JohnsonJones

It's the Utes and Paiutes! Navajo also? It matches even! Salt Lake City area would be where the thin neck of land would be! Between the Mountains and the Sea at least...though not two seas. You could walk it in a day (even a normal person as long as they aren't in bad health). The gospel has definitely been spread among those tribes...probably multiple times. The impact of the Church on their lives probably has impacted them far more than any other Native Americans. I think they have cities in the rocks and high places that were used as defensive fortifications thousands of years ago. We have the Manti Temple there that was supposedly dedicated previously to be a Temple. Could it be that the Nephites lived North of the Salt Lake area up to where the Provo Area is today with the Lamanites south of that and the Land of Nephi across the Salt Lake? Is that the type of idea you are looking at??????

So, Matt Gaetz allied with the Democrats to vote McCarthy out. Great...just Great. Only 8 Republicans voted to oust the Speaker. Gaetz had more support from the Democrats than the Republicans. What a Hypocrit. And he decided to get the Speaker out because the Speaker made a deal with the Democrats? Someone remind me why they haven't kicked him out of congress yet...isn't the investigation ready to be prosecuted yet (didn't it start before Trump's...why is Trump in court before Gaetz??) PS: Just want to add, the Democrats took the bait. Because of this I expect chaos to reign in the house even more than it was. Good Luck on stopping a Government shutdown...at this rate they'll be fighting all the way past the shutdown date! If we get a shutdown, because the Democrats fully supported this mess, I expect they cannot get out of the blame now if it gets to that point. Before this, they could largely be seen as blameless. With this, it can be seen that they are only trying to continue the discord in Republicans and promote an internal strife amongst the Republican party to the loss of all. Hopefully some good comes out of it, but right now I just see a LOT of division in Congress to the point that it's not functioning.

Comic books used to be so easy to find when I was younger. The would be in stores and even gas stations. They were everywhere. The last time I think I saw comic books in the stores was at a Walmart some years ago. These days I don't see the comicbooks around like they used to be.

I do not know the source of it off the top of my head, but there is the statement that it is eternity is like a ring, one eternal round. There have also been thoughts that time does not exist in eternity. One way of viewing it is that things repeat in a cycle over and over again. Another, is that there is only ONE circle and you can go anywhere within it. If that is the case, you get the paradox where it could be that the creator created themselves. The honest things is we do not know (and at this stage, probably do not need to know) the answers to these questions. Just as you say, we do not know. We don't know anything about what came before the pre-mortal existence, and in general, before the War in Heaven.

I do not know all things. I do not know how the plan was created or how it was created, only that it is our Father's Plan of Salvation for us. Now, if it was how you describe (whether I agree or not) I have a parallel where it would STILL be his plan. Say I was a new Professor (and I was...years ago...so no longer a new Professor) and had no idea what order to teach the first class I was going into. I needed some pattern or some way to go about it. I COULD create my own, or I could turn to other Professors in the department and ask their ideas. If an elderly Professor who was about to retire gave me their entire course curriculum with the lesson plans and other materials and I used that as my plan...adjusting it as per what I needed for the class...whose plan is the class following at that point? I am the one using the plan and having it as the outline and direction for the class. It's not the older professor who is using it. As far as the students know, this is the only plan they know the class is using. As far as they can see, this is my plan that the class is following. I would posit they are correct. Now that I am using this as my plan on how my class will go, it IS my plan. My class, my decisions, my teaching, my plan. Just a thought on your thoughts on this.

Once adopted, you fall under the adopted heading, which is basically a kid with married parents.

