Traveler

Thank you: This is kind of temporary. I have been traveling (Phoenix area) and do not enjoy the TV in the hotel room. While away from home and other assignments I have posted. But it is back to the normal grind and commitments after Christmas.The Traveler

My opinion for what it is worth concerning public education: I am more concerned in the method used to determine what is taught in public schools that what exactly is being taught. 1. I believe a community, by majority rule, has the right to decide what their children are taught in public schools. 2. A majority is 50% of the registered voters plus 1. I do not believe the federal government has any right to determine what is taught in schools. I believe our constitution places the overseeing of schools to the states. I believe it is more important to keep a separation of federal oversight of our schools than it is to maintain a separation of church and state in our state run schools. Just a note in passing. Currently the public schools in the USA are considered the worse among the industrialized nations - something that has developed over the last 10 years. Last year when I was in Taiwan I was told that anyone being educated in the USA during the last 10 years will not find it helpful to work in Taiwan. The Japanese also feel that during the last 10 years the schools in America have fallen far behind - especially Asian schools. The Traveler

Sorry I missed you post. When posting on the internet I always write G-d. There are several reasons. One is to remind me to be respectful of G-d. Another is that in my travels I have discovered many (Jews and Muslims) will frequent religious forums on the internet - they seldom post because they are afraid of English and they have observed how some with different opinions are treated. Also they are forbidden to copy material that spells out G-d. In the unlikely case they want to copy one of my post and to accommodate them - I take extra care. I have received an e-mail that something I posted was read at a Mosque following the Friday prayers. BTW I also suspect that some post are used for various reasons in parts of the world that would surprise many who post - not knowing how like feathers the wind blows their words. The Traveler

If the ordinances, doctrine, organization and covenants that Jesus established as the Gospel of the Kingdom existed prior to 1830 then there would be no need for the restoration of the kingdom defined by G-d as Christianity. Joseph was told by Jesus that the creeds of those that declared and defined for themself the meaning of Christian and Christianity was a abomination in his sight. This is not to say that there are not individuals that had found favor in G-d’s eye - only that there was no kingdom in which Christ is the king to be found on the earth until the restoration. And I might add that the restoration continues and will continue and be complete and ready for Christ when comes. The prupose of the restoration is so that Jesus will have a kingdom that meats his specifications - not man made creeds - where he will be king. The Traveler

This is a concept of "agency". There are a number of thoughts. 1. That we acted in concert or if you will, we accepted assignments. 2. That we developed a plan and G-d in his wisdom figured how to put the whole thing together. Sort of like directing a choir. 3. G-d gave us a time to come to earth. The better spirits got better times and places. Personally I tend towards #1. I think there could have been variations - such as some volunteered, going before the L-rd and asking - how can I serve? Others waited to be asked and some never intended to fulfill their assignments. I believe the type of souls is given in the parable of the sewer and it’s counterparts in the vision of the tree of life. The Traveler

Jenda: I am sorry for your hardship and greatful you have found relief. I once walked into a simular problem. A friend came to chruch and his wife was black and blue about her face. They had been telling everyone that she fell off one of their horses and was trampled. It did not look hard to believe. But I with my sick humor walked up to my friend, put my arm around him and said, "Peter you have got to stop beating your wife" I thought at the time it was a good joke. He went dead quiet for a while and glared at me and in anger said, "Who told you that, did my wife tell you?" That you have been able to overcome such a hardship is a wonder to me. The Traveler

Ray: You scripture reference is excelent. I use to think I was ready - but the more I learn the more I realize how unready I really am. Please realize I do not critize. It just that it has not been at all easy for me. The reason I avoid sin is not because I don't like to sin - in fact often sin is much more fun than other choises. I avoid sin because it is such a problem to repent and the pain it causes others is just not worth it. Sometimes it just seems that being good should be more rewarding. I have such a hard time being good for nothing :) Take Care The Traveler

It is interesting to me that the Father has never said that he is "proud" of his son. Instead he said "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased".I think that is interesting as well as telling. I am pleased to call you my friend. The Traveler PS. Ray: I promise you that that you do not just give up pride. The Book of Mormon ask a question in this way "Have you been stirped of your pride"? For me, being striped of pride was not fun.

