Third Hour Forum Rules - Please be familiar with these rules before posting

Carborendum

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4566

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    200

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Carborendum

  1. Symbols on Temples

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    I've been listening to this guy (Bryce Dunford) on Youtube for a few days.  I figured I'd share one episode.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDmQfVhoA3Q

    It's a bit long, so I'll just point out one symbol he pointed out from both the Nauvoo Temple and the SLC Temple.

    • We know there are stars, moons, and suns on the temples.
    • But the order is messed up from the Telestial, Terrestrial, Celestial sequence.  
      • Stars are on top
      • Suns are in the middle
      • Moons are at the bottom

    He points out that this incongruity can be clarified by looking at the following verse:

    Quote

    And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

     -- Rev 12:1

    He points out that the woman was a symbol for the Church.  Thus the temple (also a symbol of the Kingdom of God on Earth) is wrapped (clothed) with the sun in the middle, with stars near the top (crown) and the moon near the bottom (under her feet).

    Very interesting.

  2. Isaiah 4:1 - An Additional Interpretation

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    I've been considering that virtually all of the latest social pressure regarding any male/female issues are all about the promiscuity among women, while also being unwilling/unable to marry or have children.  This would include transgenders, abortion, homosexuality, feminism, etc.

    I have always wondered how a prophecy from over 2000 years ago could talk about seven women who have their own money.  Only prostitutes had their own living as single women (with some very rare exceptions) in that day and age.  How could such a prediction have been considered reasonable in that day and culture?  

    Feminism has opened the door for the professional woman.  I think that is a good thing that the door is open.  But the culture went further than that.  It pushed the idea that it was not just open as a backup plan.  It was supposed to be the preferred choice over that of homemaker.  This is destroying our society.

    Over the past several decades, marriage rates have been declining.  Divorce has been rising, and about 70% of marriages are initiated by women.  This is true whether it was the man or the woman's fault.  In earlier generations, men cheated more than women.  Over the past couple of decades it has been shifting.  Today, married women are slightly more likely to cheat than men. 

    Among unmarried, but committed couples, women are FAR more likely to cheat.  And this is due to an interesting dynamic.  Women are MUCH more hypergamous than men.  So, when we're not bound by the social and legal contract of marriage, the entire population of available women will tend to choose a small percentage of available men.  And the ratio?  It tends to be about 7:1.

  6. Basic Math

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Carborendum

    8 hours ago, The Folk Prophet said:

    My quibble isn't punctuation so much as... in what world is a factorial considered "Basic Math"?

    Isn't it? 

    I learned it in the same class as the order of operations.

    Nephilim and Giants - 01/11/24

    in AG Team January 2024

    Posted

    On 1/20/2024 at 10:24 AM, pam said:

    So I published the question from June, but it didn't answer all of the questions this person has.

    Actually, it did (from my perspective).  I don't believe the Nephilim were giants.  I believe they were describing some other trait.  But through the centuries, the meaning of the word was lost and someone somewhere somehow determined that it meant giants.  And it was merely a shot in the dark.  That is what I wrote in the answer to the question in June.  

    So, if I'm right, his other questions were moot.

    Music and agency - 01/08/24

    in AG Team January 2024

    Posted · Edited by Carborendum

    5 minutes ago, zil2 said:

    Perhaps he was thinking about whether others were respecting his agency or if he's using his agency wisely, or something.  But yeah, the question didn't link it in directly.

    I think I'll add a couple sentences.

     -- Done.

  15. Problems in the church?

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Carborendum

    6 hours ago, askandanswer said:

    In another thread it was suggested that there might be some problems in the church. Maybe there are, maybe there aren't, I don't know. But what I do know is that if there are problems in the church they're not my problems, they're God's problems, because its His church, and its for Him to solve them, not me. I just need to keep doing what I've always been doing, but do it more and better because I still see the occasional hint of an imperfection in myself (an almost imperceptible hint :)). I feel no need to get engaged or involved in whatever problems there might be. They're not my problems. 

    I think everyone knows there are problems here or there.  And none of us has a great view to determine how widespread it may or may not be.  But the reason that people want to point to a certain problem as being "systemic" is the foxhole scenario. 

    I'll repeat an oft told tale about WWII.  If someone has a source for the validity of this tale, I'd like to know.  But regardless of the truth/fiction of the story, it is a valuable parable, if not a truly inspiring story.

    There was a small group of allied soldiers in a foxhole.  They knew that most of their battalion had been lost to enemy fire.  They had very little ammunition left.  They were sore and tired.  Their communications were down.  Then they heard a loud speaker announce in a thick German accent:

    "We have you surrounded.  Come out with your weapons down and your hands up!"

    This group conferred for a bit and decided that they wouldn't give up.  They'd go down fighting.  As they jumped out of the foxhole, they were astounded to find an entire army of soldiers coming out of hundreds of foxholes as far as the eye could see.

    Satan wants us to believe we're all alone.  But we're not.  And even if we were alone, we choose what we do.  We choose who we are.  We do not simply change who we are because of the actions of others.  That would be like blaming others for "making me mad."  We are responsible for controlling our feelings.  This is a trait that I'm afraid too few ever learn.  TBH, I still have a problem with it -- even with little offenses from others.  So, I'm not good at it myself.

    It may not be fair.  It may not be just.  And it may even seem justified to believe otherwise, but no matter what others do, at the end of the day, we choose how we react.

    We know who we are.  Even if we are thrown into the fire pits of Ammonihah, we live for the Lord and our Eternal destiny.

    There was never anyone on Earth that was more alone than a simple carpenter who was left alone in an olive grove after He prayed for strength from His Father.  And He did what He knew was right regardless.