I'd add a few more, though they would definately not be as popular as the ones you list. 7. Get rid of no-fault divorce. This would be unpopular. It would probably need to go hand in hand with protective services ramping up for woman (one reason many see getting rid of this as unpopular is because woman tend to use the no fault divorce more often and many times it is to get away from an abuser or similar things to that effect...even if it is..."no-fault"). 8. Return the stigmatization of being born out of wedlock. This is unfair. It is unfair to the kids this happens to. However, by trying to even out the field so all kids are equal, it has removed how bad it is seen to have children out of wedlock. It is even seen as preferable by some these days! 9. Reinforce Morality. I believe Homosexual Marriage is a thing because we, as a society, were already immoral. When 95% of the population has pre-marital relations...that is NOT a moral society. That's not even a Christian society. They are in no way following the commandments or instructions of the Lord. It doesn't matter if they say they have been saved, their actions say they don't even care about the Lord and his path. Adultery and Fornication are just as bad as Homosexual acts. This is the breach American society does not want to actually admit. We were already extremely immoral as a people already, even before these things happened. I recently read a type of interview paper where an individual went and talked to married couples. Anonymity was something that was given so the people could say what they wished. There was an overwhelming theme there that they didn't like that their spouse had premarital relationships with others. A few said that they didn't care, but overwhelmingly, most said it bothered them. They dealt with it in various ways. Some just tried to ignore that these things ever happened. Others tried to pretend that they were each other's first relationship of that sort and only think back to when they were married. It seemed many tried to forget, ignore, or otherwise try to pretend that such things did not happen before they were married. It was extremely sad. This was from a rather liberal crowd (and non-LDS), and they still appeared to have these feelings. Young people seem to think that there will be no repercussions from immorality these days, but from what I read on this, there are serious ramifications of their actions, but no one really wants to talk about it. No one wants to face up to it or deal with it. They realize society (as opposed to the individual) does not favor such talk these days. I think one of the first things to bring a two parent "privilege" back for more people is to bring back morality and chastity to the home, to our young people, and to American society. In the same way that could help reinforce Christianity and the Christian way of life back to America as well.

No, they are not mistaken. You would be foreordained, or given the opportunity to have certain blessings in this life predicated upon your righteousness. A poor example (though it can be somewhat related in the same way) of something that could be like it in this life...a kid goes to college to earn their degree. They desire at the time to get a Law Degree eventually. The college will not deny them such a degree as long as they work and study hard to attain it. You could even say that as they are accepted into their major they are already predicted that they will be able to obtain this degree as long as they continue to work towards it. The college is going to plan that they will succeed and offer to help along the way. They will provide counselors, study halls, study areas, TA's, and many other tools. If all goes right, the kid WILL get their degree, and then, if all goes right, they will get their Law Degree if they stick with it. We have a class of 200 students in this particular college. All of them feel that this is what they want to do on the day they start college classes. Expectations are that they will be the next graduates of Pre-Law. However, as time goes on some of them find out they have no desire to study or work. They flunk all their classes. They COULD have gotten the degree, but due to their own choices have lost the opportunity (at least temporarily) unless they go through their suspension (or probation if it wasn't quite that bad) and the penalties assigned and then re-enter (delayed from the rest of the class due to having to get the requisite scores and other items to overcome the probation or suspension). Most choose not to and they never get their degree. There are others who find out that they aren't really interested in the major. They want to study other avenues. Perhaps they want to study Art, or Music, or Physics, or some other area. They change majors and graduate with a degree in that area instead. You have those that work hard and graduate. Just as they were offered the opportunity, they graduate with a Bachelors. Now they need to take the LSAT and apply for Law School. There is probably space for all of them if they only wish to try, but some of them get discouraged because they don't have the grades or test score to get into the Law School they wanted to go to. Others push onwards and get into Law School. Some of them get into the one they wanted, others get into schools that may not be as renowned, but it's a spot. In Law School some find that this really isn't what they imagined it would be and drop out. Others continue and eventually graduate with their Law Degree. All of them were seen as being able to get the degree when they first entered the college. They were planned on being able to get them and were forecast as the incoming class of Lawyers (or future Lawyers). They were all give the opportunities. Along the way many of them decided to follow different paths. It's not the best parallel, but I think it kind of shows the idea. We are promised every blessing if WE choose to do certain things. Most of the time in patriarchal blessings, the promises are based upon us also doing certain things (normally worded in a way that says these blessings are predicated upon your faithfulness or something to that effect). We are not forced to do these things or follow the gospel if we do not wish to in this life. We have the opportunities as promised in the Church and in our blessings, but we are not going to be forced to take them. ------------------------------------- As an aside on the topic as well, I think those born into the church CHOSE this due to their desires in the pre-mortal existence. There are also those that may have wanted this as well but did not get to be born into the Church. Some of these may be our ancestors. Someone had to be there to ensure the next generation. They would have their desires known by the Lord. There are others that were probably promised that even if they were not born in the Church, the Church would come to them and if they had the true desire in their heart, they would be able to join into the Church in this life and have all the blessings those born into the church also have. When I was younger (so decades ago), there was a push for Latter-day Saint Families to have as many children as possible. One reason was so that those who WANTED to be born in the Church, or as many as wanted to be born in the church, could have that opportunity. Even with as many members as we had, there probably was no where close to enough children born to equal out to how many wanted to be Born in the church or wished the blessings of the gospel. One reason Missionary work is probably so important, to help those who have the desires in their heart to be able to find the gospel and join with the Saints and have all the blessings the Lord offers while still in this life.

