Traveler

I wanted to ponder a bit before responding. In this thread there is a discussion about inanimate objects having a spirit. Electrons are interesting objects that are thought to be inanimate. I am convinced that individual electrons have individual spirits and intelligence. In the quantum world we define electrons with probabilities. The reason is that not all electrons will act the same under the same conditions. As we increase the number of electrons we are “observing” the more it becomes evident that some electrons are defying the physics that seems to govern them. No one has ever come up with a good explanation for quantum entanglement. I chose electrons for this discussion because our physical human bodies will not function without the operations of electrons. We would not even be able to think, see, talk, move – is short even exist as humans without the separate intelligence of electrons. Scripture tells us that physically we come from “dust” and to “dust” we shall return. You quoted from the D&C 93 and I do not disagree at all – except that the physical part of us does indeed have influence as to how we behave and act. We measure much of our human intelligence by how well our individual brains operate. And there is more. The scriptures talk about the “natural man” in terms of that physical influence over us. The scriptures also talk about repentance and how we become a “different” creature. For myself, I am still pondering what I am and if I truly can become a different person. I tend towards (with faith and hope) the possibility that it is likely that we are all on a path that will change what and who we are. The Traveler

I have pondered how to join the conversation. We can get different views and understanding of things, like intelligence, by considering from a standpoint of macro or micro thinking. We get a similar result in physics from Newtonian or quantum physics. Even if we are just considering who and what we are we think of our body and what is encompassed within it as that which defines us. But as we look at our physical entity at the micro level, we find parts of us constantly being reborn at a cellular level. Over a 7-year period there is a complete turnover of our living cells. And all these living cells evolve as they are being turned over. So, after 7 years are we really the same being? We also learn that here are living cells within us are of different DNA. It could be said that they are different creatures with whom we have formed a symbiotic relationship, and as it turns out there are more of those cells than there are of the cells that carry our unique DNA. Now there is another question, are we really a unique singular individual entity? I believe we have the same macro micro problem with our intelligence. Our immune system is both a strange and a wonderful intelligence that seems to operate completely without our awareness. We, as unique individuals, have intelligence beyond our cognizance and awareness. Perhaps the best definition of intelligence we are given through science. There are two parts. First the ability to learn and second is the power to change the outcome. One way to characterize learning and changing the outcome is in the scientific notion of evolution, especially the evolution of life and intelligent life. Having worked with artificial intelligence during my lifetime contributions – it appears to me that distributed intelligence working as one is the most powerful. We see this in what we call ecosystems of many complex parts working together creating a common good for all. Finally, is the concept of freewill or agency. My main concern is that agency is not simply a choice. It hast to be much more than that. We have to choose the outcome and not what is at the moment – else it is not a choice but rather a guess. In this life, what we know and experience between birth and death is too uncertain for any choice to be stable and reliable. We are primarily guessing the outcome. The only possibility for consistency is that the exercise of agency can only be actual if there is a pre-existence and a post death exercise of will completing the process. I find this concept to only exist in part in reincarnation but only realistic in LDS theology. But I believe there are still logical holes that are unexplained or understood. We believe that all things were known by G-d as to what would take place in our lives, but only if we were allowed to choose through our agency what takes place can there be the exercise of freewill and agency. The Traveler

