Emmanuel Goldstein

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Everything posted by Emmanuel Goldstein

  1. My wife and kids got me this book for Fathers Day, and it got me thinking. Have we lost the intellectual aspect of gospel knowledge in recent years? I remember when Hugh Nibley and other scholars writings were often published in church publications. In recent years, I cannot recall very much if this in our magazines. Have we lost something in our day and should we try to return to them? In fact, I recently learned that Nibley’s “An Approach to the Book of Mormon,” was the priesthood manual for the year 1957. Now we just read and discuss general conference talks, or rather, try to skim through the talk during the opening announcements in priesthood and hope we are not called on to say anything. I believe by studying books like this we can awaken a deeper sense of testimony as we read while praying and listening for spiritual insight. Let’s do better as Men, who have followed in Abraham’s footsteps.
  2. For the last few years I have been looking into the myths about civilizations like Atlantis, Lumeria and Olympus. I think you are absolutely correct in that this earth is re-used for the Lord's purposes. I think that the last major reset was at the Younger Dryas impact around 10,000 BC. This was the end of the Atlantis or Adamic civilization and the Flood of Noah, if not triggered by this, was at the same time. I think the length of time that we have assumed from Genesis is incorrect. There is just too much archeological evidence of civilizations that go far enough back that the flood could not have happened 5,500 years ago. I think it is likely that the flood of Atlantis and the flood of Noah are the same one.
  3. If they really cared about emissions they would build an engine that can burn hydrogen, not a fuel cell, actual burning. Cummings may have just created one, but we shall see. Batteries cause more environmental damage than they are worth, both in the creation and disposing of lithium. I personally think their is not a solution in any available technology. Some level of pollution is going to be part of our lives for the time being.
  4. I think it is the height of arrogance to think that we can do anything that will destroy the environment in the long run.
  5. I like Bednar's analogy from the 2012 April Conference:
  6. It was also that Adam noticed that she had lost her glory, she had become a mortal telestial being from the celestial or terrestrial glory she had before she partook.
  7. The other day my family and I watched 17 Miracles. I found myself wishing we could have a gathering of saints like they had. The entire message of the film was about going to Zion and I love it. I am so very tired of the garbage of our current times. Living in our times is 100 times more difficult than when the Kingdom of the Saints was on this world.
  8. Adam and Eve most likely had children in a large number, probably 20 to 30. Then she would have gone through menopause around the age of 50 or 60. At this point their children would have had a large number of kids too. If Even had twins several times their children could have numbered closer to 60. Pairing off their children's children had dozens also. The population would within about 5 generations there would be well over 1 million people in the world. I believe Adam and Eve had Cain as a miracle from God, just like Abraham and Sarah or Zechariah and Elizabeth. Cain, followed closely by Abel. Then within a few years she had Seth. Cain left after the murder of Able and married one of the women of the hundreds of thousands available.
  9. Something from the Armenian Apocrypha of Adam and Eve. In another manuscript, Satan calls the fruit “beautiful.” In all manuscripts, Satan refers specifically to “that tree” or “this fruit,” whereas in Genesis the question is more general, “hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Gen. 3:1). Eve responds by telling Satan of the commandment as given to them by God. Satan then replies, in one of the manuscripts: This is substantially different than the Genesis account. In Genesis, the partaking of the fruit is noted by Satan as causing eyes to be opened, and that they would become “as gods,” by “knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:5). In this apocryphal account Satan goes further to note that God was once a man too, and that He became God by eating of the fruit, and thus became divine. If Adam and Eve partake of it they will become like Him, or “his equal.” Stone also notes here that text is explicit “that God was himself originally human and became divine through eating the fruit” ((ibid.)). These are interesting details to consider, for even though it is Satan who speaks, there is both truth and error in his words to Eve (see Gen. 3:22). After hearing this, Eve partakes of the fruit, and is stripped of her light or glory. At this point the Armenian text embellishes the story significantly from what is contained in the Genesis account. In Genesis it is only noted that Eve “gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). But what was the interchange between Eve and Adam? Did Adam say anything to Eve on the occasion? Did Adam protest at all? What did Eve say? How did Eve convince Adam to partake? These details are strangely absent from the Genesis account, and there is no account of any conversation there. The Armenian texts provide further details, including a conversation between Adam and Eve. One of the manuscripts says: In other words, upon recognizing what Eve has done, Adam immediately interrogates Eve with questions of what she has done, why she is stripped, and if she has eaten of the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eve only wants Adam to also eat of the fruit. Adam protests doing it, for he knows that he too will be stripped of his glory. Eve responds that Adam is beloved of God, and might not be angry with him. John Tvedtnes notes that Adam says “I cannot taste it and become like you” ((FAIR 1999 presentation. See note above.)). Eve invites Adam to partake again. Tvedtnes also notes in one translation that Eve tells Adam that “This fruit is extremely sweet and tasty” ((ibid.)). Adam holds the fruit in his hand, and ponders eating the fruit for some time (in one account three hours). One manuscript relates Adam’s thoughts: “If I do not eat, I shall be separated from my wife” ((Stone, 29.)). In another manuscript Eve also echos similar words: Adam considers the consequences and partakes: And so we see that the Armenian text adds quite a bit of detail to the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve, much of which is not present in the Genesis account. Michael Stone’s book Armenian Apocrypha Relating to Adam and Eve is available for limited reading on Google Books. This version of the story seems to say that the stipping was of their glory or robes of light. I hope that someday we will get the whole story from a revelation from God.
