Traveler

It sounds like your journey through Church history has been quite a rollercoaster of emotions, from bitterness to reconciliation. It's heartening to hear that the bitterness between your religious institutions has softened over time, allowing for collaboration and support in preserving historical artifacts. It seems like a hopeful step towards unity and mutual respect among believers. Thank you!

What can you do with an elephant on the freeway?
   Almost 21 miles an hour.
How do you know if you just passed an elephant?
  The toilet won’t flush.
 
The Traveler

Hmmmmmm --- I would think that graph ought to indicate even greater concern.
 
The Traveler

The economy and commodities are such a weird confusing mixed bag of conundrum in my mind – I am not sure how good of an indicator (especially in the short term before the election) such things are.  In the entire history of civilization there has never been a drop in money supply that was not followed by a depression – I must emphasize a depression not a recession!  We are currently experiencing a drop in the money supply.  With war looming something very serious must give in our economy and supply chain. 
I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to understand all possibilities, but it sure looks to me like all efforts are being made by both political parties (as well as the corporate and financial structures) to kick the can down the road and blame the other party for everything and definitely not to take any responsibility (even a minor responsibility).  I am concerned that any give that arises in either the economy or supply chain will result in a cataclysmic seismic shift.  And with our borders open I am concerned that the first effort of terrorists will be soft targets on our infrastructure which will exacerbate any financial or supply chain problem.
My hope and trust is in the revelations given recently (in the last few years of General Conference).   I am counting on the miracles President Nelson spoke of.  (woops sorry about the ending with a preposition).   I am of the mind and impression that things are so already in motion that the coming election will not matter much one way or the other.
 
The Traveler

Since He's one of 'em, it would be sort of hard for Him to be there without Him present...

that, and from what little I know Israel is a secular state with a large non-Jewish or “Jewish in name only” population. The citizens probably care more about not getting blown up or shot more than not fighting back on the sabbath. 
 

If the enemy attacks on the Sabbath, you defend yourselves on the Sabbath. Israel should not be waiting until May to respond to such aggressions.

I believe that had the Abraham accords been continued under Biden all this would not have happened.  Our country has become so divided (especially with a hatred of Trump) that the democrats were not willing to give Trump any credit for anything (especially in the Middle East) and this is the result.  I wonder how soon that the left wing blames Trump for this whole problem.  From revelation of the restoration, we are told explicitly that although we hear of wars in foreign places – we know not the hearts of men in our own country.
 
The Traveler

Though I would agree with some of your assessments of confusion over plural marriage in the early Church of the restoration – It is my opinion that that your assumptions of Ether 1 are not well founded.  My great grandfather was a polygamist late in the era of Utah polygamy.   He noted in his journal that most of the polygamists of his era were in error and disobedient to covenants concerning their plural wives (among his references of those disobedient was his brother).   He also referred to his entire family as singular.
I speculate that it was more likely that the brother of Jared had married children and thus the reason for plural reference to his families.   Or another possibility is that his first wife had died, and he remarried a woman that was previously married with children and then had more children.  This is only my opinion and I have nothing other than my opinion to reference.  There are other references like Jacob 1 verse 15.
While we are on the subject of plural wives.  Anciently the difference between a wife and concubine was that a wife entered the marriage with a dowry and a concubine had none.  The dowry was considered the property of the wife and if the wife was divorced the dowry had to be given back to the wife.  The same goes if the wife died – her dowry was to be returned to her family or children.
Early in the restored Church there was never a distinction between a wife and concubine – all were considered wives.  Many in modern western civilization think of concubines as illegitimate – akin to current standards of living together or common law wives.
 