Perhaps my post was misunderstood. Just as G-d is the means of light, of course Satan is the means of darkness. There is a third part in all this – it is fallen mankind. If mankind cannot tell the difference between light and darkness at the level that is being experienced there is no way humanity will succeed – be able to follow the light or even know what the light is. Let me put this another way with two examples. One is balancing a check book the other is navigating a cruse missile. The common thought is that it is okay to be off a little or have little mistakes. The truth is – if we are off a little with what we are keeping track of – then there is no way to know how far we have wandered off course because of our slight deviation. The scriptures say it this way – to him that knows to do good and does not do it – to them it is sin. The reason I say Satan is more of an excuse is because if we cannot identify the exact point where the correct course has been deviated from then our means of navigating light and truth has failed. The only possible result is to remain lost or at the mercy of our financial ignorance. The problem is not Satan but rather with us in finding his temptations more exciting than following the light. All this is like when I was helping my children with learning math. They would say that math is hard or complicated. I would say to them that such thinking is wrong. Math is simple, easy and in no way complicated. It only becomes complicated and difficult when we apply the principles incorrectly or settle for mistakes that we know and have been taught are wrong. You can do it your way if you like but if your way is not the math way – you will always be wrong. It does not matter what is getting better or worse in this world – The question is all about us as individuals. Are we getting better or worse. At my age, just about everything is getting worse for me. I am not as good at anything as I used to be. Just for fun, I took a jump skiing – I used to do such things a lot. I will never even try it again. I figure I have about 10 more years of production and being able to contribute anything of value to this mortal existence. The Traveler

Pardon my response – but I do not believe Satan is the answer to why people are being mentally and spiritually depressed. Satan, in my mind, is an excuse. My scientific background is concerned with what has changed. I like to quote Alma with a little addition of my own with the following: “Wickedness never was happiness, but it was sure fun while it lasted.” I know why I am a happy person. It is simply worth the effort. I have discovered that the first step towards being happy is discipline. With discipline comes accomplishment. With accomplishment comes joy and happiness. Without discipline everything eventually becomes a disappointment. One of the most difficult situations of my life my time in the military – and yet I would not trade my experiences. One of my best commanders passed on a critical thing he had learned. If the unit is experiencing failures and the moral is falling – increase the regiment and discipline. I applied this principle when I was a scout master (the most difficult calling of my life). We spent a lot of time practicing making fire without matches and doing orienteering. When we went camping our tents were in a row and we spent most of our time accomplishing objectives. (I will not go into detail of the problems I had with parents that felt I was too hard on their children). The kids that achieved and were able to go on a special activity once a year – like snowmobiling through Yellowstone in winter. All this was over 40 years ago. A couple of Christmases ago a group of my scouts came to visit me and remarked that our camping trips were the happiest time of their lives. What surprised me the most was that they looked back at the punishment discipline, that often got me into trouble, as some of their most memorable fun??? The Traveler

I have experienced that being close to speakers at a concert (Kurt Bestor, Piano Guys) is not good and will contribute to hearing loss. I felt somewhat the same seeing “Wicked” in a theater. Having spent a great deal of time in industrial settings – I am aware of laws that require hearing protection for sound volumes. Sounds below 70 dB are considered safe; 85 dB and above are considered unsafe (usually with extended periods). I am not an expert at dB levels but it seems to me that many enjoy entertainment with dB levels over 100 dB. I realize this is a free country and I do not like government incursions into private lives – but I also realize that children (under the age of 25) lack the cognitive executive brain functions to respond properly to adults pushing limits. I am open to suggestions but there ought to be consequences. The Traveler

I have heard that Elder Nelson, Elder Eyring and Elder Holland are all in bad health and are struggling. This may be their last conference. In my youth it was considered a great honor to attend a conference session at the Tabernacle. I have only attended twice at the new Conference Center. I used to think the greatest personal revelations for me came from the Saturday Evening Priesthood session. I sometimes think that things are currently toned down a bit for worldwide broadcasting. I think I have to listen more carefully now to get what I seemed to get out of conference in the past. I believe there will be some changes. I used to take notes – not on talks by my personal impressions (something a Stake President taught me on my mission). I think this will be a good time to renew that practice. I had an epiphany recently about changes during my lifetime – When I was born, it was into a time period and society that was as close to the era of the Civil War in our history as to what we have today. Many of the life skills I thought to be important are now mostly lost in time. I do not understand where the depressions (spiritual and mental) of today have come from and have become so profound in the rising generations. Sometimes I think that the Saints of my youth were better prepared to the second coming than where we are today – but back then, there were hardly a million Saints, and we were quite isolated. Now days, it seems I can travel the world and attend a Sabbath service with the Saints wherever we are. I think that this time, it may be about time. The Traveler

