Traveler

Hmmmmmm --- I would think that graph ought to indicate even greater concern. The Traveler

What can you do with an elephant on the freeway? Almost 21 miles an hour. How do you know if you just passed an elephant? The toilet won’t flush. The Traveler

The economy and commodities are such a weird confusing mixed bag of conundrum in my mind – I am not sure how good of an indicator (especially in the short term before the election) such things are. In the entire history of civilization there has never been a drop in money supply that was not followed by a depression – I must emphasize a depression not a recession! We are currently experiencing a drop in the money supply. With war looming something very serious must give in our economy and supply chain. I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to understand all possibilities, but it sure looks to me like all efforts are being made by both political parties (as well as the corporate and financial structures) to kick the can down the road and blame the other party for everything and definitely not to take any responsibility (even a minor responsibility). I am concerned that any give that arises in either the economy or supply chain will result in a cataclysmic seismic shift. And with our borders open I am concerned that the first effort of terrorists will be soft targets on our infrastructure which will exacerbate any financial or supply chain problem. My hope and trust is in the revelations given recently (in the last few years of General Conference). I am counting on the miracles President Nelson spoke of. (woops sorry about the ending with a preposition). I am of the mind and impression that things are so already in motion that the coming election will not matter much one way or the other. The Traveler

I believe that had the Abraham accords been continued under Biden all this would not have happened. Our country has become so divided (especially with a hatred of Trump) that the democrats were not willing to give Trump any credit for anything (especially in the Middle East) and this is the result. I wonder how soon that the left wing blames Trump for this whole problem. From revelation of the restoration, we are told explicitly that although we hear of wars in foreign places – we know not the hearts of men in our own country. The Traveler

Brigham City. The Traveler

My impression and opinion is that the withdrawal in Gaza is to prepare themselves for a defensive position from a possible Iran backed invasion of Israel. The Traveler

Though I would agree with some of your assessments of confusion over plural marriage in the early Church of the restoration – It is my opinion that that your assumptions of Ether 1 are not well founded. My great grandfather was a polygamist late in the era of Utah polygamy. He noted in his journal that most of the polygamists of his era were in error and disobedient to covenants concerning their plural wives (among his references of those disobedient was his brother). He also referred to his entire family as singular. I speculate that it was more likely that the brother of Jared had married children and thus the reason for plural reference to his families. Or another possibility is that his first wife had died, and he remarried a woman that was previously married with children and then had more children. This is only my opinion and I have nothing other than my opinion to reference. There are other references like Jacob 1 verse 15. While we are on the subject of plural wives. Anciently the difference between a wife and concubine was that a wife entered the marriage with a dowry and a concubine had none. The dowry was considered the property of the wife and if the wife was divorced the dowry had to be given back to the wife. The same goes if the wife died – her dowry was to be returned to her family or children. Early in the restored Church there was never a distinction between a wife and concubine – all were considered wives. Many in modern western civilization think of concubines as illegitimate – akin to current standards of living together or common law wives. The Traveler

Woops It should read all that G-d commands to be included, should be included in scripture. Sorry for the confusion - and thanks for asking to be clarified. The Traveler

There are numerous debates in our society about the need to eradicate (as much as possible) toxic masculinity. Some would hint that it does not really exist while others are certain that it is standard practice though much of our society. I would add to all this my personal opinion that toxic masculinity does indeed exist and that it is a growing problem in our society. First, I would define toxic masculinity as those of that are biologically of male gender that torment and dominate those that are biologically of the female gender, forcing them to be shamed by the masculine dominance over them. What is odd to me is that many that argue about the problem of toxic masculinity are unable to recognize the very worst cases of it. As near as I can determine every definition of toxic masculinity is manifested by masculinity dominating in female (feminine) sports. From depriving women (the biological feminine) from achieving recognition for their athletic achievements to the sexual harassment in the locker rooms where the toxic masculine and their supporters are forcing women to be unwillingly required to undress naked in front of them – often themselves (the toxic masculine) also displaying themselves naked forcibly before women. I cannot think of a greater display of toxic masculinity that what is being perpetrated by certain masculine individuals and their supports in the arena of women sports. The Traveler

