Traveler

My friend Skalenfehl: I think you are close - perhaps you have it down. What does this all mean in simple stright forward terms. How does this translate into life. For example, is there a differenc between a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Is a broken heart the opposit of a hard heart? You speak of a soft heart and a broken heart is there something different in the meaning or did you intend the same thing? The Traveler

Sister Drew: Your picture is lovely and your manner plesent. Thank you for shairing your thoughts. The greatest calling in this life is marriage. Marriage is a greater "mission" than a two year mission. If you have not done so yet - plan to serve an eternal mission with your loving husband and covenant before G-d in his temple. The Traveler

Welcome back. When you come to attend church plan on attending the priesthood (priest) quorum meeting. The Bishop is the president of the priest quorum - after priesthood tell the Bishop you are interested in preparing to be ordained to the priesthood. The Traveler

What do the scriptures mean when they reference the heart? In particular what is meant by a “hard heart” or to be hard hearted? What does it mean to Love G-d with all your heart? It is obvious that the references to the heart are symbolic of something. Is there among us someone that understands the scriptures or “guess” what the scriptures mean? Is there a literal meaning or is this understood as a symbolic reference? The Traveler

The first step towards evil is the step of selfishness. The frist step toward good is sacrifice of self. The Traveler

I rest my case. The Traveler

I suggest you become more familiar with the book of Job. If we have hope of Christ in this life only we are of men most miserable. The Traveler

I have perhaps the worse mother-in-law on the planet. One time when we were having a discussion about my wife’s and my children I told her if she had a problem with the children she could leave our home. She responded that she would treat children any way she wanted and that there was nothing I could do and that I could not make her leave until she was ready. I then went to the phone and called 911 and told them to please send the police before a domestic dispute turned violent. I then turned to my mother-in-law and said that unless she wanted to spend the night in jail she would be gone before the police arrived. My advice. If you have something to say about you in-laws, say it to them not anybody else. Do not be rude and vindictive. Do not make threats – if you are going to do something then do it. Then on the other hand, be forgiving and kind if you make an error then error of the side of compassion. Always be the first to say you are sorry, even if they are wrong. Be kind and mean it. Never do anything for yourself but to protect your wife and children. Never make it a you against them thing. Make sure they understand your devotion to your spouse and children. If you are worthy of their criticism then take it and be sorry for it. If you are not worthy of their criticism then their opinion does not matter anyway. As I already said do not make a big deal about yourself or your feelings. I get along with my mother-in-law better than any of her children. Most likely she will have to live her last days in my home because none of her children will care for her and she and her husband have no means to take care of themselves. And she is the mother of my wife that I love more than life. The Traveler

My father was a very wealthy man but I though we were poor until I made an accidental discovery in college. We lived in a small house (that my father got in essence for free) and the family car was an old beater that we would repair ourselves. I asked my father (when I found out he was wealthy) why we lived in such a poor house and had so little. He told me that the worse plague on the earth is rich kids and his kids would never be a part of it. I remember many times neighbors would come to my father for help. He never gave anybody a hand out and he never turned anyone away. Often he would say that he had some jobs for the neighbor and their boys that he would gladly pay them to help him. Sometimes they would turn my father down but most often they would do the jobs and be glad for the opportunity. My father believed that work was the solution to everything. If I was out late at night he would get me up at 3 am to do various things that had suddenly become an emergency. Now I will tell you my father’s great secret of wealth. He was asked many times for the secret of wealth and I have lived it and know it to be true. The first thing is to think of tithing as an investment. Having G-d as your active partner in what you do is just good sense. The next great secret is learning to love work. He thought work was more fun than play. Many times he told friend that no one could be wealthy and honest unless they loved to work. He also said most people think that if they are rich they won’t have to work but such thinking was more evil than being a thief. Work is a principle of the gospel and is in part why all should have callings. If you love work you will never have to look for a job because opportunity will not only find you but beg for your involvement. He taught me that the only way to learn to love work is by doing work and always doing more than is expected – never do less – ever. Work is an acquired taste and requires a lot of practice to get good at it. The final great secret is to always spend less than you earn. Never even come close. Dad said that after 10% tithing that you should pay yourself 10%. That 10% is not a savings to spend later but for investing. You cannot be rich without investing and you cannot invest unless you save and you cannot save unless you spend less than you earn (and you can not earn unless you work). From the time I was 8 years old I was required to work. Dad, more or less required that I pay tithing and then set aside some (at least 10%) for investing before I could do anything else with my money. My wife use to have a hard time watching the investments just keep growing. She feels very different today. Our investments make 3 times what we do working. My brother’s favorite saying is that most people do not understand interest. It does not matter what they say – the way to tell if anybody understand interest is weather they pay it or get paid it. If they pay interest they do not understand it. Debt is the happy road fools glady take to poverty. The Traveler

