Traveler

For everything there is a season. Balance is overrated - much better to do what needs to be done at the time it ought to be done. My father explained this to me in my youth it this way. You should not be trying to read the Book of Mormon when you are playing second base during a softball game. If you are in the game concentrate on the game - when it is over move on the what-ever it is that you have decided to do next. Now is the time to get your engineering degree. Soon that time will pass and you will begin another part of your life. Having been where you are and done what you need to do I would only advise you stay the course. If your wife does not want you to finish your school in light of other issues then that is another problem. I would say - concern yourself more with learning and preparation and less with grades the grades will take care of themselves (and engineering perspective). If when you are done with school you can decide if you want a job that will pay lots of money or one that will allow you to spend more time with your family. You may want to consult your family on that decision. The Traveler

The problem here is thinking only of the destination and not the journey. Happiness is not getting to what you want but wanting the means to get there. The idea is not to do all the things necessary to get to heaven but learning to love doing the things that will get you there. The Traveler

My favorite - form King Lear I think. "Nothing is as good or as bad as it seams only that thinking makes it so." The Traveler

My information on Salem and Jerusalem came from a Jewish Rabbi. Since Jesus was ordained a high priest after the order of Melchizedek I guess that Jesus was also a Pagan??? You just wiped out any credibility you may have had. The Traveler ← Jesus never spoke of Melcihzedek. Unless you have something the rest of the world doesn't have. As for your Rabbi, it seems he is ill informed. Paul may indeed have been a pagan, considering the distorted views he held. ← Since the record of the Bible covers about 3 weeks in the life of Jesus your presumption that he never spoke of Melcihzedek would indicate that you know more than those of his time that recorded what they did. There is a great deal in Hebrew tradition to reference Melcihzedek. We have historical records such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Nag Hammadi manuscripts, Apocrypha, Pseudepgrapha, Josephus and rabbinical writings. For you to call a rabbi that is a professor of Hebrew at the university of Jerusalem ill informed on the history of Jerusalem indicates that it is you my friend is MOST ill informed. Now you claim Paul was pagan??? Paul was Jewish - As was Jesus. Please my friend I beg you - become informed before you convince us all you have nothing what-so-ever to offer. The Traveler

My information on Salem and Jerusalem came from a Jewish Rabbi. Since Jesus was ordained a high priest after the order of Melchizedek I guess that Jesus was also a Pagan??? You just wiped out any credibility you may have had. The Traveler

We can all speculate as to how symbolism is used in scripture and how prophesy is fulfilled. The Ute word “Utah” literally means “Top of the Mountain”. I fine this a rather interesting literal fulfillment of ancient scripture. The Traveler ← Course, there's absolutely no reason to even begin to suggest that the Top of the Mountain is anywhere but in Palestine. ← Except that Palestine (Jerusalem) is of the capitol of the house of Juda - In my previous post we learn that the power to unite the world will come from Ephraim which means that it will begin some were else. In reality "there's absolutely no reason to even begin to suggest" (to quote someone) that the top of the Mountain has reference to only to Palestine. -- Not from history or Christian thinking. The Traveler

The progressive thoughts of Zion and Jerusalem according to ancient Hebrew has some rather interesting connections. In the days of Enoch a covenant of “peace” was established in the city “Zion”. This city state and government established by covenant was also a type and shadow of things to come when the Kingdom of G-d comes to earth. When G-d commanded Noah to build an ark there was a promise of a covenant of “peace” that would be established with his seed. Patterned after the city of Zion or city of Enoch, Salem was established by Melchizedek. The word Salem means “peace” or covenant of peace. The city of Salem was said to be built on a mountain which also has great symbolism both in regard to physical and spiritual topography as well as worldly (kingship) and priesthood (G-dly) authority. As the city Salem grew and expanded the expansion was build on a second mountain. In the Hebrew language, Salem (or city of covenant of peace) built on two mountains becomes Jerusalem. To many the symbolism of two mountains in the term Jerusalem is an unmistakable prophesy in itself. Add to that the additional reference to a New Jerusalem and we had a dual references to another nested dual reference all coming together as the center place of government for the Kingdom of G-d. That this kingdom will subject all other governments of earth is symbolized in the statement “Top of the mountains”. That is - mountain is also symbolic of government. The idea of a dual kingdom is also prophesied in Ezekiel 37 beginning with verse 15. Here we learn that the dual kingdoms are to become one kingdom which will be united with the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of G-d and all shall be one kingdom. For as man was split off from the Kingdom of Heaven and fell to earth, Israel was split and fell into the kingdoms of the earth or the kingdoms of the Gentiles. And here we learn that all shall come together in a repair of what was divided in the hand of a prophet and leader descended from Joseph through his son Ehpraim. For all that I have studied I know of only the LDS that believe this prophesy will come to pass through their covenant and call to build Zion. The Traveler

We can all speculate as to how symbolism is used in scripture and how prophesy is fulfilled. The Ute word “Utah” literally means “Top of the Mountain”. I fine this a rather interesting literal fulfillment of ancient scripture. The Traveler

Abolish all social program for the mentally and physically fit and install negative income tax. The Traveler