There is a good possibility you are correct. I am quite old, but I still believe that I hear the difference between recordings and live performances. Even from our old grand piano or my martin concert classic guitar. Last year my audiologist said I have about a 5% hearing loss but have developed a great deal of wax buildup – that requires biweekly cleaning. The Traveler

Family is the most expensive hobby I have encountered. The Traveler

There was a time when I desired a decent sound system in my home. Because I am an engineer – I did my research. There are two general types of speakers, acoustic suspension (sealed) speakers and ported (open or reflex) speakers. Generally speaking, ported speakers are better at making noise and acoustic speakers are best at reproducing specific sounds. I designed my home stereo sound system with an array of various acoustic speakers at the front for sound stability and accuracy with two matching ported rear speakers and a 16-inch subwoofer for maximum depth. I had to have a custom amplifier to distribute the proper frequencies to the proper speakers. I really loved my system. I could listen to a full choir and orchestra, close my eyes and pick out individual instruments and voices and where they were located. The good old days of accurate sound systems are long gone and shattered by digital sound systems that chop off a great deal of the overtones kept and maintained by analog systems. There is something else everyone should know about the music (sounds) they listen to, especially those that are digital. Very low sounds (around the 10 hertz) cannot be heard by humans but can cause significant damage to the human ear. This can cause many to increase the bass volume for their own enjoyment that is painful to others that maintain accurate hearing abilities. One may think that listening to their music their way is their right. This is hardly the case. Noise pollution has a way of reaching beyond the creator of it into the space of those not impressed by the waisted energy – to the point of even causing injury. I believe scripture says it best that the miserable like to pass their misery on to others – and I would add – weather the others desire it or not. The Traveler

I believe we are looking at the equivalent of modern era Gadianton Robbers. Here is an AI overview: In the Book of Mormon, the Gadianton robbers were a secret, criminal organization founded by a Nephite named Gadianton, known for their use of murder, plunder, and secret oaths to destabilize society and overthrow governments. The Traveler

Sanders is a glowing example of how a lifetime politician can become a multi-millionaire far beyond their salaries. I think he knows a great deal about how the “real” world works – which has more to do with corruption than public service. The Traveler

As I have posted previously, I am not a fan of either the republican or democratic party. I am concerned that there are elements of deep corruption and secret combinations eating away like termites at our foundations of freedom and liberty. There was hope that an outsider, like Ragan and now Trump could right the ship. For example, Ragan discovered 3 primary reasons the Social Security was going broke – but it never got fixed. I realize that it is early in the second term of Trump, but I am seeing what I believe to be a beginning of an end. There is so much corruption and waste. In addition, there is the military industrial complex. Perhaps the Achilles heel of fixing everything is the insistence that Trump is the only one that can do (and here you can fill in the blank). Perhaps the chink in the armer is twofold, Hamas in Gaza and the Russia Ukraine war. It will take some time – but that time is starting to run out. The Traveler

Actually, I think it is the other way around. Many religionists want to strictly define G-d with philosophical terms (that are not in scripture) like omnipotence and then claim that it is not just (or correct) to blame G-d for many of the things that happen. It is such nonsense from religionists that drives a lot of deep thinkers to become atheists and agnostics. I am so delighted with LDS theology that understand G-d is aware of all possibilities and is wise or smart enough to take advantage of it for the good of all regardless of their agency or free will. The Traveler

I do not think that has been historical. When there was a political advantage - a state was established or vise versa. The Traveler

