Traveler

From my experience: the Holy Ghost is like opening a door in a dark room to an outside with the sun shining. As first the light is almost painful but once you get use to the light you experience one or many Ah ha's. This is because you now see better so many things that were in the dark room and because you seem them better you are so much more aware of how you relate to them they relate to each other and so on. And then there is the bright outside - which you never really knew even existed but add to your understanding of things and brings great awareness. And then you begin to understand that you only see a tiny bit of outside - that there are forests and deserts and mountains and valleys and rivers and lakes and oceans and then you realize that there is a solar system and galaxies and vast reaches of the universe and you have only begun to become aware. And then you experience love and kindness and you begin to realize that there is a whole universe of things that are not touched or seen. And again you become aware and wonder how great it is to ever become aware to things that have no end. And when you think of how good and how great it is to be aware and your joy overflows then you know what it is to experience the influence of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said that if you drink of the water of life you will never thirst but for me I thirst the more. The Traveler

I am not sure I follow your logic. How can a person make a choice not knowing the results. I do not believe that is a choice. If someone made a choice and later changed their mind which is the choice? How can we call something a choice when someone does not know what they are doing? Only with knowledge can someone make a choice. If they lack some element that impacts the result then they really did not make a choice - what was necessary for a choice was not present and therefore there was not power (knowledge) granted sufficient for choice. The Traveler

Chaos has no author. Chaos is the condition of things not ordered and therefore cannot have an author because if something is acted upon or acts upon its self there would of necessity be order - however so primitive. Sometimes we think that Satan brings chaos to G-d's order but that is a matter of confused semantics – in reality Satan imposes his order or G-d imposes his order; which, if one understand terms correctly, is the definition of agency - to act as directed by the principle of the agent. The Traveler

This all reminds me of two young boys fishing in a stream next to a nudist colony wall. One of the boys got his fishing line caught in a tree so he climbed up to free his line. Once up in the tree he could see beyond the wall and called down to his friend that there were people on the other side of the wall. The other boy asked if the people were boys or girls and the boy in the tree responded that he did not know because they did not have on any clothing. I stated in a previous post that the difference between men and women is their sex. I do not think anyone really understood what I was saying. In short neither is complete without the other. In addition mankind (both men and women) will no longer exist when we all come to think otherwise. The Traveler

The only true gift is the gift of one's self - any other gift is secondary or a part of self or otherwise outright superficial. The Traveler

Darkness and light cannot abide together. Inviting one will dispel the other. We also know that man cannot have two masters – if they seek out covenants or pleasures of darkness they will despise the covenants and joys of light. It is possible that spirits of darkness are dispelled by individuals of light from beyond the veil. But in all cases it is the light of Christ that dispels spirits of darkness. A couple of thoughts I will leave: First; is that through his covenant disciples is the light of Christ allowed to shine unto the world – but the world does not comprehend the light. Second; many love darkness rather than light and this is manifested in choices of entertainment, including music. The Traveler

Men and women are different because of thier sex The Traveler

One of my main concerns about any kind of health care in the current atmosphere of health in the USA: The two biggest health care problems in the USA are caused from overweight and lack of exercise. The two primary means of offering health care comes in the form of drugs and surgery. I do not care if the government is involved or not until the above discrepancy is addressed health care will continue to become less effective and more expensive. There is another issue that involves malpractice that needs to be addressed regardless of who pays for health care. If a doctor has not treated their patients competently they should not be allowed to ever practice ever again without supervision (if at all) to correspond with any fine that is paid. If they have treated their patients competently there should not be even a penny granted and the lawyers for the plaintiffs and plaintiffs should be required to pay all attorney fees and court costs of all involved in the ligation. The Traveler