And with those hands they drew him as a dog? Pluto's a dog....right? A brown, lovable pup that graces our cartoon heritage?

I don't know if everyone ever wanted all those things. I think MUCH of our choices that come in this life are a result of our choices in the pre-mortal life or pre-mortal existence. By knowing what WE would have chosen if we had full range, the Lord knows what our true desires were. This life is a time for ourselves to prove to ourselves what we want and will do. The Lord already knows us better than we know ourselves. Much of the position we find ourselves in during this life is because WE chose to put ourselves there previously. We wanted to learn lessons about ourselves, or to have opportunities, or other reasons while we experience this mortal realm. I think there were those that were unsure and didn't care which kingdom they went to as long as they were able to live in heaven. They didn't favor losing agency, but they really didn't want to have to fight for the responsibilities that would come with a greater reward. There were others who wanted to have the glories of heaven, but perhaps didn't want the responsibilities that their Father and Mother had later in eternity. There were those who sought to be just like their Father or Mother. I think there was a great range of what was desired and what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some felt in a way strongly opposed to what was taught or seen and rebelled. Between those that rebelled and those that sought to be exactly like their Parents is a wide range of desire and emotion. I feel that those born into the church today were those who desired to be born as members of the Church. They are born into the Church because that was what they desired in the pre-existence, along with all the blessings that come with it. Whether or not their heart truly desired that, however, is something that each and everyone one of them will find out in this life for themselves.

In Vancouver and the Vancouver area, I think there are a lot of Saints in that area if I recall correctly.

They were Marxists (communists). That's an ideal from the Marxists (not normally something they can institute, but it's in there) about an ideal society. Aren't you a Libertarian? Which fits...most Gators seem to be against taxes as well and tend to do whatever they want within their sphere of influence. In fact, when the government intervenes in their lives (such as dragging them out of someone's pool or going to a neighborhood where the gator is casually lying on someone's lawn and then putting the gator in a cage and taking it to a far away body of water) they tend to be a little aggravated. And here I thought it meant Single Jewish Woman...but then, that's only because when I hang out with my Bureau of Land Management Buddies, everyone seems to think I'm African American, but when I say that to others around me when I get back, they all think I've been to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

I miss how often they used to broadcast Conference at the Chapels. It used to be a thing that we would all get together to watch conference together. It felt like it was something that still united us in a common cause. On Sunday it reminded us that it was still Sunday. (Edit: One other thing I recall about conference before the internet was widespread and it was made more available was that missionaries tended to really love to invite investigators to watch a session with them at the chapel. It would help with the spirit and they hoped investigators could feel it there too). In some locations we could not get the broadcast, even with Satellite (when it existed) or via Radio. I remember getting recordings of conference (so not even video of it) and being able to listen to it on a specified Sunday. Later, I remember watching videos of it. When in another part of the world conference would come on at a crazy hour so they would record that session and play it later for people to watch. Today it seems they expect everyone in my area to have a way to watch it via the internet or TV. I do, but I wonder about those who live in poverty which do not have such ease. I was driving during part of the first session on Saturday as I had something I had to do and tried to see if any Radio stations at all in my area would have it. They didn't. Not even AM radio. One blessing we have today though IS the internet. I can go and probably pull up the Saturday Morning Session to be able to watch it via the church internet site. That is something that we were unable to do in the past.

I haven't had a more troublesome week before conference that I can recall (not that it has not happened. There have been many conferences in my lifetime and I honestly do not remember what each week before them has been like). I have had some tough weeks before and can relate to that. There are times when nature itself seems to conspire against me in what I am trying to do or needing to do. Those times can be fraught and difficult. I have no words that can solve such things or make them easier, only that I tend to pray a lot more (in all honesty, we should be praying always, but I don't always pray aloud as much as I do during times of trouble).

