Carborendum

Members
  • Posts

    4498
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    200

Everything posted by Carborendum

  1. I agree. I think the person saying it just didn't think it through.
  2. I haven't heard those exact words. But I've heard a similar sentiment. I wondered at it back then. I disagree with it today. The Lord wants us to use our time efficiently to do his work. If we don't, not as much work is going to get done.
  3. I've never heard anyone call this "looking beyond the mark." I've never heard any definition of looking beyond the mark being characterized in the manner that you just did. If you want to be the first, great. But it might not communicate too well with that title. You offered a great explanation. But if I were to expertly describe an automobile to you and explain just how it worked to precise detail to the point you knew exactly what it was, then called it an "airplane" how would you react? I get your point. I agree with your point. I believe it is mislabeled if you want to call this "looking beyond the mark". It is more like (but still dissimilar from) "missing the mark". Or, it could be more appropriately labelled "Denial". They knew something was wrong. They did it anyway even though they knew it had bad consequences. They received the bad consequences and can't figure out why they have to go through that. Then when they're reminded of what got them there, and what they need to do to fix it, they refuse -- insisting there must be an easier way. That's denial. If we consider the stages of grief (I see they have increased the steps to 7 now. It used to be 5. I even have a vague recollection of when it was only 3). Shock: They got that news. Denial: Trying to avoid the inevitable. Anger: Outpouring of bottled-up emotion. (Looks like they haven't gotten there yet. Bargaining: They are trying to get out of the full consequences by seeking a simpler solution. Depression: Not there yet. Testing: Nope, not even close. Acceptance: You're kidding, right? It seems that they are somewhere between denial and bargaining.
  4. You say you disagree, then you show that you actually agree. You have a funny way of expressing yourself. A perfect study of self-contradiction.
  5. I got all 50, but it was a guess for three pairs. I couldn't remember which was north or south (Arkansas v Missouri). Then I remembered the Missouri Compromise. So, Missouri was north, Ark, south. I mixed up Illinois vs Indiana. But I happened to guess right. So, that still counts. Same with Wisconsin vs Minnesota. So, given those uncertainties, I got all 50 correct.
  6. Doesn't this belong in the lame jokes thread?
  7. Like I said, you seem to have a misunderstanding of what the temple recommend is. And you are now revealing a misunderstanding of the temple itself.
  8. There are two ways to look at this. 1) The Lord leads this Church. The membership does not lead the Lord around by the nose. If it was revelation that people are protesting, the protests will have nothing to do with any change in policy. One can imagine a monkey in a cage raging at the noise a passing airplane makes. Then feels mighty that the airplane flew away because of the monkey's raging. If it was a mistake, then the Apostles figured it out somehow. Was it because of the raging of malcontents? Probably not. But if there are genuine concerns that are brought up, then, yes, those concerns are heard and considered. Then changes will be made to address those concerns if the Lord wills it so. 2) The Samuel Principle Remember that whenever this is invoked, it is not license for the membership of the Church to do whatever they want as long as they protest enough. This is the Lord simply reminding people of free agency. The consequences are still there. They should still be obeying a higher law. But if they won't do it, then they won't do it. It doesn't make their course of action right. It is mitigating damage from the wrong course of action.
  9. I was very adamant about not shutting off the computers until the end of the day. I told and trained my children to do this. Now I'm telling my children to shut down the computer as soon as it is done being used. Which was right? Both were for the circumstances in which we were in. Windows 7 computers and earlier were very hard on the electronics when shut down or starting up. Once we got Windows 8 computers, they weren't so hard. At least, this is what computer gurus have told me. Sometimes a change in Church policy is a mistake. Sometimes it is because circumstances changed. Unless a clear explanation has been provided, it is anyone's guess or impression of the Spirit which one it is. Most of the time, I DON'T CARE. Sometimes I do. And I'll pray to know about it.
  10. "looking beyond the mark" = deflecting shortcomings via magical thinking. ???
  11. I knew Alito was considered "conservative". But I had thought he was more middle of the road conservative. Yet he sided with the more conservative opinion. Whereas, Barrett has extremely conservative credentials, and to a lesser extent Kavanaugh, but they joined in the more middle of the road conservative opinion (which the liberals agreed with). Very interesting.
  12. I will say that homeschooling is HARD WORK. But the truth is that even if you do it half-baked, then it is still better than the great majority of public schools today. When I was first married, one item of debate was whether to homeschool or public school. We were nowhere near a position where we could even think about private school. My biggest concern was that they would not get the quality of education I had growing up. Her biggest concern was the indoctrination aspect. It was hard for us to settle because the schools I was raised in didn't have the indoctrination issue. But the schools she was in did have that problem, and they were not all that high quality. So, our different backgrounds made for different opinions on the matter. As we had our first child, we became more and more aware of what our surrounding school system was like. I began seeing what my wife was talking about. I also kept hearing more and more things in the news that said that those values I held dear were being shunned in public schools. This was liberal media touting that as a good thing. What vindicated me was my first born and his love of learning. While my wife didn't have the best scholastic education (although she has taken great attempts at self-education through 1000 books) she did have a love of learning. And this filtered down to the children. I've probably told the following story before. But I'll tell it again because I like bragging about my kids. When I realized that the public school system was doing worse than my homeschooled children, there was no more comparing pros and cons. Public school (at least in my area) had nothing to offer. I've been sold on homeschooling ever since. ************************** Now, to the aspect of parents wanting to be involved. One thing about this private school I'm involved in: Most of the parents wanted it to be like a homeschool co-op. They wanted to be involved. They wanted to care about their kids. But they just wanted more time to be at work and other things with life. Adding that many more hours a day helping kids learn is difficult to balance. But the school is specifically peopled with parents who have already made that sacrifice. Now that they're getting older, they want some more balance -- if it is available. This school allows for that balance to be available. All the parents have to go through training and sign contracts on the requirements for parents to be involved in various activities. But the guides (teacher) are there to help supplement their time. An underlying principle is that without the parental involvement, the system will not work.