The lie being presented by the government proponents of universal health care is that government involvement will help control costs. The opposite is reality. Involvement of government in universal health care will at least double health costs. I use Social Security as an example. By law in the USA it is illegal to run any investment program for retirement that exceeds 7% overhead costs. Most company programs for employees and insurance programs operate at less than 3%. This means that for every $97 that is actually paid out to recipients that less than $3 was used to accomplish it. The cost of running Social Security is about 60% - this means that for every $100 set aside for people on Social Security the retired person would receive $40 and the bureaucracy needed to oversee the program would suck up $60. (Note that this does not include mismanagement of the program but actual dollars appropriated for dispersal.) The great error currently in health care is that things have gotten so out of whack that most health care providers will avoid providing services to any one paying for it themselves. The underlying theory of insurance was never to cover day to day costs but to help with catastrophic needs. I personally believe we will not solve the health care problems until we are willing to hold individuals responsible for their general health and use insurance and government recourses to help in extraordinary and unusual circumstances. The Traveler

A few of my thoughts: 1. Marriage is a covenant between a man, his wife and G-d. Not only is porn contrary to the covenant one has with their spouse it is contrary to their covenant with G-d. 2. Porn is a form of Idolatry. It is a type of worship that is not acceptable to G-d. In the scriptures we see on several occasions how many in Israel thought they could mix their worship of G-d and frequent the “groves” and temples of Baal – which were in essence pornography. In short Pornography renders one’s worship of G-d heretical and hypocritical. 3. Porn renders the influence of clean and holy spirits ineffective. It is an effective temptation that turns many from seeking, understanding and perceiving the goodness and glory of G-d. To reiterate #2 – included with the indulgence of porn is the illusion that one can also engage in that which is holy without repentance in the pornographic indulgences. 4. If one is not married, porn will prevent a person from developing non selfish attitudes necessary for the sacrifices towards spouse and children. In today’s society it is one of the main reasons that adults enter marriage unprepared for the discipline of marriage and thus causing the marriage to fail and end in divorce. The Traveler

The ugliest thing about politics is the willingness to praise your friends and assonate your enemies for the exact same thing. The Traveler

Thank you for posting on this forum. As a Gnostic Christian do you have any information concerning the historical figure Prestor John? The Traveler

1. I believe that the constitution was divinely inspired and an incredible and wise document for its time. I also believe that the founders were inspired. This means that they were able to create something greater than they were. We could have improved our constitution but we have done the opposite and it has divided our country. 2. I believe there have been inspired men operate in our government since the inception of our law under the constitution – men such as Lincoln. I believe Eisenhower to be the last inspired president of the United States of America. Mostly as of late your government has become uninspired and as a result liberty has diminished liberty and replaced it with entitlement (for rich as well as poor). 3. Divine Morals must be at the foundation of law. There is a movement to mislead people into thinking that morals cannot be legislated – Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only can morals be legislated; morals are the only thing that can be legislated. We are not going to change the universal gravitational constant or pi by legislation. Without question a bad law either reflects poor morals or no morals among those that have power to legislate. 4. Religion needs to foster divine morals – When religion fails the people their morals become so confused that even families are at risk and when families are at risk society has nothing left but to turn on itself, divide into campaigns of hate and become agents of blame until they either destroy themselves or are destroyed by war fed by their hate and blame. The Traveler

Thanks - I have always enjoyed your light. What I am wondering is if you believe there is a "Christian" light that is collectively placed on a hill. See for exampel the prophesy Isaiah 2:1-5 (note here the symbolic references to "Zion", "Jerusalem" and the "light of the L-rd" or do you understand this to be literal.) Are you (speaking of a religious institution or sect) doing anything to "establish", protect or build Jerusalem as spoken of in the above prophesy? In other words - are you as a religious sect involved with Jerusalem or are you waiting and watching (with the rest of the world) what is taking place as far as Jerusalem (Salem on two hills) is concerned? The Traveler

The truth you speak is imbedded in the concepts of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem. The light unto the world is the Salem covenant as was established and presided over by Melchizedek in the days following the flood unto the days of Abraham. The name Jerusalem in ancient Hebrew literally means Salem on two mountains or hills. Do you believe that Salem or Jerusalem as a covenant has been established (in a place) in the “Last days” according to prophesy? If you do; where is the place that the ensign has been raised up unto the world? The Traveler