The Traveler

There are numerous debates in our society about the need to eradicate (as much as possible) toxic masculinity.  Some would hint that it does not really exist while others are certain that it is standard practice though much of our society.  I would add to all this my personal opinion that toxic masculinity does indeed exist and that it is a growing problem in our society.
First, I would define toxic masculinity as those of that are biologically of male gender that torment and dominate those that are biologically of the female gender, forcing them to be shamed by the masculine dominance over them.  What is odd to me is that many that argue about the problem of toxic masculinity are unable to recognize the very worst cases of it.
As near as I can determine every definition of toxic masculinity is manifested by masculinity dominating in female (feminine) sports.  From depriving women (the biological feminine) from achieving recognition for their athletic achievements to the sexual harassment in the locker rooms where the toxic masculine and their supporters are forcing women to be unwillingly required to undress naked in front of them – often themselves (the toxic masculine) also displaying themselves naked forcibly before women.
I cannot think of a greater display of toxic masculinity that what is being perpetrated by certain masculine individuals and their supports in the arena of women sports.
 
The Traveler

So far two new things have stuck out to me in my reading. 1) Nephi never really leaves the theme of the Tree of Life dream. 2) In the last year I learned that when governments are corrupt it seems as if the very environment is out to punish the society. I could have learned the same lesson through King Noah.

I totally agree with you that toxic masculinity exists, but it’s more silly than destructive. Andrew Tate and his followers are too ridiculous to be taken seriously. 

Woops  It should read all that G-d commands to be included, should be included in scripture.   Sorry for the confusion - and thanks for asking to be clarified.
 
The Traveler

I completely agree. 
This appears to contradict your previous statement. Can you please clarify? 

It is important to understand that not all that is spiritual or is revelation or that leaders have received for the people needs be or should be recorded in what is sometimes called the “standard” works of scripture.  In the Book or Mormon the Book of Jacob chapter 1 verses 2 though verse 6 (more if one intends to maintain the context) Jacob is commanded what to wright as scripture.
What Jacob commits to scripture is not all what was revealed to the Prophets of his day.  Note in verse 5 that Jacob indicates that there were things revealed concerning things that would happen to the people that were not included for preserved scripture.  Note what is not included in scripture was still revelation and important to the people.  Every 6 months the prophets and seers of our generation extend to the people of the Church and world things revealed and commanded concerning the next 6 months to the next Conference.  Often in Stake or regional conferences a sustained prophet and seer may attend to make known revelations received concerning those that are intended to listen.
The most important thing to understand is that all that G-d commands or reveals is recorded in scripture.
 
The Traveler

It is important to understand that not all that is spiritual or is revelation or that leaders have received for the people needs be or should be recorded in what is sometimes called the “standard” works of scripture.  In the Book or Mormon the Book of Jacob chapter 1 verses 2 though verse 6 (more if one intends to maintain the context) Jacob is commanded what to wright as scripture.
What Jacob commits to scripture is not all what was revealed to the Prophets of his day.  Note in verse 5 that Jacob indicates that there were things revealed concerning things that would happen to the people that were not included for preserved scripture.  Note what is not included in scripture was still revelation and important to the people.  Every 6 months the prophets and seers of our generation extend to the people of the Church and world things revealed and commanded concerning the next 6 months to the next Conference.  Often in Stake or regional conferences a sustained prophet and seer may attend to make known revelations received concerning those that are intended to listen.
The most important thing to understand is that all that G-d commands or reveals is recorded in scripture.
 
The Traveler

The wife and I went to visit our daughter and family in Indianapolis to experience the eclipse.  The last bit of it may still be going on but the totality is over.  It has been worth the trip.  My iPhone camera did not work well at all.  As long as just one point of the sun was exposed the amount of light was amazing and is most likely why iPhone camera will not work.  Totality is a little creepy.
I am impressed that in the search for extraterrestrial life there has not been another planet located with a moon large enough and in the right place  so that anyone can experience an eclipse anywhere except on this earth.   So I got to experience something quite rare in this universe.
 
The Traveler

My family is the holder of the best known copy of the Rules of the United Order.  For your fun and enjoyment I have printed out a copy (on my compurter not a photo copy) of the rules of the United Order.
 
The Traveler

The wife and I went to visit our daughter and family in Indianapolis to experience the eclipse.  The last bit of it may still be going on but the totality is over.  It has been worth the trip.  My iPhone camera did not work well at all.  As long as just one point of the sun was exposed the amount of light was amazing and is most likely why iPhone camera will not work.  Totality is a little creepy.
I am impressed that in the search for extraterrestrial life there has not been another planet located with a moon large enough and in the right place  so that anyone can experience an eclipse anywhere except on this earth.   So I got to experience something quite rare in this universe.
 
