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

Number 11 is a big one in today’s society. We love to buy our clothing at Cosco that relies on cheep imports from China and India that employ the essence of child slave labor. The Traveler

Greetings @JohnsonJones: Back in the 80’s an international acclaimed economists (Milton Friedman) did an audit of the Social Security for then President Ragan. His audit was somewhat unpopular – especially for the Democrats but it did upset Republicans as well. Two of the biggest problems with the Social Security Department was the expanded use of the funds (for example the funding of Black Military Ops) and the exorbitant overhead costs (10 time the allowable overhead costs – by law – for privately funded retirement funds). According to Friedman, there has never been a shortage of funds, rather poor management (including unfunded changes). As near as I can tell - none of Milton's recomendations have been adopted. The Traveler

Greetings @Still_Small_Voice: I would add to your thoughtful post a few thoughts of my own. I have speculated and rationalized that there will be marriages (perhaps of differing varieties) in other glories – perhaps even in what is referred to in our LDS doctrine as outer darkness. However, only in the Celestial Glory will the covenant of marriage be eternal and possess the covenant (New and everlasting Covenant) and power of creating new life – especially children in the image and likeness of g-ds. My reference in scripture for this is Doctrine and Covenants 132. It does appear to me that all things in this physical universe is subject to the phisics and laws of dimensions of space time in which it exists. As such all things do not and cannot endure everlasting eternity and of necessity can only be sustained through the merciful power and compassion of Celestial beings. Whatever personal bonds are made outside of the Celestial law are not trustworthy or capable to endure eternally. Because our universe is organized and ordered though the power and order of the Priesthood – it is my impression that all thrones, principalities, powers, things of names or whatsoever my be, must be sustained through powers and orders of celestial beings. Those of other glories are subjects to celestial beings and thus are ministering angles to them – they have no power or powers only that which is allowed by celestial beings and their care. This would mean that the only free individuals of liberty are Celestial. All others are damned – which means limited (bounded) in what they can do and achieve and as such are dependent on Celestial beings for their every breath. This is why they are subject to them and cannot achieve any rank higher than ministering angles. As a side note – I have encountered many religious individuals that have no desire whatsoever to be themselves free individuals of liberty – in other words desire no more than to be eternally damned to some state lesser than G-d’s and therefore they cannot one with G-d as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. (Which, by-the-way many of non LDS stripe claim makes the Latter-day Saints technically not disciples of Christ.) The Traveler

For those that are wondering, there is not a penny left in the Social Security trust fund. What is left in that trust fund is an IOU from the federal government. Sadly, that IOU is not referenced nor considered when the national debt is calculated. It is perhaps the happiest place for the federal government to borrow money because there is no interest paid on the money that is borrowed from Social Security. I am sure if you ask anyone in the Social Security Administration – they will tell you that Social Security is as secure as our borders. The Traveler

My family is the holder of the best known copy of the Rules of the United Order. For your fun and enjoyment I have printed out a copy (on my compurter not a photo copy) of the rules of the United Order. The Traveler

I believe in agency. I do not believe in almost anything or just short of anything else. Let me put this another way. We are what we have spent billions of years becoming. This mortal experience is just a part of what is called the plan of salvation. There was a pre-existence and there will be a spirit experience after we die and before we are resurrected that will complete our probation. The first step to freedom begins with discipline. The first step into bondage begins with self-indulgence. We become free or bound through the steps we take. If one is in St George Utah, they can follow I-15 in one of two directions. One direction will take them towards Las Vagas the other direction will take them to Salt Lake City. With each step one takes, the gap between the two destinations does not change but the gap between where you are and the destination you are headed is what changes. We are told in scriptures that we can follow one of three paths. One leads to the telestial glory, one leads to the terrestrial glory and one leads to the celestial glory. The choice is yours – you determine by your agency the path you take. There is a passage in the Book of Mormon that implies that according to your choice the atonement of Christ will complete what you are unable to accomplish on your own. The Traveler

Just for fun – a long time ago, when the wife and I were still raising our children, I kept a notebook of stupid things I said. All with the idea of perhaps someday publishing a book of humor. Some examples: “Your mother is coming over today? Does she need to borrow your broom?” “Your sister is on another diet? Did she break her Richter scale?” The husband comes home from work and the wife is in the kitchen fixing hamburgers for dinner. Husband: “Why are the hamburgers so big?” Wife: “Because I got big buns.” Warning!!!! Whatever cute and fun thing you are thinking of saying could be damaging to your health. The Traveler