Sorry you are having a tough time. There were times in my life I would have traded you places (like when I received combat orders in the military) but now is not one of those times. I personally think there are two secrets of happiness: 1. Learn to enjoy the journey and not the anticipation of arriving at the destination. 2. Help everyone you find along the way. The Traveler

As some of you may have guessed I am rather cynical when it comes to government or political parties. I have learned that the following really means: 1. Welfare reform = Taxes will increase, government bureaucracy will increase and the amount of dollars reaching the poor will decrease. 2. Government assistance = Taxes will increase, government bureaucracy will increase, money reaching the people that need it will decrease and the political parties in power will pay off their "fat cats". 3. Federal emergency relief = Taxes will increase, government bureaucracy will increase, money reaching the people that need it will decrease and the political parties in power will pay off their "fat cats". 4. Government grants = Taxes will increase, government bureaucracy will increase, money reaching the people that need it will decrease and the political parties in power will pay off their "fat cats". In general any government social program means = Taxes will increase, government bureaucracy will increase, money and services reaching the people that need it will decrease and the political parties in power will pay off their "fat cats". The Traveler

Hmmm, I wonder who the "idiot" is? This is from this mornings Trib: "Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is criticizing Sen. Orrin Hatch's refusal to join members of Congress from Utah and Nevada in fighting to keep nuclear waste out of both of those states. "It's ill-advised," Huntsman said Thursday. "It would be nice to be able to speak with some sense of unanimity as a state and a delegation, as I believe Nevada is doing, on something as important as this." Through a spokesman, Hatch declined to respond to the governor's criticism Thursday." Jon Huntsman is no idiot. In fact he is quite bright. Traveler imagines (apparently) that Huntsman has a different opinion than Traveler and so that makes Huntsman an idiot. Needless to say, I disagree. ← Snow: I know you think that nuclear waist is “just” politics. That is the common mistake of most political idiots. First off there is no such thing as “nuclear waist”. It is all nuclear active material. The highly active stuff can be utilized for high returns with minimal cost to generate nuclear power and events. What is called nuclear waist is active material that does not give an immediate high energy return but its return can be increased by “breading” the material – which is in essence what you are doing when you store enough of it in one place. By the nature of active nuclear material it is not a good idea to dispose of it in one central location anywhere on the planet. It would be wiser to store it in as little quantities as reasonably possible in many different places. This is a matter of physics not politics. You may want to ignore my opinion in this matter. The fact that I am a physicist does color my opinion – that I admit. What on earth is coloring your opinion? The Traveler

And what about Anderson and the Plaza make him an "idiot?" He just tried to broker a decent solution to the snafu. The "idiot(s)" as you call them were former Mayor Corradini, The First Presidency of the Church and the Church's lawyers... I don't think they were idiots but I would be interested to hear why you think they are. ← Snow - I do not think you are very well informed. The LDS church has always owned the property that is now the Plaza. The LDS church offered a 99 year lease of the property (at the cost of $1.00) to the city for a street. At the end of the 99 years the city and the chruch made a agreement for the LDS church to make a private park on the property that they had always owned. The LDS church paid about 1million dollars for the esement rights and right of way for their own private property. Your firend Rocky Anderson was a principle involved in the first law suit that resulted in costing the city and LDS church millions of dollars to settle the issue - and this does not account for LDS wedding parties that were assulted while trying to take photos on their wedding day. It was not until national attention and a foreign visitor was arrested (causing imbarrasment to the city) that Rocky backed down. I would also point out that after 9/11 the FBI discovered illegal forigners (with possible terrorists connections) were working as security officers at the SLC airport. When the FBI moved to remove them from security possitions - Rocky not only filed law suit but publicly said that he would have warned the illegal forigners had he known of the FBI efforts. You may call this politics, and you can call me an idiot for disagreeing with you and Rocky - But private property rights and security against terrorists (as per 9/11) are not a matter of pollitics and political disagreement as you suggest - I see it as a little different than you do. Sorry but if you want to live with terrorists overseeing you travel security that is you right but please do not try to force it on the rest of us - at least not on my watch. The Traveler

Washington has committed to rebuild New Orleans to the tune of 200 Billon dollars. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. There are (were) 188,251 households in New Orleans. That means that the government will spend on average $1,062,411 for every household in New Orleans. Of course these government dollars do not include private insurance or private contributions. My question only concerns the government dollars. Will the government dollars be a “redistribution” of wealth or will it be a matter of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer – not just for New Orleans but the country in general? The Traveler

Well we can now add to the list of idiots. The Great governor of Utah believes that it is a good idea to take all the nuclear waist of the good old USA and store it within 60 miles of Salt Lake City (that is up wind from SLC). Not even Rocky Anderson (the idiot that gave us the main street plaza fiasco along with aid to terrorists that want to work at the SLC airport) is that stupid. The Traveler

That wouldn't be because it will likely conflict with the "word of God"? ← Sometimes I am dumb founded how right you are despite the fact you are clueless but even a broken clock is right twice every day. The Traveler