I thought you had given up and left. So I will ask again is death to be considered as evil prevailing over an individual despite the resurrection. In the same manner evil does not prevail in apostasy because of the restoration. The Traveler

Jonathon – a couple of things. I do not know of anywhere in scripture that the differentiation of G-d the Father, G-d the Son and God the Holy Ghost are differentiated as persons or personalities. The Hebrew word to describe “one” G-d is ehad and when the singular meaning is invoked specifically means a single entity that cannot ever be subdivided. Ehad also has a plural meaning that implies unity as when a Man and a Woman become “one” in the marriage covenant. There is no LDS doctrine concerning a mortal probation of the Father. Jesus once said that he has done nothing but what he has seen the Father do. Speculating on what the English version of this meant is risky in my view. I believe anything is possible with G-d’s help – including understanding his nature. I have a thread most likely buried, because no one knew how to respond, called the Nature of G-d and the reason of salvation. You might find that interesting if you can find it. It is under LDS Gospel Discussion – maybe a page or two off the front. You may find the opinion interesting. The Traveler

I count you as a kind person. That is the #1 thing I believe indicates that someone is a Christian. I believe that some think that attending certain churches makes them a Christian. I do not think that attending any church (including LDS) makes anyone a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes someone a Chevy.The Traveler

Everyone must covenant with G-d and obey all his commandments. Marriage is a commandment of G-d. It is quite possible that there will be more women to accept G-d's covenants than there are men. Currently there are more women than men in the church. When I served as a missionary women were more likely to listen and be baptized than men. No one has anything to worry about – G-d will not force anyone to do anything they do not what to do. The Traveler

Roman has been around a long time and does not like LDS. If you are expecting a rational discussion you will be greatly disappointed. If you were a lawyer and had not figured it out by now – if you are LDS attempting to address Roman you must treat them as a “hostile” witness. The Traveler

Please try to be honest and accurate - the discussion is about Apostasy. What on earth is the difference between apostasy and total apostasy concerning the things of G-d? If there was no apostasy at all, what-so-ever, why are you a protestant and not Catholic? you are so funny. The Traveler

Some time ago I implied that we all should consider the origin of our thoughts. I would make reference to J. Rawlings (or whatever the name of the author of Harry Potter is) and Nicola Tesla. Both indicated that their “inventions” were not internally generated but thoughts that “would come to them” from time to time. Many of the world’s genius claimed that their “abilities” were not really theirs but that things came to them. Some other examples; Beethoven, Gandhi, Jesus, Mohammad and Alexander the Great. Many think that the scriptures indicate that if a person claims to believe the “correct” doctrine that we can know if they were inspired of G-d. Jesus taught that the results of the inspiration indicates if it was good or evil and thus if it was of G-d or not – by their fruits you shall know them. In the epoch story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes to a fork in the path and she asks the cat what path she should take. The cat asks, “Where are you going.” To which Alice answered, “I do not know.” The cat responded, “Then it does not matter.” Likewise if we do not know from where our thought come or where they take us – our will and choice cannot play a part. To my friend Digital Shadow: Good software design will not only take into account the possibilities of how the various outcomes of that program cna be reached but the variety in which the “operator” interface will be utilized. Maybe it is not just the destination that must be acquired but the “intelligence” that must be “mastered” in order to proceed. The Traveler

The preisthood session is intended to be more personal. Often that session is edited before it is made public. The Traveler

Events that occurred over 300 years following the death and resurrection of Christ brought about the destruction of the library of Alexandria and the world plunged into the time known as it darkest era of history – the Dark Ages. When Jesus spoke to Peter about the establishing of his kingdom and society the foundation was indeed being forged and the pattern of the kingdom was established for all time. Your interpretation of “prevail” in association with the forces of evil opposing G-d’s kingdom is short sided. There are many other ways to interpret what this meant. Peter was put to death by evil forces but in the resurrection we have symbolism of the eventual triumph of good over evil. Likewise in the apostasy evil did not prevail over good but in the restoration of the Kingdom of G-d – with apostles and prophets - according to the ancient kingdom established by Christ good will triumph over evil. So that in the last days the kingdom of G-d would be established again and like the resurrection restored to the same that was created by G-d as it was before the kingdom was brought low and forced by men to resemble the organization of the Pagan Roman Empire. Which was like unto a death but like the resurrection the restoration keeps evil from prevailing over the kingdom of G-d. The Traveler