The Traveler

It's case by case. 
I remember one ward I was in where the position of Gospel Doctrine instructor was given to people who needed to somehow grow into the role. Some people needed to humble themselves, others needed to find their courage, et cetra. 
In contrast, I was finishing up my MBA when I was called upon to be the finance clerk of a YSA branch. Long story short, I had to change the entire culture there as the leadership and clerks had gotten a little sloppy when it came to following official protocols, and even then we almost failed an audit because an attempt to cross-train the membership clerk to do my job ended with the membership clerk deciding to use paper clips instead of staples as per best practices and a key document nearly getting lost as a result. 

You make a great point @Traveler. I was previously in a ward that combined our youth programs with a Spanish speaking branch who met in the same building. The branch president was not very popular among some members of his branch. I don't know what exactly the issue was but it was clear there were some in other leadership positions who thought they could do a better job and even hinted at such. When the branch presidency was eventually reorganized the man called as president had very little if any leadership or administrative experience, he was very introverted and not someone the world would view as a leader at all. But he was humble. Whatever else we may have been deficient in he was definitely humble and that made him a better candidate than the others who appeared to have more leadership "ability". The Holy Ghost is the great equalizer. With the Holy Ghost leaders don't need to be perfect. And if we have the Spirit we don't need perfect leaders.
 

I would add a little thought.  It is written that a testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophesy.  There are many in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that prophesy – even children.  I believe that the greatest error (as prophesied by the Book of Mormon) of the Saints of these Last-days is hearing and seeing through the spirit – much more than it is being mislead by the L-rd’s anointed. Note that all that covenant and worship at the temple of G-d are anointed by the power and authority of G-d.
 
The Traveler

I would add a little thought.  It is written that a testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophesy.  There are many in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that prophesy – even children.  I believe that the greatest error (as prophesied by the Book of Mormon) of the Saints of these Last-days is hearing and seeing through the spirit – much more than it is being mislead by the L-rd’s anointed. Note that all that covenant and worship at the temple of G-d are anointed by the power and authority of G-d.
 
The Traveler

The notion of being "in error" has always interested me.  We're humans for pete's sake.  Being occasionally wrong is part of our mortal probation.  God does not take the humanity of His prophets/seers/revelators away, just because they get called to the work.  From what I can tell, the brethren have spent decades taking great care to make sure their opinions are presented as opinions, and their prophetic declarations are presented as prophetic declarations.  And even taking that into account, I've done better aligning with the brethren's opinions than I have being out of alignment with them.
 

In my youth I had a personal relationship with Apostle Hugh B. Brown.  It has always been my nature to seek out and ask the most difficult questions – at least the questions I considered the most difficult to me.  Like some that have posted I was aware of leader that were obviously in error.  And so I asked Apostle Brown the question – Do we still sustain our bishop even if we know absolutely that they are wrong?  This answer has stuck with me for decades.  Brother Brown looked me squarely in the eyes and said, “You sustain your bishop, especially if he is wrong because he will need your support more then than at any other time.”
Perhaps we do not understand what it means to sustain (support).  There are two parts.  One is to be agreeable, to help, to love, to honor and respect.  The other is like unto the servants of Elijah that held up his arms when he was weak.  When our leaders (or fellow members) are weak or failing – we hold them and their mission and purpose up.  This second part is known in the covenant to not speak evil of the L-rd’s anointed.
My friends @mrmarklin , @ZealoulyStriving  , @Maverick and other Saints of G-d:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just the L-rd’s Church.  The Church also belongs to the Saints of G-d and is why the Saints are included in the name.  I would suggest that if anyone is aware of anyone or anything that is a problem in the Church that they humbly pray to G-d concerning that problem and inquire what it is that they can do (or sacrifice) to assist G-d in his mitigation of the problem.  As I have done this myself  - almost always in such things, the first thing I am commanded to do is to repent.
 
The Traveler