Many times I have speculated when I knew someone was being released or a ward or stake divided. It is fun to speculate with one exception. I have also been in situation during events that I knew what was happening. At that point speculation is not fun nor is having information others seem to desire. I have learned that those that speculate seem to have the most to say. Those that know seldom let it known what they know. The P of GP (including the B of A) is not for everybody. Unlike the Book of Mormon that has a broad purpose, the P of GP has a narrow audience. Those that are touched by such writings begin to approach a understanding in spirit how such things came to be. Obtaining a Pearl of Great Price does not come easy. The Traveler

Sometimes I think that the way things are stated creates vague misunderstanding. For example the statement “G-d can do anything he wants”. This statement is very misleading. It implies that G-d does what ever he feels like with any wind of whim. I am sorry but I just do not believe it. Rather I believe G-d is a master planner and architect with an eternal perspective. He accomplishes his desires through planning and covenants (commitment) not by mere desire and whim. The other concept that appears to create misunderstanding is that G-d created man as a flawed creature. The logic behind this is that since man exhibits flawed characteristics and G-d created the man the flawed characteristics must be G-d’s fault. There are two problems with this thinking. First man was created in innocents. It is through the fall that man becomes flawed. The second is the notion that because man is in a fallen “no win” situation that the only possible outcome will be to the detriment of man. Thus the divine flaw concept of the creation of man. I believe that the essence of mortality is to grant experience (gain knowledge) of good and evil to the full extent without eternally destroying individuals. There are already some excellent post portraying the roll of Christ in man’s experience and knowledge of good and evil. What I think is missing in some small part is the understanding of good and evil and why it is important. Let me use the example of wealth. Every one thinks they want more money and wealth – am I right? Anybody here recently turn down a million dollars? I do not think so. This is because we lack a plan with an eternal perspective. We think because earning a living is such a burden that we could become free of the burden if we just had a big chunk of change. What many do not realize is that by giving into personal desires so easily we become servants or in bondage to the desire, in this example it is the desire of wealth. We no longer own things but become owned by them. Day by day we become so addicted to our things that they come to control our lives – the more we have the more we are enslaved by them. We become angry if they are scratched or tarnished to the point we will assault other people (even small children – and even our own children and grandchildren) to protect our things. Yet none of these things accompany us when we die. Therefore death is the great end of the cycle were we reap the sweet or bitter end of our planning and commitments. The plan of G-d is that once we have experienced the cycle we will be much better for it. The Traveler

I have a great distrust of both political parties. I came from a family greatly involved in politics. I fell out of favor with the Republicians althoug my father and brother have some influence. (except my father is very old and it seems his money is all that the Relpublicians care about currently). My dauthter wants to run for office when she finishes raising her children - I guess that's what happens to good LDS born in Washington DC. The Traveler

Even in the Bible there is not a direct correlation between translated text and manuscripts. In the case of Joseph Smith there is even greater considerations in that he had assess to seerer stones. I think it is possible that these things could be understood to reference Egyptian G-ds. A study of Baal indicates interesting relationships to Noah, Moses and Christ. It may even be possible that when the current script was made the original meaning had been lost to those involved. You and I have corresponded before - the style and structure of the Book of Abraham is an ancient Egyptian form that was not know during the time of Joseph Smith. The text of the B of A - though related to the remaining script, in my mind, came from something other than the scripts that we currently have. The Traveler

Although Reid is a good friend of other LDS in Washington I personally am concerned. He is the senator from Nevada and is exercised his power to put nuclear wast close enough to SLC to cause health concerns among the largest population of LDS that exist. He did this to keep it out of Nevada. I do not believe he has a firm view of human needs and seems to be very self serving. The Traveler

I believe this ancient script is part of unique and special preparations for those passing from life to a place for the dead as understood by the Egyptians. I think that the origin of what is being presented on the script is help for the person it was buried with; and is to point back to when an attempt was made to offer Abraham as a type and shadow of the messiah. The Traveler

I am sorry but I sometimes choose to scan post because of my limited time dedicated to the internet. There are a few points that I think ought to be developed more. They may have already been address in detail but I may have missed some important points. 1. The concept of perfect. Anciently the concept that is translated into perfect (Matt 5:48) did not necessarily mean without flaw – it meant complete. Although completeness and without flaw are related they carry a slightly different connotation. 2. The doctrine and concept of covenant. The relationship of the Father to “universal law” is based on covenant (this relationship seems to have been missed). All things done by the Father and the Son are according to covenant. It is by covenant that power is obtained and exercised on an eternal scale. Covenant is according to plan and is liberating. Without covenant one becomes bound or limited (damned) by “universal laws” not set free or liberated. 3. The concept of agency: This concept is not entirely interchangeable with choice. It implies power to act in behalf of someone or something else. According to scripture, agency is associated with covenant and the author of that covenant. It appears to me the two authors of covenant for which we may act as agents are the Messiah Jesus the Christ or the other anointed one (meaning messiah) Lucifer or Satan. If I had time I would offer more in order to participate in this discussion to the fine level it has begun. The Traveler

Marsha - are you happy to be reminded that you are older? I wish you well regardless of age or birthday. :) The Traveler

Why does the sun shine on the good and the bad alike? Is that proof that there is no justice? ← Not in this mortal existence.