I agree - I think. I would say that what we do is a greater testimony than what we say. My father said that unkind people will be kind when it is easy and everyone expects it but only a truely kind person will be kind when when it is impossible and no one expects it. The Traveler

It was someone that I felt close to and that was younger than me. Many had been looking and calling and night was coming on. The tempeture was droping and I felt that the cold would take my friend it they were not found. I had prayed - several times but it did not seem to work. Finely I offered to give my life in a prayer if my friend would be found. I was then led by the spirit to a place where my friend had gotten under a pile of leaves in an attempt to get warm. They had fallen asleep (tempetures were below freezing). They did not hear the calls because they had fallen asleep and no one had seen them under the leaves though they had stood within a few feet. The manner in which the spirit brought me to the place and had me look under the leaves left me with no question that there was a G-d in heaven helping. Since that time I have been reminded many times by the spirit of my promise.The Traveler

Ray & Jenda: Pride is a cleaver foe. A simple conviction of truth can turn a person prideful. Even a understanding of G-d can make a person prideful. I am sorry to admit that even a sincear thanks from someone can turn a person to pride. And I have never been in an argument but that pride convinced me to do so. And now I must be quiet on this matter before I condemn myself. The Traveler

I cannot describe my testimony of Christ by a one-dimensional occurrence. I can describe elements as parts and even events that have contributed. I think I have always had a feeling there was a Christ from the first stories of my youth that were told to me by my parents. My first life changing experience came at the age of 8. It was my first earnest prayer (prayer with a promise) pleading in behalf of a dear friend that was lost. The spirit told me where to go and find my friend and a life in peril was preserved. At age 13 I was told that the Book of Mormon is a gift of G-d and a light unto the world. At age 17 I was delivered safe from the hands of enemies that sought to take my life. At age 21 I was allowed to serve a two-year mission to give witness of the Christ. At age 23 I was drawn into the wilderness for a month long spiritual quest. At age 26 I married my eternal beloved wife that has help me with our children and the blessing of being a husband and father has been the greatest revelation of the Christ, his love, his grace and his sacrifice. The Traveler

Try "infernal". Sorry The Traveler

Sorry I got lost a little on where this thread is going. I am not sure I am agreeing but I have not had the time to read all the posts. Sorry again. For me faith is quite different. Faith has more to do with what you do than what you think or what you think you are thinking (sorry I included such thinking). When someone has a lot of faith I like the understanding that they are "faithful". Therefore covenant has a lot to do with faith. Without covenant there is no faith or faithfulness I think it is possible to exersize faith when you are not sure you are doing the right thing but realize that you have made a covenant. I think that being faithful is what you do inspite of what is being thought. I also believe that all acts are acts of faith in something and that sometimes our acts and faith are in the wrong things. The Traveler

His work and glory is to bring to pass the immorality and efurnial life of man. :) The Traveler

And yet people "in their right minds" consistently did just that for thousands of years. It seems strange to us, because we've grown up in a monotheistic environment. Ancient peoples though, couldn't grasp the concept of a single, "Alpha" God who didn't want to have images of Him made. They didn't worship the idols persay, they worshipped the deity. The idol was just something physical to represent the deity to the people. Sun, rain, wind, harvest, fertility, etc. Their everyday lives depended so heavily on these things that they would sacrifice whatever they thought these "gods" wanted in order to keep them happy. Even Israel had a very difficult time giving up the gods that they could see the images of day to day for the unseen God Yahweh. I am pleased to see we agree. But I would add that I am very much ammazed at what people will devote their live and energy to - even in our day of such great possibilities. The Traveler

I agree with both your summare and efforts to make the concept your own.Thanks The Traveler

What it is about God that helps me to worship Him is to realize that He is literally our Father and, as you said, He is only doing what He knows is best for us. And the more I learn about His character and attributes, and follow His counsel, the more I realize that He is worthy of my worship, to the point that I want to do more and more of what He wants me to do and become exactly like Him. I wouldn’t worship just anybody, you know. Btw, have you ever thought about what it means to worship somebody, or something? Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols? Or why would anybody in their right mind spend their whole life trying to get things that are going to be gone from them as soon as they die. Anyway, I also know that is why our Lord worships our Father in heaven, and why our Lord urges us to worship Him. Our Father truly does know what is best for all of us. One of the most popular things of worship is money, another is power and another fame but the one that gets the most is pride. CS Lewis once said something like if you think you have conquered pride, you have failed. Thanks for considering my opinion. The Traveler

