there is a Father above both Adam as well as our Lord and Savior, of whom we refer to more sacredly. In this, it is better to talk about such things in the simpler manner that we teach today rather than go into detail as it tends to be a thing that can cause confusion and concern. It is something I feel is more in line with personal revelation and belief on the matter that is to be kept to private conversation or temple query rather than something on the forum for exactly the same reason it is no longer something really prevalent in the teachings of the Church. If you want to continue this in a more private conversation I'd be happy to do so, but I don't feel it is proper to really discuss this in public currently.