There are a number of strategic and natural resources in Greenland that by themselves will demand increases in military and industrial presents – this means more people. But for me that really is not the point. Greenland is of such critical importance that two senators with direct ties to that territory is essential in governance. The greatest problem I see with our government is an incredible lack of transparency. At one point in my life, I volunteered to be a lobbyist (without pay and at my own expense). With very rare exception, I believe that if the citizens of this country knew what their bureaucrats and elected officials were doing – they would rise up, drag these governments “servants” out into the streets and lynch them. The fact that so many professional government types hate Trump is just about the only thing I like about him. Many realize that our government waist more than it accomplishes. The most socialistic elected person in our government is Bernie Sanders who is a multi-millionaire. He did not make that but load of money from his salary, honest compensation or by socialistic principles. For the record, I would support anyone that is willing to represent those that elect them with full transparency of what is actually going on. I think that the larger the population the easier it is to hide what is going on from them. I could not mind dividing up the states we already have – even to having a upper limit in population for a state. The Traveler

The problem I have with the standard Christian meaning of omnipotence it that it does not include agency or freewill of mankind. If anyone has the power to determine their destiny then G-d is not omnipotent. The Traveler

Are these legal restrictions? The Traveler

Why is that? The Traveler

We tend to think in limited terms. In short, we think of the authority of the priesthood in mortal terms. There is a great work that takes place when we pass from this physical realm into the spiritual realm to await the resurrection. All things pertaining to the kingdom of G-d are done by the authority of the priesthood. Verse 59 or section 20 has particular importance. All that are ordained to the priesthood have the authority to bring others unto Christ. However, the keys of the ordinances are only available in our physical mortal state. The Traveler

It is my understanding that the term alpha and omega is a reference to all things being encompassed and overseen. I personally like this reference better than the standard religious notion of divine omnipotence. The Traveler

I sometimes do not express in depth all that I am thinking. I intended to purport that street gangs, even with all their local sophistication are not beyond the capabilities of the local police. I am of the mind that our federal authorities (like the FBI) and our federal elected politicians would be better utilized with focus on organizations beyond the scop of local police. The Traveler

I am of somewhat different mind. I do not wear any kind of jewelry. Not even a watch or wedding ring. Especially on men – I believe such things to be vain. But I must be careful. I have never been able to become attached to things – especially physical things. I do believe in stewardship. I do not understand fashion (especially clothing with unnecessary holes – I believe to be a public display of stupidity) and yet I do believe in organizing and taking care of things in my stewardship. I do not understand why people (especially people with pets) insist on living in filth. I would say something about wearing a cross. It seems to me that if you think such identifies you as a Christian – that you have no idea who Jesus Christ was or what he taught. When I am asked my religion, I respond by telling them that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I use the word disciple because it requires discipline that I believe is a necessary element of true worship. I like almost everybody and find it difficult to love those I do not like very much. I am aware that I am difficult for some to like but I do not know anyone as my enemy. The Traveler

This is what I expected but to clarify for both myself and other readers – street gangs, though a public threat, are territorial and lack the sophistication to operate effectively beyond their specific and limited geographical turf. They are not a national threat that requires (or even needs) federal oversite and coordination. The Traveler

I remain convinced that the best possibility for improving health care is legally to treat it (specifically financially and service availability) as a public utility. The Traveler

There are issues with “free” health care that I never see addressed. The main issue is what to do about individuals that deliberately seek and choose unhealthy behaviors that directly affect their health adversely? The two greatest health issues in the USA are the result of sedate lifestyles of minimal physical activity and obesity. And yet, at the same time, the two most “prescribed” institutionalized health care provided are drugs and surgery. If one does not take responsibility for their own health, all the charity (government or otherwise), all medical help (drugs, surgery, advice or whatever) becomes useless and wasted. I also believe that there is a great misunderstanding about the United Order being somewhat like socialism. Both ancient and modern scripture condemn idleness and teach that those that are idle are not to be care for. See Doctrine and Covenants 42:42. For any individual to be free and enjoy liberty – they must first be responsible. There obviously are exceptions, which boils down to the very young, the very old and the very incapable. Not even G-d is merciful towards the deliberately irresponsible. In all of societies the worse applications of mercy are those that preside over the societies of the world and dictate how mercy and compassion is metered out. Nether mercy nor compassion can be forced by any means, because the moment it is, mercy become unmerciful, and compassion becomes uncompassionate. The Traveler