Traveler

Let me update a possible overreach. NPR (who I do not trust) reported that any woman who has married and assumed the last name of her husband will have difficulty voting in the next election. This is because her last name will not coincide with her birth certificate. As it turns out this can be mitigated with a marriage certificate. It is argued that this is discriminatory because it requires these married women an additional level of difficulty to register. However, there is more to this that meets the eye, and this is in part due to NPR and how they go about covering the news they broadcast. Before Trump took office there was a law passed concerning what is called a “Real ID”. Some states include this real id with a driver’s licence by adding a star in the upper right corner of the driver’s license. As of May 7th a real id will be required to board any flight in the USA (domestic or international). In addition, a real id is required to enter any Federal Government Building or apply for any Federal Government service (like food stamps). What the new law for proof of citizenship to vote requires is tied directly to what is called a “Real ID”. A passport is also a real id. I realize that women who are married with a different last name on their birth certificate will have to supply additional documentation for their “Real ID”. That is just a fact and does not have all the blame of the Trump administration and NPR is attempting to imply. If there are other issues – please, lets be sure to hear both sides of the issue before we go ballistic. I am still trying to find out how it is that front line nurses taking care of veterans are being fired when more are needed. The Traveler

I am currently away from home (in the mid-west). I was with a friend (and wife) celebrating their 50th anniversary. Among those attending was a lady that is currently a nurse working for VA. She is a supervisory nurse that has worked mostly from home since COVID. She told me that she had to weekly send in a status report with 5 accomplishments. She felt that a month of doing so ought to be sufficient. She is not a Trump and Musk fan. I defended Trump and Musk that under the current government circumstance a status report was hardly an overreach. She agreed. There is another problem. This dedicated nurse (VA nurses are paid less according to her) serving our veterans informed me that nurses are the most critical service to the veterans needing medical care (I agree) but that the VA budget and been cut and at the VA hospital where she worked 20% of the front-line nurses had received termination notices. They are already woefully short. There are a number of seemingly overreaches taking place by the Trump agenda. These overreaches are touted only by the Trump opposition (like NPR) but are never-the-less serious and needs to be addressed (true or not). Though I am a veteran, I am healthy and utilize my benefits acquired as a civilian – so I am unaware of any VA problems. It is my belief that as a nation we need to listen to one another without a spirit of anger. But more so we must be charitable as Saints. I a-d m of the mind that if we waver from our covenants with G-d – to love one another – things will not go well. The Traveler

This is technically flawed and easily proven to be false. The Church was organized on April 6, 1830. The number of members were 6 and they were all men. The Traveler

I am of a different understanding. It is my understanding that presiding is very different than authority. It is my understanding that the father does preside in a family but has no more authority than his wife. I believe that to execute any authority in a family, the husband and wife must both agree. For either a father or mother to assume authority without the other would be no different than an individual apostle to assume authority over the others. It is not allowed and out of order. The Traveler

Greetings @Ann. I will make an attempt to respond. I am an old guy that is at least a generation ahead of you. I am a super nerd that is retired in the field of automation and robotics. Rather than say I disagree with some of your thoughts – may I add to them some of my own thoughts. I am concerned with this generation concerning marriage. I strongly believe that there is much more to marriage than a covenant between a man and a woman. At a minimum we need to remember that a Celestial marriage of necessity needs to also include G-d in the covenant. I am also of the mind that a marriage includes a covenant of children and generations. It is also my understanding (according to the Prophet Malachi) that the marriage sealing connects generations and includes all of G-d’s convent Celestial children. I am unable to comprehend how any Celestial covenant includes any act or intent of the LGBTQ+ community. I agree that we are commanded to love all of G-d’s children and to honor them as His children. But I do no know how it is possible to include such in any Celestial covenant. As for polygamy, I have to little understanding to be of much help – except that if G-d commands us so, that we ought to comply. My great grandfather was a polygamist. But when he first commanded, he and his wife refused. Only after meeting personally with the prophet did my great grandfather and his wife include a second wife in their covenant. Both recorded that they did not understand polygamy and its importance. Unfortunately, neither he or his wife ever explained what was important about polygamy. My one wife has been enough of a challenge for me. I do not feel I have sufficient understanding to make any recommendations to anyone beyond having faith in G-d and his commands. Concerning the roles of men and women concerning the priesthood. I take my understanding from what is taught in the scriptures and the temple. Mainly that in scripture a man is not without a woman nor is a woman without a man before G-d. In the temple we are taught about G-ds and G-ddesses, priests and priestesses. Anciently that title of g-d and priest could be given to the same individual. I assume that plays out as well for g-ddesses and priestesses. I conclude that there is no G-d without a G-ddess and no priest without a priestess; and vise versa. I do not believe it possible to pray to our Father in heaven without including our Mother in heaven. Since Jesus commanded that we address only our Father in heaven, I do not believe we should not specifically address our Mother in heaven. That is unless or until we are commanded otherwise. I am open to discuss any point or possibility. The Traveler