  10. I don't go to Chick-fil-a because they are too expensive and I hate long lines.
  11. he could have made his point in 30 seconds.
  12. From Elder Bednar, 2012, October Conference: Testimony, Conversion, and the Parable of the Ten Virgins I now want to use one of many possible interpretations of the parable of the ten virgins to highlight the relationship between testimony and conversion. Ten virgins, five who were wise and five who were foolish, took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Please think of the lamps used by the virgins as the lamps of testimony. The foolish virgins took their lamps of testimony but took no oil with them. Consider the oil to be the oil of conversion. “But the wise took oil [of conversion] in their vessels with their lamps [of testimony]. “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps [of testimony]. “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil [even the oil of conversion]; for our lamps [of testimony are weak and] are gone out. “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves” (Matthew 25:4–9). Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no. As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible. “Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17). Testimony I promise that as we come to a knowledge of the truth and are converted unto the Lord, we will remain firm and steadfast and never fall away. Eagerly we will set aside our weapons of rebellion. We will be blessed with bright light from our lamps of testimony and an ample supply of the oil of conversion. And as each of us becomes more fully converted, we will strengthen our families, our friends, and our associates. Of these truths I testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
  13. We can gain comfort from knowing that if we are living the gospel honorably, then the Lord will protect us until our time has come. We need not fear, but trust in the Lord's timetable.
  14. I probably has more to do with the parable of the reaping. The wicked will be gathered and burned. I think most people have it backward when it says "Once shall be taken and the other left" the wicked will be the ones taken.
  15. You may be right. No warning for the wicked.
  16. He quotes a lot of spurious revelations such as the white horse prophecy, something that has been debunked on many occasions by the leadership of the church.
  17. Many of the needed events could happen over a very short amount of time. But, I would remind everyone that the Lord said he would come as a thief in the night. I believe the world will be going along as it always has up until the day, or few days of the second coming. Beware of putting limits on the Lord's timetable.
  18. I would also suggest, Prophecy and Modern Times by Cleon Skousen. I would avoid, Prophecy: Key to the future by Duane Crowther.
  19. Did I say, become a hermit? I can observe the circus without participating in it. I just feel that the nonsense of political vitriol is a waste of my time. I would rather spend the time on pursuits that I enjoy without becoming embroiled in online controversies that are designed to distract me from living my actual life.
  20. If you can do it without getting swept away, then enjoy. I get angry and it brings me down, so I am done with it, to an extent.
  21. We can listen to the screaming voices or simply turn the other cheek and walk away. God is our Father and we should seek his counsel in all things.
  22. I agree with you on involvement. What I am saying is that we, as a people spend an inordinate amount of time on every little detail of political blather. I am going to remain aware of what is going on, but I will spend way less time worrying about every bumbling word that comes from political mouths.
  23. Is anyone else sick of the new religion of politics? Why do we always have to be inundated with political crap? I am frankly sick of it and I am going on a current events diet. If we don't fill our heads with this mush, I feel we can be a lot more at peace and relaxed. I plan to focus on the most important relationships I have, my wife, my children and God. I have had enough human worship. Inanna/Ishtar is not welcome in my home any longer. Say No to Inanna, say Yes to Jehovah!