Xanmad33: I posted a thread titled “The nature of G-d and the reason of salvation” under the LDS Gospel Discussion forum. If you are interested it indicates my view of many in the religious community attempting to speak of the nature of G-d and salvation and why I personally find their witness bogus, hypocritical and in general lacking. Anyone can claim to have a personal relationship with G-d – and they may even believe that they do. What a person says or believes is not what determines truth. For many that claim to be Christian there is often little evidence to convict them if a court were held – especially if the methods they suggest for others were applied to themselves. The Traveler

Perhaps I should take this a different direction. I once did some consulting for the treasury department. While there I learned that there is a 100% fool proof method of determining when US money is counterfeit. It is also interesting to me that most people (even experts in money – like bankers) do not know this method. Well if they were asked they most likely will talk of other methods and when reminded would say – Oh that is right. But for the most part they forget. Anyone care to guess what is the 100% fool proof method for exposing a counterfeit? Just as a side note to Misshalfway: The spirit of G-d is a step required for truth but it is not the only step required. The Traveler

Thank you for reading my post. There is a time and a season appointed for all things. At one time of my youth, I played softball. My father who was a very spiritual and devoted man that did not play softball once explained to me that although the scriptures are important there are times to look to and pay attention to other things. He said that while I was playing second base is not the time to be reading the scriptures. He then counseled me not to be so heavenly minded that I am of no earthly use. If we are to integrate science and religion we must understand both. If we are to expect those expert in the methods of science to try the methods of faith we must also be willing to try the methods of science as an example of how we would like our concepts of faith accepted. The technical advances that allow us more time to pursue religious things have come about because of the understanding of scientific principles that many religious individuals do not accept; yet they are will willing to enjoy the comfort of the advances. This results in many scientists resenting and looking upon those who focus mostly on that which is religious as hypocrites. The Traveler

Willow: This is a good post that demonstrates some thinking. Geometry is a rudimentary language form based in what is called mathematics. It allows us to make various assumptions and then use the language to discover relationships that must exist if the original assumptions are correct. Your mind is excellent because you quickly recognized that the relationships can only be true if the original assumptions are correct. How then can we know if the original assumptions are correct? Is there a method or must we guess? When someone talks about truth in say politics or religion we can logically determine if the truth construct are proven by logical (or rhetorical) methods (which most in religion and politics refuse to do). But how can their assumptions be validated. I find it interesting that many in the field of religion refuse to consider their assumptions and are angered if their assumptions are even called into question. The Traveler

Thank you for responding. Please allow a question. How do you know that the hurt is not self manufactured and imagined and not in reality real? I know individuals that have lost entire limbs and they will still experience pain and hurt in the missing limbs. Maybe it is not really pain that hurts but your interpretation of pain that hurts. What I am trying to do is determine if you really know this or if you jumped to a quick conclusion that in reality is not exactly or completely true. The Traveler

This is a most interesting subject but I do not know where to begin. For example in quantum physics there are “moments” in which the balance of matter can change. In other words matter can be either created or destroyed. These “moments” are given the official name of quantum anomaly. Electrons are quite famous for this trick. As far as sub atomic particles (particle physics) – I would point out that such particles are not sensed directly but indirectly; mostly by measuring their effect on other particles that we can measure and think we already understand quite well. For the most part I am amazed when one of my scientist friends tells me that they do not believe in G-d. Often I will ask if they believe in electrons. Usually they say yes. I then respond with how interesting it is that they believe in electrons but do not believe in G-d. I explain that from all that I know of electrons and the many really un-logical things involving electrons that I seriously believe it takes less faith to believe in G-d than electrons. Let us start with something really simple and ask the question – Are electrons really a particle or are they really energy (wave) or is it really possible that they are something all together different? We just make up stuff because we do not have any other way to explain all the contradictions we face? Much of knowledge is very dependent on some degree of faith. The more we really know the more faith we must exhibit in order to move forward to learn and discover more. Especially when it comes to useful applications. How much is necessary to understand about electrons before we are willing to turn a light on? A good scientist builds as best as they can upon the information that they can explain and then attempts to make sense of what cannot be explained. When they fail they do not reject the whole notion but continue forward until they have a better notion that will explain more. Then they try to push the cycle of knowledge to another step. Why do we not utilize this method with G-d? Sometimes I believe that it is because some are trying to hold on to a notion of G-d that is so flawed that sense cannot be made of anything let alone move to a next level. So that G-d becomes so unknowable and without reality that the argument is changed to the unworthiness of anyone that expects a straight answer. The Traveler

Let us begin with something simple. Can any one explain a truth that they know that they discovered and the method they used to verify that it was true? Lets keep this as simple as possible. I am asking for any truth the simipler the better. In other words it does not have to be religious. For example - is the earth round? How do you know it be be true? The Traveler