It is important to understand that not all that is spiritual or is revelation or that leaders have received for the people needs be or should be recorded in what is sometimes called the “standard” works of scripture. In the Book or Mormon the Book of Jacob chapter 1 verses 2 though verse 6 (more if one intends to maintain the context) Jacob is commanded what to wright as scripture. What Jacob commits to scripture is not all what was revealed to the Prophets of his day. Note in verse 5 that Jacob indicates that there were things revealed concerning things that would happen to the people that were not included for preserved scripture. Note what is not included in scripture was still revelation and important to the people. Every 6 months the prophets and seers of our generation extend to the people of the Church and world things revealed and commanded concerning the next 6 months to the next Conference. Often in Stake or regional conferences a sustained prophet and seer may attend to make known revelations received concerning those that are intended to listen. The most important thing to understand is that all that G-d commands or reveals is recorded in scripture. The Traveler

Thouth I would add - during the totality there was a red dot at the bottome of the eclipse. I do not know what it was but I am assuming that it was a solar flair. The Traveler

The wife and I went to visit our daughter and family in Indianapolis to experience the eclipse. The last bit of it may still be going on but the totality is over. It has been worth the trip. My iPhone camera did not work well at all. As long as just one point of the sun was exposed the amount of light was amazing and is most likely why iPhone camera will not work. Totality is a little creepy. I am impressed that in the search for extraterrestrial life there has not been another planet located with a moon large enough and in the right place so that anyone can experience an eclipse anywhere except on this earth. So I got to experience something quite rare in this universe. The Traveler

I would add a little thought. It is written that a testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophesy. There are many in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that prophesy – even children. I believe that the greatest error (as prophesied by the Book of Mormon) of the Saints of these Last-days is hearing and seeing through the spirit – much more than it is being mislead by the L-rd’s anointed. Note that all that covenant and worship at the temple of G-d are anointed by the power and authority of G-d. The Traveler

It is my understanding that in the USA police are obtained from the citizenry of our country. But when acting in their duty that they are not acting as citizens but rather as officers of the law. The Travelert

I have learned that it is not so much what a person (or lady) wears or dose as it is the reason that they do so. I had a native American (Crow) companion on my mission. After his mission he had long hair with beads as part of his culture, heritage and position. Generally, I believe that those in our culture with tattoos are so because they are not comfortable in their own skin. However, I have among my friends Polynesians that have tattoos because of their culture, heritage and position. Usually those with poor reasons are a bit put out when asked why they are doing something. Usually those with strong purpose and conviction are honored to be asked why they are doing something. The Traveler

In my youth I had a personal relationship with Apostle Hugh B. Brown. It has always been my nature to seek out and ask the most difficult questions – at least the questions I considered the most difficult to me. Like some that have posted I was aware of leader that were obviously in error. And so I asked Apostle Brown the question – Do we still sustain our bishop even if we know absolutely that they are wrong? This answer has stuck with me for decades. Brother Brown looked me squarely in the eyes and said, “You sustain your bishop, especially if he is wrong because he will need your support more then than at any other time.” Perhaps we do not understand what it means to sustain (support). There are two parts. One is to be agreeable, to help, to love, to honor and respect. The other is like unto the servants of Elijah that held up his arms when he was weak. When our leaders (or fellow members) are weak or failing – we hold them and their mission and purpose up. This second part is known in the covenant to not speak evil of the L-rd’s anointed. My friends @mrmarklin , @ZealoulyStriving , @Maverick and other Saints of G-d: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just the L-rd’s Church. The Church also belongs to the Saints of G-d and is why the Saints are included in the name. I would suggest that if anyone is aware of anyone or anything that is a problem in the Church that they humbly pray to G-d concerning that problem and inquire what it is that they can do (or sacrifice) to assist G-d in his mitigation of the problem. As I have done this myself - almost always in such things, the first thing I am commanded to do is to repent. The Traveler

A note - if Oliver and Martin had not fallen and left the saints then it would have been Oliver first and Martin next that would have been the prophet to take the Saints west (like untio Moses) and not Brigham Young. It was a benefit to both them and the Church that they repented and returned but the benefit would have been greater to both them and the Church had they remained loyal. The lesson is that when we sin - there are blessings that are forever lost. When we repent there are blessings that are given. Sometimes the blessings that are given are similar to those that are lost but they can never be the same blessings that were lost. The one example we have of someone that never sined and never lost a blessing is Christ. There are many examples of great men (or women) that sined and repented and their lost blessings were forever lost (like King David, Oliver Cowdery and others). The Traveler