  16. The Hobby Thread

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I read a lot.  This includes audio books during my commute.  Now that I'll have over an hour each way, 4 days/wk, I'm going to listen to all the Great Books of the Western World and the Harvard Classics.

    I'm not sure what I'll be able to do now that I'm giving up my consulting business.  I've always worked so much that I didn't really consider a hobby.

  18. LDS Church's New Managing Director for Church Communication

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, old said:

    Lol . .well you know I'm not the one that posted on reddit!!!

    No, I was not saying you were.  I don't know how you got that out of my post.  What I was referring to is that 

    • One exmormon says we're reacting so badly to this that we're "losing it."
    • Another one (you) say we're not objecting enough.

    That's what I meant by polar opposite.

    2 minutes ago, old said:

    I don't expect anything, my apologies I might have gone a tad overboard 🙂

    I appreciate the apology.  And I mean that.  In many ways you remind me of an exmo friend of mine.  I'm pretty sure you're not him.  But you still remind me of him.

    2 minutes ago, old said:

    What I mean is that it is very, very hard for in-the-boat traditional LDS members to even admit there is a problem and a serious one with LGBTQ+ doctrinal and practical (i.e. day-to-day ward and stake) activities.

    Not at all.  Virtually everyone on this board has said something along those lines at some point.  I think that you're getting a tainted sample from what used to be your stake.  I have extended family all over.  And none of them have seen the level you're describing from your former stake.

    All of us are quite aware that it is happening.  And we don't like it.  But based on my data points which cover about 40 stakes and wards (I have a very large extended family and friend network) it is fairly low and kept in check over much of the Church.

    When we see some things happening, we do express concern.  But it has to be pretty extreme to have it destroy our testimony.  I'm sure you'd understand why if you'd realize that our experience has not mirrored yours.  Perhaps the reality is somewhere in the middle.  And maybe you consider me naive to "the reality."  But what if I am?  Maybe it is worse than my many data points indicate.  But I'm worried mostly about me and my family.

    And one fact is that I do believe that if it ever got as bad as you were describing in your ward, I would do everything I could to preach to them and tell them that they are violating the laws of God.  It may be as futile as Lehi preaching the the people of Jerusalem.  But I'd do it just as passionately as I'm certain he did.

    And if I am cast out, I know that the Lord would find me a promised land to set down in.

  21. LDS Church's New Managing Director for Church Communication

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, old said:

    All one needs to do is take a look at this thread to see that is not the same for LDS.  People in LDS culture are afraid, yes afraid of calling a spade a spade.  It is tremendously sad.

    I don't believe this is a fair accusation.  I also find it interesting to recognize that this statement is the polar opposite of that lurker saying we're "losing it" over a pride supporter getting this position.

    Why exactly would we "call a spade a spade?"  What did you expect us to do?  Denounce the Prophet because he made an appointment for someone to be communications director for the Church?  Why would we do that?

    For me, this person in a position as a communications director is not a spiritual matter.  It is an administrative one.  I can have an opinion.  It may be correct, it may be incorrect.  But is there some reason for me to openly declare that I disagree with the prophet on this one?  Why would I bother?  I expressed my opinion that it is fraught with risk.  But who knows if that risk will turn out well or not?  And if it turns out poorly?  Then what?  Is that supposed to destroy my testimony?

    So, please explain what you mean by 

    Quote

    People in LDS culture are afraid, yes afraid of calling a spade a spade.

  23. LDS Church's New Managing Director for Church Communication

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    Just now, askandanswer said:

    I've posted before something along the lines that if the prophet says the moon is blue on Tuesday, but to me it looks green, then it is obviously blue no matter what I see. And if on Wednesday the prophet says the moon is orange and it has always been orange but to me it still looks green, then that one goes in the too hard for now basket and I need to start thinking about getting my eyes checked. Almost any other attitude creates risks.

    It is NOT made of green cheese!!!  Don't let your eyes fool you.  It's just an old wives' tale.

    :D 

  24. LDS Church's New Managing Director for Church Communication

    in LDS Gospel Discussion

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, askandanswer said:

    I remained active in the church because in my mid teens I prayed for and received a spiritual assurance that the church was true. I like to think that it would take a similar experience for me to leave the church - not a change in teaching or doctrine or leadership or communications directors - but a spiritual experience, as clear and as reliable as the experience that first led me to continue coming to church.  Anything less would be open to questioning and doubt.

    I like that attitude.  I think I agree. 

    But when the question is shoved up in my face:

    Quote

    What would you do id the 1P+Q12 produced a statement accepting gay marriage in the temple and allowing trans men (women pretending to be men) to hold the priesthood?

    Then you really have to ask yourself some tough questions.  At this point, I don't seriously consider this happening.  But as a thought experiment or Socratic discussion...

  25. Grocery store prices.

    in Current Events

    Posted · Edited by Carborendum

    1 hour ago, mikbone said:

    What the heck are yall doing?

    I'm guessing that the question is meaning to ask how much we spend on groceries, etc.?

    Eggs                       $1.89/doz  (organic $4.35/doz.)
    Butter                     $4.09/lb     (organic $6.05/lb)
    Grass-fed Ribeye: $11.49/lb   (No organic available).

                     ($34/lb is what I pay at a steakhouse, not at the grocery store.  And it would come with two sides and an appetizer)

    Other items:

    Gasoline:               $2.55/gal.  (Fully organic :) )
    Whole Milk:            $2.75/gal   (No organic available).
    Bananas:                19cents/ea (No organic available).

    I'm making pretty good money as well.  But I don't throw it away like Californians do.  I'd be suffering if I had to feed my family at those California prices with California taxes.  And Texas just passed a law reducing the property tax.  So, now (I believe) CA pays more in property tax than Texas.

    You ought to move to Texas.