Unfortunately I don't do much with AI myself. It seems interesting. If it helps others gain better testimonies or to learn about the gospel that's a good thing.

What does one mean when they say Woke? Looking it up on Wikipedia (yes, perhaps not the best site for some, but it generally has a good summation of things) says Is this a bad thing to be aware of racial prejudice and discrimination, or aware of things such as identity politics, social justice, white privilege and slavery reparations? It is a great irony that it seems that the term, woke, which comes from awoken and thus from awaken seems to have it's first appearance among Republicans and their political points over 150 years ago In that light...are we awake? Do you Awake and Arise? So, with that in mind, is my employer...Woke? I suppose you could say it is woke, when you have these ideas in mind. It has a department devoted to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. Are we opposed to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion? I thought the Church taught that the atonement was for everyone, that the gospel was for everyone? ----------------------------------------------------------- In the mid 20th century the term woke took on a more specific meaning among African-American Communities where it was more about being aware AND informed about issues pertaining to the Civil Rights movement and issues relating to African-American rights. At the time many were against these rights and fought against allowing certain rights to be given to African-Americans. Many alive today feel that those who fought against equality and inclusion of African-Americans were in the wrong, that those who fought to allow more equality for our African-American who are fellow citizens were the ones in the right. I agree with that sentiment. Does that make me woke? ----------------------------------------------- Recently the term has been broadened by both groups on the Left and the Right to include the ideas regarding various rights and ideas regarding the LGBTQIA+ movement. Conservatives have increasingly used it as an insult, while Liberals have used it to try to equate the LGBTQIA+ movement to the Civil Rights movements for racial equality. Both sides do not necessarily inquire after how the African-Americans feel about them taking the term and using it for their own usage. That said, in my university we do pay attention to the concerns raised by the LGBTQIA+ community and we are told to try to adhere to certain standards in regards to students and others who may identify in certain ways or patterns. We are told to respect their wishes in certain aspects of their lives and personal feelings. So, yes, I work for a "Woke" employer I suppose. I am immersed in the "Woke" culture that is found in many universities today. I am also a Latter-day Saint who firmly believes in the gospel. I am a fellow brother in the Church and I try to strictly follow the commandments that we have been given.

Morally unacceptable could be any range of things. It does not necessarily even have to be anything that would damage church membership or break any church rules. It could be that he was name dropping in order to get money for a vacation, or to spend on advertising or any number of other areas. The article isn't clear on why they had a separation of will there. I'm not really into Utah Politics right now, but it could be that he was using the apostles name as a way to try to show that the Church endorsed him for a political candidate. I have no idea. As for other things, if there were crimes committed or if he is innocent, hopefully justice is done and he is either proven innocent or guilty depending on whether he really is guilty or innocent.

Generally I can turn on BYUTV and not have to worry about whether the show will be appropriate to watch or not. It's nice to have a channel that I can simply have no worries about it. In addition I enjoy the ability to watch Music and the Spoken Word as well as various devotionals and talks that they broadcast. Finally, I don't have access to other avenues that some may have (such as KSL, or other places) for when they broadcast conference. I normally am able to watch conference on TV via BYUTV these days. Edit: PS - And, of course, obviously allowing those majoring in these types of communications to have practice and to learn how to do this type of work.