For a very long time I have been conflicted with President Trump. Though I think his agenda is needed and overdue, there are a lot of people that do not like anything about Trump. They think he is destroying America and creating international turmoil. I had a resent conversation with someone that thinks Trump is the anti-Christ spoken of in scripture. Of course this is a democrat. I do not intend to rehash this discussion – with the one exception that homicidal violence seems to be considered a viable option to stop Trump and his inner circle. This post is not intended to reflect what I think the world needs in this moment. Rather, I would point out that I believe there is enough animosity brewing that the Trump presidency could end with his assignation. This could cause the fulfilment Biblical prophesy concerning the end of times. I had hoped and thought that our recent annual Church conference would shed some light on this possibility. Having listened and pondered the prophetic guidance from the conference – I have come to two conclusions. The first is that the 2nd coming is coming soon and that there will be a lot of turmoil regardless of how soon, soon is. Regardless of what happens on a world scale, I am not going to be able to affect much of anything. In addition thing could unfold that would negate all my efforts to avoid what problem that could arise. The second conclusion is that Zion, and the saints of Zion will persevere. I was reading in the Book of Mormon 3Nephi 22 that gave me comfort. Those that may want to read – verse 11 summed up the thought that my job is not to worry about Trump, the nation or the world but to worry about myself to remail loyal to covenants (stand in holy places). The Traveler

It is my impression that the virgins slept is symbolic that they were not engaged in or doing anything else. It think that this is significant because all of the virgins were invited and came with the intent to welcome the bridegroom. They all thought things would turn out well for them. Generally, it seems to me that Christians (believers) think they are okay with nothing to worry about – it is the other Christians (just not them) that have problems and need to be concerned. I think this is similar but opposite to Jesus at the last supper telling his Apostles that one would betray him. I marvel that James did not whisper to John that it must be Judas because he has sure been acting strange lately?” Rather the Apostles were more concerned about themselves than to criticize, correct or think it is someone else. I am not sure but that I am among the unwise virgins that has not sufficiently prepared for the L-rd’s coming. The Traveler

I find it off that those that criticize Trump’s tariffs, especially claiming that Trump’s tariffs are a detriment to both the world and US economy – do not seem to care (or concerned) about the tariffs that are utilized by other countries. Especially those tariffs on US goods and services. I disagree with Trump that in all cases, tariffs should be reciprocal. I am more of the mind, especially in politics, that as good and fair as anything can be, there will always be some exceptions. In my youth I read a book titled, “The Ugly American”. I do not remember all the details, but I recall that it was very critical of Americans thinking that the rest of the world thinks as we do. In essence that anyone that has a different view of politics, economy and trade from us – does not understand that our thinking is vastly superior. And that everyone appreciates our gifts, despite our arrogance in our manor of giving. The Traveler

There was a time that the UK was where the greatest growth was taking place. And at the same time there was much apostasy in the Church. If not for the converts from the British Isles – the Church many have dwindled away. I believe the British Isles Saints were one of the largest groups among the pioneers that settled in the west (Utah). The Traveler

I see no reason for concern. All is unfolding good things and moving forward as theyshould. The Traveler

There is a prophesy given in the Book of Mormon by Jesus himself in 3 Nephi 16:10 The Traveler

It is interesting to me that in this world the most ardent objections to the USA tariffs come from the countries that tariff the most goods coming to them from the USA. I personally am opposed to tariffs because they unlevel the playing field. But tariffs are not the only means through which the trade playing field is unleveled. It is my opinion that Trump is going too far in requiring that foreign countries must manufacture in the USA to avoid tariffs. This is an insane notion that will cause more problems than solutions. Every place and people of earth should be able to contribute to and receive from a world economy. Industry should be the core principle of economy, and no one should profit from the labor of others more than those laboring. Our worldwide economics should encourage industry. Those without natural resources should be encouraged and allowed to add value through their own industry. The Traveler

This is my personal opinion and experience. The temple is a most sacred place of learning from G-d. Take as much advantage as possible to learn while in the temple. I find the Celestial room to be a profound place to meditate on sacred and important things. I have concluded for myself that rather than pray in the Celestial room, I listen and wait upon the L-rd. Some of my most sacred and profound revelations have come to me while meditating and pondering in the Celestial room of the temple. I believe we should always seek to learn and draw close to Christ at any place and time we have opportunity. I also believe that we should take every opportunity possible to draw near to G-d at his holy temple. One last point. There should be nothing in our lives that is not in harmony with the spirit that attends us while at the temple. The Traveler

I am not a total adrenaline junky, but I have always been attracted to things with some element of risk. And as I have explained to my kids – I would rather die, out somewhere pushing some limit, than slowly rotting away in a care facility bed. The Traveler

I am not sure why you would say this. There have been experiments where a person has been declared brain dead and yet many organs and various parts of the human body are able to continue to function under life support functions. And this is without the discussions concerning organ transplants or cancerous cells that carry our DNA. On another note – following a serious bicycling accident, cadaver bone was used to reconstruct my jaw so I could have a tooth implant. The more I learn and experience, the fewer answers I am sure of. The Traveler