All of your responses are interesting though not exactly what I expected. I would like to introduce a concept about G-d that I often find missing in the manner that others esteem their worship. I agree that one of the most defining wonders of G-d is his absolute and incredible love. Here is the point. He asks us to worship him, not because he is greater than us, nor is it because of his power or majesty or for any benefit for himself. He has commanded us to worship him because he loves us and he knows that we will benefit through such worship. He also knows that if we attach our worship to something other than him that it will cause us to loose benefit. He commands our worship not because he gets a rise out of it. I actually believe that he is the king of heaven – not because he want to be king but because he knows that his being king is the best possible thing for those in heaven. He does what he does and is what he is out of service. It is a sacrifice for him. He has to give up things in order that we may be blessed with a “Father in Heaven”. The concept that G-d can do what-ever he wants is a most misleading concept. He is devoted to others to a fault; if you want to think of it that way. “For G-d so love the world that he gave his only begotten son.” Why? So we would not parish but have everlasting life. It is all for us. The only time he seems to get upset is not when we cause him pain but when we cause ourselves or other to have to suffer, because he loves everybody and watches out for us all. In fact I would summit that he wants to forgive everybody for everything and get everybody back to heaven. The only ones that will not make it are those that just refuse to cooperate, which strangely enough is most people. They won’t live in the best heaven offers because they cannot abide the “goodness” that is so abundant there. They are in essence so selfish that they are miserable immersed in love and service. So he has prepared a place in which we can all be comfortable doing what we want and being what we want. The final point is that G-d wants us to be just like him – willing to sacrifice and give up things for others, and this is the whole reason for this mortal existence. It is why things happen the way they do. It is why good always suffers and bad seems to get away with everything. Because we must learn to sacrifice for the benefit of others even when they do not care in order to know G-d as he really is. Without this understanding, the joy of a life of compassionate service is lost and there is misery in all that take advantage of you. The Traveler

The question is - What is real; what is precieved or what is? This takes another turn under the theory of quantum mechanics, which implies that any observation alters reality. But if there is no observation how can reality be known. If there is an observation there is also a human effort to relate to something that is thought or believed to be understood. The circle here is comes back to one important point. What can be observed and known and understood in order that we build the knowledge to understand what we do observe? The Traveler

Thank you both for your excellent responses. May I drill down a little deeper into you ideas? I know a "slow minded" person that is loving beyond fault. I also grew up with a dog as a child that was one of the most loving things I have known. In both cases I respected the love but did not feel a need to worship the one that was so loving. Am I to understand that you will worship anyone that will love with a g-d like love or is there something more or else that is the real trigger of your worship? The Traveler

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d. What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute? If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d? The Traveler

Cal: You are so interesting to me. I was just wondering if you happened to catch the speech by the wife of John Kerry. In an attempt to discredit the current first lady Ms. Kerry accused her of “Never having a real job”. I believe Mrs. Bush was a schoolteacher prior to her marriage to George. I was just wondering what you think of someone that publicly declares teaching school is not a “Real job”. The Traveler

JOHN GLENN ON THE SENATE FLOOR - Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:13 - Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living. This IS a typical, though sad, example ! of what some who have never served think of the military. But I do not understand why the Democratic party pretends it knows how to run a country. As I have said before - as bad as the Republicians are the Democrats seem to have not clue. From the Senat floor: Senator Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: "How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?" Senator Glenn: "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... ! To a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job. You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags. You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum; you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men SOME MEN - who held REAL jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a l! ove of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible. I HAVE held a job, Howard! What about you?" For those who don't remember - During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA. Now he is a Senator!

Do we want to force women into dark filthy germ infested alleys to be treated with coat hangers? You know that is what will happen if you out law ------ What did you think would fill in the blank? How about we fill it in with “clean quick sanitary rape and murder in the privacy of your home”. When the courts ruled Roe vs. Wade the question and the ruling was that there is no scientific or religious proof suitable in a court of law that a fetus is human life during the first trimester of pregnancy. Under the laws of this country a person must be considered innocent until “Proven” guilty, therefore there can be no guilty verdict until proof of human life. What then is provable human life? Is a person on life support, to no longer to be considered human life? If someone is in need of CPR for survival, is it a crime to deny life saving assistance? The standard used in all other cases is “brain dead” meaning the brain in no longer able to respond to any cognitive stimulus. No such standard in a partial birth abortion. Did you know that currently it is legal and called abortion to kill a child as long as the birth process is not complete? The child can be breathing on it own, eyes open and responding to its environment – but if the birth process is not 100% complete the life of that child can legally be taken. And what is the method? In most cases of what is called partial birth abortion, the skull is crushed. There is no administering of any painkiller to the child – just a brutal act. Often the child screams during the process demonstrating they were NOT brain dead. And for what reason is such a thing to be allowed? The choice of the mother? It is said that the choice should be left between a doctor and the woman, but a doctor can, by law be denied, license to practice or fired from their employ, in many cases if they refuse to perform the abortion at the request of the woman. It is a lie to say the decision is between a woman and her doctor – an out right lie! How can we even think to allow the finger to be placed on the nuclear trigger by someone that will willing support without any question the crushing of the skull of a (very brain alive) child breathing on it own? Let alone someone that promises to never appoint any judge to any level of our courts that does not support 100% without question, such action? What justice can we possibly hope for? The Traveler