This is something that has gathered steam over the past few years. I don't talk about it much (and really don't have a desire to) but as a Vet, I always felt we actually WON Vietnam. It was one area which conservatives also agreed with many of the older military as well. It was the Far Left that pushed the idea that we "lost" Vietnam. The US has never lost a war. I really dislike that this entire idea that we lost Vietnam somehow has come around. The Goal of the United States in Vietnam was not to destroy Vietnam. It was not to rule Vietnam. It was to prevent Communism from dominating South East Asia. We largely succeeded in this Goal. Unfortunately, Vietnam itself and Laos both became completely communist, and dominated by Communism, but the fears of it spreading to places like the Phillipines (though it is still a threat there) and other locations did not occur. People do not realize the effect that we had in making sure that did NOT happen. In that way, the US was HIGHLY successful in it's war with Vietnam, and halted the spread of Communism effectively. I suppose it depends on how you see victory vs. loss. Many Americans felt we were there to rule over Vietnam, but if we were, we went about that war in the wrong way and with the wrong method. We weren't there to rule, but to prevent. It was a proxy war in a way for control of the larger region of Asia. It is a war that we won as we not only retained control of the sections of Asia we already influenced, but built upon that with a stronger hold for the most part. When Veterans came back from Vietnam the Hippies and far Left spat on them, called them names, and told them that they were losers even tried to claim that Vietnam was a loss. It was hurtful then, it is hurtful now. The Conservatives didn't do that, nor did the independents. I'm not angry at you, it's not your fault. I am sad though, because if someone like you (who I think is pretty far right and pretty conservative) is now echoing this idea that Vietnam was lost, it shows how far widespread the far left's influence from back then has gone, and how some ideas that were from the far left are now also part of the conservative thought process. It makes me angry at that sort of success (so not an individual, but the ideology's spread). It was before your time though (if I understand your age) when all that occurred, but the anger and hurt probably still goes on for many. For a short time (after 9-11) the nation was united and Veterans felt welcome finally, but as with all good things in the mortal realm, it too probably is finally passing.

NYTimes Russian influence reached 126 million through facebook alone Facebook says Russia still biggest disinformation Player (2021) From the lower article I think it depends on which social media platform you are using. It also shows the trends of the voters. Russia targets Facebook which composes a lot of the older voters (and no surprise, they vote similar to how Russia tries to influence them). On the otherhand, places like Reddit, TikTok, Discord, instagram are more places China tries to infiltrate, and no surprise, the younger audiences from there tend to sway more in the direction China wishes them to. In regards to why Russia would be wanting Trump in office now...it DEPENDS on how reliable John Bolton is and if Bolton is reliable, if Trump would still do the same thing he was planning to do... Bolton says Trump Might have pulled us out of Nato if he had been reelected John Bolton Putin was waiting for possible US withdrawal from NATO The top article is the Washington Post article quoted by the bottom article

Hmm, only conjecture here on my part. With Adam, if he had died and been ressurected somehow, or lived forever, he would have had no way to be cleansed from his sins. This would lead to eternal separation (damnation) from our Father. This would be a very bitter pill to take. With the Savior, and the sacrifice and atonement, we also can live forever. The difference is that because of his atonement, we can be cleansed from our sins. This means that we do not need to be separated from our Father if we so choose. The reason the Savior did this was his love for each and everyone of us. Because of this love, each and everyone will be resurrected and receive a resurrected body. Because of this love, we can live in the Kingdom of Heaven in one of the three glories. This is not a bitter fruit, but perhaps the sweetest and most delightful fruit that we could be offered. They both are the Tree of Life. Both offer eternal life of a sort, but only ONE (Love) offers salvation with possible exaltation. Thus, from one aspect, Life is bitter if eaten, while on the other, it is extremely desireable.

Related, but not connected. I remember when I was young I got letters addressing me as young Master "(my actual name)". Many young men were called Master "so and so" as a name. It indicated that one was still under the age of majority. I think someone with a Master's In English Literature would have realized that terminology (it isn't used as much today, but was used regularly up until at least the mid-20th century). Or maybe they did and wanted to feel a LOT younger than they actually were?

I'm not sure that's a horrifying thing or not. What it indicates is what I think many have suspected all along. Biden is actually a VERY middle of the road moderate. If you look at some of the choices he made for various posts...they are NOT middle of the road moderates. Biden has a loud voice, but the presidency is currently being run by committee. It has been for a while. (probably from the very beginning even). This is actually a pretty good thing though. The BEST leaders in many instances are not the solo voices in the room. They recognize that they have weaknesses and surround themselves with those who are smarter, cannier, and more political saavy than they are. Biden is still witty and fast on his feet, but if you notice some of the ways his policies have been made and done...he has some pretty sharp people in his council. Biden probably doesn't even realize all that they've done in his name at this point. Last guy that ran the nation like this was Reagan and that was some while ago. I'm wondering if they'll keep Harris as his VP choice this next election though. It's getting closer to a point where Biden could collapse and if that happens they'll want someone that will play nice with the committee.