The understanding that Jesus died for all mankind’s sins is a most important liberating truth. First because regardless of what sin or sins anyone has committed they are forgiven and everyone is loved by G-d. Therefore any sin we cling to have already been suffered for – the only detriment in sin during our life on earth is the unnecessary shame and sorrow to the individual that loves such sin more than G-d. The second liberating truth is that no one has to be concerned about the sins of others. Because Jesus died for all we are free from the sins of others as much as we are our own. This means that the endless cycle of abuse, revenge and pay back to the deserving has been forever broken. Again we do not have to burden ourselves because of evil outside ourselves. The sad truth of this good news my friend bodhigirsmiles is that it can only have an effect to those that in truth believe Jesus is the Christ. The Traveler

One of the basic tenants of LDS theology is that all religion converges on one true ancient religion that was lived and practiced by Adam and Eve. In other words that all religion has “some truth” but that G-d maintains only one kingdom in heaven or on earth. All other faiths or religions are counterfeit or apostate deviation. This doctrine disturbs many non-LDS because of misunderstandings of LDS doctrines and teachings concerning the kingdom of G-d. In short LDS do not believe that doctrines or religions have the power to divinely enlighten, redeem or bring eternal salvation to anybody. Therefore, according to LDS doctrine, believers in Jesus Christ can be found among the all deviant religious institutions as well as apostates can be found within the kingdom of G-d. I would also point out that this notion is a common theme in scripture. This is one reason that we send our missionaries everywhere they are allowed as well as sending home teachers and visiting teachers monthly to every member (anyway that is the goal or intent). One of the criticisms of the Book of Mormon is that there is, what the critics say, no historical evidence of the Book of Mormon or that Christ visited a society in America. The Book of Mormon claims that Jesus appeared among the ancient Americans but the society that kept and maintained the truth of what happened fell into apostasy and become so corrupt that G-d destroyed the entire civilization that had the charge of keeping the truth from being corrupted. Thus the truth was severely corrupted. So the critics ask if there is any indication that the Book of Mormon could be accurate. Let’s look: 1. Is there any evidence that there were migrations to the America’s from Mediterranean Civilizations? Yes there is – in fact there is a preponderance of evidence. 2. Is there any evidence that G-d the Son, Jesus Christ descended from the sky and taught doctrines of love and compassion? Again the answer is yes and again there is a preponderance of evidence in the ancient legions of Quetzalcoatl, Tacoma, Kachina and others. 3. Is there any evidence of ancient American civilizations with cities advanced developments of math, science, industry, agriculture, education and trade that suddenly disappeared? Again the answer is yes and again there is a preponderance of such evidence. But like the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, Daniel and even Jesus Christ; even though there is evidence that at one time such characters could have existed there isn’t the proof that everything recorded in scripture concerning these individuals did indeed happen exactly as recorded. Does that mean that there is nothing to be believed? Let us consider what is historical fact – let us consider something for which the evidence is right under our noses. What is the cause of the current economic crisis? Is it something the Democrats have done? Is it something that the Republicans have done? This is something that happened while we all lived and there already is a wide variance of opinion as to what is the cause. So where is the proof of what is the cause? If we cannot prove what is while we live how can we expect to prove what happened hundreds of years before we were born? One simple question to those that think they believe in G-d is quite revealing. Did the G-d you believe in ignore the ancient people of America? Did he not send them any prophet, teacher or any scripture to guide them so that they will all be damned forever to hell? If your G-d loved the ancient people of America – where is your proof or even sliver of evidence of such a G-d? The Traveler

Variety The Traveler

If an angel shows up; in most cases it is as a warning that changes need to be made. I am not aware of any cases where there was no change needed. If an angel shows up - I think I will have an attitude to change anything suggested. The Traveler