I believe the point is - if someone is going to take up a potentially dangerous physical activity – they should not wait until their physical capabilities are in serious decline. I have been involved in human powered cycling and skiing for over 60 years. I realize that there are some not so rigorous cycling trails as well as blue and green ski trails. However, if one’s goals involve 2,000 feet climbs cycling and double black diamond runs through the trees as a means to recover from knee and hip replacements – they may think about a second opinion. On another note – if you are going to ski through trees make sure you are capable of keeping both skis on the same side of all the trees. Otherwise, you could not just have a bad day for yourself, but you can make it a bummer for everybody that is with you and cares about you. 😬 Just ask Sunny Bono and friends. The Traveler

There was a complaint a while back that posting on the forum (primarily in the General discussion thread) is dying. I had what I believe to be a fun idea in posting some worthless trivia – thus this thread. So here is some trivia about motorcycles. I have a brother that loves to ride his Harley but recently sold it and does not plan to purchase another – he is done riding. I asked him why. The reason for him is that riding requires too much concentration. For example, driving a car down a road at 60 mph and encountering a tennis shoe is not much more than an annoying thud. Not really a problem. On a motorcycle, hitting a tennis shoe can ruin your whole day – especially on a turn. Riding with a group is kind of a thing but on a two-lane winding country road – trying to get a group of motorcycles past a semi is no longer fun for him. Because riding a motorcycle requires much more concentration – rides over an hour has become too tiring for my brother, taking the fun out of trips. This brings me to another trivia point I read a couple of decades ago. It is that if someone past the age of 60 decides to purchase their first motorcycle to fulfill some dream – they have a 70% chance of dying on that motorcycle. I have concluded this is part of the concentration thing and that as we get older remaining focused does not work so well. I guess that if someone does not want to waist away in a hospital bed as an end of life scenario – taking up motorcycling in your retirement, may not be a bad idea. I learned about the high-rise handlebars – the term for those handlebars are “ape hangers”. We can speculate how cycle riders came up with that. In the state of Utah (and several other states) it is illegal to have ape hangers that require one’s hands to be higher than their arm pits. This is not because someone wants to give certain kinds of riders a bad time. It is because holding one’s hands (or hand) above their heart for prolonged periods of time will cause their hand to go to sleep. This little fact of life causes me to wonder why such a law would be required in the first place???? This should be a matter of evolution that would quickly remove certain mentalities from the gene pool. Anyway – If someone wants to chime in – please do. If you have any point of trivia to add to this thread – for fun or pet peeve – have at it. For fun if nothing else. The Traveler

There are two great lessons that I attempted to highlight in my post. The first lesson is quite obvious. That is that making bad choices without thinking through the possible outcomes seems to inevitably result in regret. The second lesson is much more difficult – both in realizing the lesson and figuring out how to reverse or correct it. It is more difficult because it does not involve so much the initial act of the individual that makes the bad choice – it involves those closest to them that realizes that the choice is flawed. Especially when we love and care about others it is difficult to sit back and do nothing when the bad choices are made – we rationalize what ever action we take to mitigate and solve the problem for those making the bad choices will somehow respond to our criticism favorably. Then in addition it also makes it much more difficult for the person that made the bad choices to ever attempt any rectification because not only do they have to deal with the initial bad choices but also the bitterness involved in the exchanges of criticisms. It is very hard to admit that the critic that cause so much pain is justified – especially if they went overboard in anger. How can we be “right” if we become an obstacle and not a helper in the repentance of those needing repentance the most. Like the parable of the Prodigal Son. The Prodigal must become overly humble before they will come to their senses and return. That return would have been shattered if the prevailing attitude was the attitude of the brother that remained faithful. This is the reason that the fated calf was killed of necessity for the returning prodigal and why the faithful son needed no such affirmation. The Traveler

A note – I am a retired engineer and scientist in the field of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence. Most everything I have studied concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints resonates with me as well. There are some things that initially seemed out of place or not quite right but over time have proven to be exactly spot on and prophetic. The strongest piece of evidence for me has been the Book of Mormon. If I were to highlight any possible contrary element it would be a few members that have overrated themselves. But even considering such members and compared to any other organization – there is no other institution on earth I personally trust more. Even the most enlightened and intelligent institution in the universe (heaven) produced an abundance of (though very intelligent individuals) that way overrated themselves as well. Pride is such an enemy and hindrance to peace and unity of society. The Traveler