Why is this a Liberals vs. Conservative thing? Conservative isn't a religion (or isn't supposed to be). Also, counting independents as "Liberals" seems rather...disgenius. It appears the number of actual Liberals in the United States is around 25% (2021). 37% are moderate and 36% Conservative (2021). Political ideology steady When you see your political ideology as being the same as your religion...I think something may be wrong. The REASON MLK worked in some ways was because he tried to be a Uniter (or at least, that was how it was Perceived by many) rather than a divider. Whether you were Black or White, Conservative or Liberal, the idea was that all could be united as equals. The other side of fighting for equality could be seen as those who followed the Malcom X path where violence and division were the key. You were either part of them or against them. The Church doesn't care whether you are liberal or conservative. It doesn't care what race you are or whether you are disabled or not. What is important is whether we follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and adhere to the principles that he taught. In that light, It is a matter more of what we believe and how we feel about things. ON Disney, I do not like the way Disney is going today. I know some who are MUCH MORE conservative than I who still love Disney completely. They watch the new Disney shows, they really like their Disney Channel and Disney+, and are much bigger fans of Disney than most that I know. It is not necessarily a conservative vs. liberal thing here. If it were, you would think Disney would appeal to me FAR more than those I know who are massive Disney fans and yet are very far to the right (currently, many of those that I refer to in this paragraph also love Trump...so when that ship sails we will see if they are still conservatives or not). I think you shouldn't try to kill your allies on something simply because you don't like how they may think on something completely unrelated or different. In this area, both Liberals and Conservatives of certain morals and ideas can be united without trying to say it is the other's fault. PS: On another item you mentioned, Beer. I don't drink Beer. Assuming all those who drank Bud Lite constituted ALL American audiences is probably not the right way to go about it. I don't know the demographics of who all drank Bud Lite to begin with, or how many were conservative or liberal or moderates, but just because they didn't lose 50% of their sales doesn't really say how many were of each group or how much it has effected others. PPS: However, that said, if you take out the Conservative/Liberal ideas of your post, I think you have some good points. It takes more of a unity of people in specific locations (such as what was organized via MLK) as well as Political allies (something MLK's movement got) to have a really good success at times.

When you say Covid Idiocy, are you referring to quarantines and isolation as well as masking policies? Things supported by the Apostles and even the Prophet? What exactly are you referring to? Historically, these measures HAVE helped save lives (though those who haven't read history REALLY tried to repeat it before we had vaccines or other measures to help against COVID-19) during outbreaks of disease or plague. I think our prophet understood this both as a Prophet AND as a Doctor. I think he also understood that where ever a group of Saints gather (whether it is in a family or a ward) it can be considered a gathering of Saints as per the Scriptures, and that from these we can gather strength. In this we also were prepared with a program which could be utilized individually, as families, or as wards (Come Follow Me). It is probable that the ailments and diseases put upon us in these Latter-days are products of the Adversary meant to hinder the work of the Lord, but I think that the work of the Lord will progress regardless. Did Covid-19 make complications for us? Absolutely! However, the servants of the Lord had ways which still helped us progress (broadcasts of Sacrament meetings, the Come Follow Me program, etc). In the end I feel they felt that LIVES and SAVING physical lives were important things to do. I heard MANY that put down the Prophet and some of the apostles for trying to ensure the health and welfare of the Saints at that time, and it does not amuse me. I do not know what you meant by what you stated, but there are things that come to mind simply because there are those that say the Church is important and needful, and then in the same breath try to destroy the leaders of the Church and their policies due to the actions taken during Covid-19 to save lives and preserve health. I feel you must be talking about some other item regarding COVID-19 (perhaps those who spoke against the prophet and insisted that murder, bloodshed, and killing their fellow saints were acceptable "sacrifices" so that they could meet and infect others ...perhaps that's the idiocy that you are referring to, though I'm not sure how that relates to the importance of Saints meeting each week in that light) and idiocy...but I do not know what exactly you mean. Hopefully you will explain what you meant by Covid Idiocy (in a fashion that speaks HIGHLY of the Prophet and the Apostles and the actions they took to help use overcome as well as preserve those vulnerable among us at that time. Perhaps you could also be referring to how the Prophet wore a mask not only as protection, but as an example to us and also got vaccinated to show us what we should be doing as we care for ourselves and our fellow men as the wise choice, and those who were trying to tell us to do the opposite of what the Prophet was showing and telling us to do as being the idiots?).