Traveler

I agree.  However, we also learn from the Book of Mormon that when the Gadianton’s take power they will turn against each other (as prophesied with the fall and destruction of the Nephite empire).  We also know that the primary targets (to control, replace or destroy) of the Gadianton’s are the individuals that control governments, elected officials, bureaucrats, judges and lawyers.
If their power is threatened the Gadianton types tend to become deadly violent.  Though it seems that common sense is returning to government – I suspect that the engines of reform will not be tolerated for long.  If such engines of reform cannot be controlled the Gadianton’s are quick to determine to eliminate it at all costs.   I suspect that the next two years will be difficult (to say the least) for republicans to fulfill their agenda.  We will find out many things about hidden swamp creatures
 
The Traveler

The Gadianton's are alive and thriving throughout the world.  I believe they are competing bands with common goals and even know each other.  When THE anti-christ appears he will unite them under his rule.  All one has to do is read those sections of the BoM and read the talks on the same topics by prophets and apostles.  It is plain to see if you look.

merry christmas.

The same to you and yours, @Traveler!   

You too bro. 

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

I was traveling in the UK with some friends earlier this year.  We were in Ireland for church.  There were about 6 couples attending a little ward and I was very impressed.  Though the ward was not large it was very friendly.  I do not know if Scotland is much different.  There are good families in the UK.
I am of the mind that you will be guided by the spirit.  I believe that the single greatest opportunity for our youth in preparing for marriage is a willingness to serve a mission.  When I was on my mission, often I was asked how many missionaries were serving in my mission.  My standard response was, “About half of them”.   I think this is similar to the ward members listed on the membership rolls.
There were just over 1 million members when I served as a missionary.  Most of the members were in Utah followed by California that made up close to 80% of all members.  When I was in the army – I was the only LDS in my company.  I only knew of one other active member on the base.  He and I were the only members showing up at church at a tiny branch nearby.  Things have a way of working out.  Those that honor their covenants have nothing to fear. 
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

Alma talks more on this in Alma 42 verses 14-15:
Until G-d suffered the atonement part that redeemed the sins of the world there could be no mercy.  Combining your scripture with this seems to me to indicate G-d did obtain knowledge (and all else necessary) so that there could be mercy.  I have the impression that there is more – in that Jehovah is the proctor of our agency which brought about the fall.  This being the case G-d is also complicit in the fall because know that man would fall because they were given agency.  Therefore, it is just for him to suffer for our sins, even though he, himself, had not sinned.   Anciently perfect is an indication of completeness.  In the meridian of time he did atone and redeem all our sins.  The end result is that he could also succor those that repent.  Other verses in Alma 42 indicate that without the atonement that satisfies justice – G-d could not have been able to extend mercy.
 
The Traveler

I was traveling in the UK with some friends earlier this year.  We were in Ireland for church.  There were about 6 couples attending a little ward and I was very impressed.  Though the ward was not large it was very friendly.  I do not know if Scotland is much different.  There are good families in the UK.
I am of the mind that you will be guided by the spirit.  I believe that the single greatest opportunity for our youth in preparing for marriage is a willingness to serve a mission.  When I was on my mission, often I was asked how many missionaries were serving in my mission.  My standard response was, “About half of them”.   I think this is similar to the ward members listed on the membership rolls.
There were just over 1 million members when I served as a missionary.  Most of the members were in Utah followed by California that made up close to 80% of all members.  When I was in the army – I was the only LDS in my company.  I only knew of one other active member on the base.  He and I were the only members showing up at church at a tiny branch nearby.  Things have a way of working out.  Those that honor their covenants have nothing to fear. 
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

I was traveling in the UK with some friends earlier this year.  We were in Ireland for church.  There were about 6 couples attending a little ward and I was very impressed.  Though the ward was not large it was very friendly.  I do not know if Scotland is much different.  There are good families in the UK.
I am of the mind that you will be guided by the spirit.  I believe that the single greatest opportunity for our youth in preparing for marriage is a willingness to serve a mission.  When I was on my mission, often I was asked how many missionaries were serving in my mission.  My standard response was, “About half of them”.   I think this is similar to the ward members listed on the membership rolls.
There were just over 1 million members when I served as a missionary.  Most of the members were in Utah followed by California that made up close to 80% of all members.  When I was in the army – I was the only LDS in my company.  I only knew of one other active member on the base.  He and I were the only members showing up at church at a tiny branch nearby.  Things have a way of working out.  Those that honor their covenants have nothing to fear. 
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

To all the forum -- I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperious new year.
 
The Traveler

Exactly the point I was trying to illustrate. I am suggesting that the way eternal marriages functioned prior to 1890, and the way it functions now, is nothing more than one of many changes in presentation. 

@mirkwood can’t do hugs either. Part of his parole conditions.  

I got to show this to my wife -  Boy do you deserve a thanks (I don't do hugs - its an engineering thing.)  
 
The Traveler

I got to show this to my wife -  Boy do you deserve a thanks (I don't do hugs - its an engineering thing.)  
 
The Traveler

Merry Christmas @Traveler. You are awesome bro. 

It seem rather obvious that neither Biden nor Harris were ever in charge of anything.  Even in the 2020 presidential campaign there was no effort to allow the public access to serious opinions of the dual (if such existed).   I do not believe Ezra’s Eagle properly symbolizes what is going on.  Kind of like the ugly stepsister with a toe in the glass slipper that openly declares it is a perfect fit.
As for Trump???  It seems to me that there is an element deeply entrenched in our government that resembles something similar to Kishkumen, Gadianton and their behind-the-scenes organization.   I would suggest that the Book of Mormon (Helaman & 3Nephi) and the Holy Spirit are the best sources of things leading up to a coming of Christ – especially as thing apply to what is going on in our government.
 
The Traveler

Many years ago, in college I was given a book to read titled “Satan and all his works”.  The basic premise of the book is that everything that happens on this earth is the direct result of either Satan’s or G-d’s control.   In essence humans’ control nothing beyond their choice (at any given moment) of who’s side they are on.
I was so influenced and overcome by this book and the description of Satan’s influence that I was unable to finish the book.  Basically, the concept was that just about everything that takes place is in essence under Satan’s control (with very few exceptions – none of which are well chronicled in the historical narrative).  I have never encountered that book again, but it has had a profound on my perception of this world and the scripture notion that Satan is the g-d of this world.
I am of the opinion that G-d’s works are woven into the historical tapestry in such a manner that only through the “Spirit” can we even perceive G-d’s purposes – that is, until the Massiah returns.
 
The Traveler