Let us not mix and match. Inviting a person to do something is not predatory if the invitation ends when the invited person says “No thank you”. Recruiting is an attempt to involve someone that would not do so or would hesitate on their own. It is convincing someone that is not convinced. I would refer the November issue of National Geographic (2004) in reference to the development of the human mind that points out that high level executive decision of moral behavior is not fully developed until a person is 26 years old. Why are children in juror and high school encouraged to “explore” their sexuality (heterosexuality as well as homosexuality)? Again, sexuality releases endorphins and can become as addictive as any drug. Encouragement to explore is nothing more than an effort to “change” behavior and in the case of children that are not capable of high levels of executive decisions for moral behavior must be considered recruitment and an effort addict that individual. Recruitment is being masked in the try it mentality among the young – In every case I am personally aware concerning homosexuality they were convinced of their orientation at a very young age. Today children are encouraged at younger and younger ages to become addicted to every kind or orientation of sexual behavior – even in the oval office of the President of the United States of America and an ever increasing segment of our society will do nothing more than makes excuses for it. The Traveler

Most often the children of G-d are divided into 3 groups. Note the pre-existence the reference to a one third part of heaven – indicating that heaven was divided into three parts. Note that following the flood mankind was divided into three parts in the sons of Noah. Note that in the resurrection there are 3 kingdoms. Most divide the children of G-d into two groups – the redeemed and the damned. The flaw in extending this thinking is that it overlooks that the black or white issue is based on the law given. To every law that exists there are only two possibilities – to obey and live the law or to break the law. We all live under law. The lowest is enslaved by law and have not freedom. The next are capable of living only under a lesser law. The g-dly are capable of mastery of all law and therefore are liberated by law. The Traveler

I know from personal experience that gays recruit boy scouts and the military (surprised?). Because I looked 13 when I served in the army I was approached many times on almost every leave – usually I was approached by groups of 3 or 4. If for any reason I was alone on leave I learned to carry a canceled weapon. That was over 40 years ago and I have not observed any efforts in society to prevent such things especially in the gay community. Has there ever been a gay in the news for turning in another gay for predatory behavior. If there has been any change in the last 40 years it has favored the predatory gays. There is every kind of sexual predator including of course heterosexual. The most appalling thing to me is that those that support homosexuality as beneficial to society for the most part will not acknowledge a predatory threat exist or is probable. If there is any acknowledgement at all there will never be any effort to do anything about it – except make excuses and try to transfer blame. There are gays that are not predatory - I know many personally and include non-predatory gays in my social circle. The Traveler

There is a growing same gender attraction and recruitment going on in our society. Those that have been burned by experience will avoid any possible repeat. Those that have not experienced anything may be blind to what is going on around them. Older people are often left out of the loop. The Traveler

I would target Asia and have the missionaries introduce themselves as someone sent with an important and urgent message from their ancestors. I would begin with teachings of eternal families and genealogy as a divine necessity in saving families from oncoming threats of our times. It is my personal belief that Asians are main body of gentiles to which much prophesies is given in scripture. The Traveler

Jesus the Christ is our example of the Father in heaven. To know Jesus is to know the Father. If you understand what I just said you have an idea concerning a very important doctrine taught by Jesus. Jesus came to earth and revealed himself. In revealing himself he teaches us of the Father. As Jesus made himself manifested unto man many could not distinguish Jesus from any other man. With that and the truth in scripture that man is in the physical likeness and image of G-d we know that except for the exaltation of G-d the Father there is no visual clue that differentiates the difference between G-d and man. If you know of a scripture that teaches otherwise – I would personally be very interested. Hopefully if there is to be definite doctrine established by such a scripture it is not an obscure scripture with possible conflicting variant readings but a powerful scripture that leaves little to interpretation. One thing about “Mormon” doctrine that first must be established is that every point can be understood by scripture even though it may not be according to traditional interpretation of scripture. The Traveler