I recently was talking to a fellow scientist about climate change, and he brought up some interesting facts that I had not encountered before. He pointed out that at the equator the angle of the sun is orthogonal to the earth’s atmosphere which gives the greatest possibility for climate change based on greenhouse CO2 gas. At the polls the angel of the sun approaches zero or a minimum which gives the least possibility for climate change based on greenhouse CO2 gas. In addition, CO2 is heavier than most other atmospheric molecules. Because the earth is rotating the heaver molecules will congregate at the equator. All of this would indicate that the effects of greenhouse gases casing global warming or climate change would be greatest at the equator and less at the polls. However, what is happening is the exact opposite. There is zero climate change at the equator and the greatest climate change is at the polls. The Traveler

Thanks for your interest. For best results and understanding I suggest you get your answers directly from the source – Milton Friedman. Google will provide you with better information than I can. When and if implemented properly there would be an immediate (at a minimum) surplus of 28% taxes. The main idea of a negative income tax is that it is not an all or nothing. Rather there is always an incentive to work and earn money in order to have an increase in disposible income. The negative income tax would be on an sliding scale. Also as I understand Milton Friedman there would still be opportunity for private charity in extreme cases. This would help prevent an intitlement attitude. If I could add anything it would be that all income is taxed – even the income of the poor. The reason I believe this is necessary is because then all citizens would have skin in the tax game (similar to tithing) and DC would be held more to account whenever they asked for more taxes. I also believe that the extreme benefits that elected officials grant themselves would become much more unpopular. The Traveler

The world will be balanced (for sure) when the announcement is made for 24 temples in Independence Missouri. 🙂 The Traveler

I believe that in this day and age the most common abuse is based in heterophobic hatred. Especially towards white heterosexual males. Shucks – the abuse is so bad that heterophobic does not even make it through spell check in Microsoft Word. The Traveler

I will predict at least two in places I did not know there was even a ward there and one in a place I did not know even existed. In my youth I could name all the temples – but back then there were only 12 and the year I graduated from high school they dedicated the 13th. I set a goal to visit al the temples. Currently I can’t even tell you all the temples in Utah. I am starting to take all the temples for granted. The wife and went to our assigned temple forgetting that it was closed for a week of deep cleaning. So we just went to another temple. We ended up finding out there 4 temples were closed for something before we found one (all within less than an hour drive of our home) was open. Now days that problem is solved because we make appointments. At the most recent Roots Tec I learned that on the Family Tree app I can find the name(s) of the closest relation to take to the temple. I am guessing that we will be told that the Kirtland temple will soon be restored and rededicated. I would like to be there for that. The Traveler

Greetings @Sail: As I ponder various epochs in scripture, I am not sure that the divine message or purpose is obvious. From the Biblical accounts there seems to be some contradictions. The reverences to G-d and divine society is always that G-d is the Supreme Suzerain (King) and that heaven is a divine kingdom. However, when it comes to G-d’s covenant peoples here in mortality on this earth – Making our human leaders kings and making ourselves subjects of our governments and governors have never worked out well. Not for ourselves nor our leaders. To me the story of David very much portrays this great contradiction. Obviously, something very critical is missing. Perhaps some of what is missing is referenced in Doctrine and Convenance section 121 verse 39: So prominent is the inclination to misuse authority that it seems to me that the only one worthy of authority is the person that does not want anything to do with it. Thus they will only use authority is when it is forced upon them and that only acceptance is as a temporary act of service. So, in my pondering I wonder if we really understand G-d, his leadership and the divine society of heaven. Perhaps our view of heaven is not Celestial at all but rather more along with the glory and governance of the telestial or terrestrial, both because of what is expected of leaders and what is intended as our contribution. The Traveler

May you enter a room and forget what it was you came to the room to get. May you repeat the above process several times in succession. The Traveler

In another thread I pointed out that current government handouts are framed on the data of the 1960 national census. That data indicated that a transfer of 2% of GNP to the poor would end poverty. We are not approaching 70% of government spending is assistance for the poor – and today poverty is as rampant today (or worse) than 1960. I suggested that we follow the outline provided by Milton Freidman and his negative income tax. With a slight adjustment for retirement and disabled – the negative income tax could replace Social Security and SSI. I also believe that we should not worry about term limits but rather put all government employees and elected officials on a negative income tax program. Some worry that certain elected officials need security protection – this could be provided through government housing on military bases. This would immediately save our country 60% from what is currently being spent with the saving of similar in the tax burden on the citizens that pay taxes. A great economic boom for the middle class that would have more benefits than a war economy. It would also make our military much stronger and bring peace to a very troubled world. This may be what Jesus has in mind for the Millennium? The Traveler