  13. It is interesting that he gives so many different definitions of the phrase in a single talk. Elder Maxwell gave a simple example of looking beyond the mark: Contemplating and debating the dimensions of the cross rather than the significant event which took place upon it. We tend to look at the more mundane aspects of gospel "related topics" rather than the gospel topics themselves. Then I re-read your OP. I don't see that as the same phenomenon. I see that as people wanting to make bad choices and wanting quick fixes so they don't have to live with the consequences. People lie to themselves by saying that they "tried". In reality, they thought about it, but never actually followed through. This really has nothing to do with looking beyond the mark. So, what connection are you drawing between the experience you shared vs the idea of "looking beyond the mark"?
  14. I've been trying to keep up on this thread. But I still don't really understand the question you're asking. Jesus loved everyone. But many chose to be his enemy anyway. Apparently, they did not "feel the love". And even today, they don't "feel it". So, what is it you're asking?
  15. We put our kids into a private school a few years ago. They've been thriving. So has the school. There is a waiting list so long, we don't know if we can keep up. We've been blessed with a generous benefactor. They've purchased more properties to build new schools. They've asked me to head up the efforts in developing the properties. This may seem like a simple business model. But it is more than that. People are waiting in line because they see what is happening. They know that they can no longer simply "hope" that the public school system won't corrupt their kids. The School Administrator said in a meeting that we need to build these schools faster because too many families are concerned about what their children being taught. Boys are girls and girls are boys. They're racist even when they've never even had a racist thought in their lives. They're being taught that homosexuality is superior to hetrosexuality. And "pansexuals" are the most tolerant of all. They're being taught that government running your life is the best way to live. They're being taught that the United States is the most evil, racist, oppressive nation that has ever been established on this earth. Now, consider those last two and recognize just how contradictory the mindset is to accept such ideas.
  16. I know why the Church is doing it but I think it can be confusing/taken the wrong way. I'm not sure what you're saying here. Why is the Church doing ... what? What can be taken the wrong way? What is it "really" saying? vs. How would some people take it that would be incorrect?
  17. Nonsense. I'm outraged all the time, and I make it all the way to afternoon tea before I have my first stroke of the day. Oh, wait. You weren't talking about golf? Dang it.
  18. I'm not sure of your intent here. Do you mean that in two weeks, CRT will be all but forgotten? Or just that "yet another thing" will be the hot topic?
  19. I have noticed that my mode of dress is completely re-engineered due to home office virtual meetings. Shirt, Tie, and Sweatpants. The virtual meetings require the shirt and tie. But I just like wearing sweats. They're really comfy. So, anyone else changing their mode of dress because of recent events?
  20. Point made. Well, he IS a bear of very little brain.
  21. The painter forgot the comma. Then so did the guy behind him. Ironic.
  22. These are the definitions as given in the articles. And this is about as good as it gets. These definitions can actually have some beneficial educational applications. And I'd applaud it if that were the way it is applied. The reality of how it has been applied is somewhat different. 1) I believe that the history of this country certainly shows rampant examples of systemic racism. I don't know if anyone could disagree with that statement if one knows history. 2) I believe that we've made HUGE strides in eliminating these vestiges from our legal system. I don't know if anyone could disagree with that statement if one knows history. 3) I believe we cannot completely get rid of ANY stupid behavior (yes, racism is stupid. I said it.) among humanity just like we cannot completely get rid of crime. We keep it to a minimum and do the best we can to deal with the minimum, just deal with it as best we can. Question: Are we about as good as any flawed, mortal system is ever going to get? ??? The reason why we can't give clear definitions of what it would look like in schools is that it has indeed been applied differently from location to location and from teacher to teacher. There really isn't any clear definition. It is just the "general idea" that "systemic racism exists". The "what do we do about that" is left out of "official definitions" because part of the strategy of implementation is to allow the imagination to run wild. And that is where things can get weird depending on the specifics of policy and the notions of teachers and other individuals. It could be as simple as "raising awareness" and let people know, "No, belittling someone because of their race is not acceptable" to "kill any white person you see in your neighborhood" (yes, that has happened because of CRT). With that wide range, one would think that people should be responsible for their own interpretations. Yes. But it is interesting how much people have their interpretations "steered" by people who don't say much. What do you think is the likely emotional response to people being told "There is nothing you can do. This oppression will always be over your head. And THOSE guys are responsible"? If you teach it so that someone absolutely believes that, what is the natural reaction? No manipulation there.