Traveler

Neither do I. But I do believe that privileges imply and require responsibilities, and that those who refuse responsibility forfeit privilege.

I am not a fan of the military.  I was in the military and I know what it is like.  As much as I did not like being in the military - I would not change that I voluntarily served. I believe many of the political and social problems in this country are a direct reflection of a lazy entitled public and society that does not believe every citizen has a military obligation.  I believe time in the military should be necessary for citizenship and especially the right to vote or receive government assistance.
Of course I believe that charity and concern (love) for the needy and poor is important and necessary for a society to be enlightened - just not a government obligation.
 
The Traveler

Sorry Vort.  You can come to my house after the two hour block for gospel study if you'd like. 😁

There exist a very different variant reading of ancient scripture text concerning the phrase "only begotten".  This variant reading refers specifically to the heir of the supreme Suzerain of an ancient Kingdom.  Under such context it is possible for a King to have many biological offspring and yet still refer to his heir apparent to the kingdom as his only begotten.  It is also interesting that the heir apparent was anointed to their position.  The term Messiah (Hebrew) or Christ (Greek) means very much the same thing - anointed.  So  we have several terms also including including Son of G-d that seem to reference that same concept.  It is also interesting that Jesus called himself, "The Son of Man" which is perhaps a different discussion - but I would add just a tad as a play on words in reference to a name of G-d which is "Man of Holiness" that some scholars think is a reference in  the term "Amen" used to end prayers and recognition of divine blessings.
 
The Traveler

Off topic and not really related to what you wrote...but I thought I'd post in...
I'd say disease and plague have caused more death than any other single influence recorded in history.  
If we are talking about human caused deaths, that is probably governmental shifts (ala...atheism and communism), though I suppose one might be able to technically call that religious.
And of course, this is just me being a nit...I might say the same thing as you just did in various conversations.

My opinion.  I remember spending my first night in the army.  As I have done my whole life to that point, I knelt by by bunk and said a vocal prayer.  As a bright eye Later-day Saint - I had no idea of the backlash.  But there was a backlash to the backlash.  Some of my worse critics were baptized and became Later-day Saints - or at least tried to do so.  One black fellow, I will call Lewis became much more - he became a personal friend.  Lewis was well educated (college grad), smart and married with a little girl.  He joined the army because he was black and could not get any other jobs.  He was such a great guy I could not and would not believe he could not get any other job just because he was black.  We had many discussions about this.
Lewis was killed in Vietnam.  When I got out of the army - being in the military was not a popular or honorable thing to most college age kids.  I did not do well with protesters - I even got involved physically.  I have determined that any response to fools and idiots is not worth it.  Anything done to convince a fool and an idiot that they are a fool and an idiot only makes them more so.
Some ideas:
1. There is no real discernible difference between serfs and slaves.  - 90% of white people from Europe are decedents of medieval serfs.  I recently discovered that I am a descendant of a white slave in early America.  Slavery is not a heritage unique to blacks - is it not uncommon for blond hair, blue eyed genetics.  And it is not an excuse for not being a responsible adult.
2. Black people do not need black leaders, black teachers, black role models or black anything else.  Segregation has already been tired and failed. 
3. the number one reason for not getting along with or to not support the police - is because someone is trying to break the law.
4. The biggest problem faced by our society is the breakup of families.
5. The second biggest problem faced by our society is the recreational use of drugs.  Including alcohol. 
6. No one is a hero that is involved in the recreational use of drugs.  It does not make anyone better - ever.
7. There is a reason that sports are controlled by beer for recreation commercials. The world would be better off with a beer protest.
8. there is a problem with law enforcement - but the problem is more political the genetic.
 
The Traveler
 

You raise an interesting point. There was evidently a shift in the priesthood universe from a patriarchal order to an ecclesiastical order, which may have been frustrated were Christ to have had a male heir, and indirectly argue against his being married.
For that matter, since God was Christ's Father, making him part human and part God, were Christ to have begotten children, then they, too, would be part human and part God. making it so that, among other things, their lives could not be taken.
Since begetting children is the fundamental point of marriage.....
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

It seems to me that in politics it is more about what happens when the world and the country are looking somewhere else.  I wonder, what is going on in politics while we are so focused on the Kavanaugh circus.  What is going on at the border, in the Middle East, China, North Korea and anywhere else while everybody is not paying attention.
 
The Traveler

It seems to me that in politics it is more about what happens when the world and the country are looking somewhere else.  I wonder, what is going on in politics while we are so focused on the Kavanaugh circus.  What is going on at the border, in the Middle East, China, North Korea and anywhere else while everybody is not paying attention.
 
The Traveler

I believe this is an oversimplification - Dark spirits did not just pack up and leave whenever Jesus showed up - they had to be commanded - and this includes Satan himself.  
 
The Traveler

I am not a fan of the military.  I was in the military and I know what it is like.  As much as I did not like being in the military - I would not change that I voluntarily served. I believe many of the political and social problems in this country are a direct reflection of a lazy entitled public and society that does not believe every citizen has a military obligation.  I believe time in the military should be necessary for citizenship and especially the right to vote or receive government assistance.
Of course I believe that charity and concern (love) for the needy and poor is important and necessary for a society to be enlightened - just not a government obligation.
 
The Traveler

I am not sure that those that have this kind of opinion - realize that citizens should not be separate from military personal - that historically if the military is separated from the citizens it is likely and  probable that those in the military will determine they should run the country - and such societies have no means (power) to stop them.  It is often the case that dictatorships separate citizens from a military obligation.  I believe our forefathers believed in a citizen army where every citizen has both a right and obligation to not just have a say in what the military does but to also serve in the military.  In other words that free citizens have a military obligation.  In essence if citizens do not feel obligated that such a society will not and even should not remain free.
 
The Traveler

I am not a fan of the military.  I was in the military and I know what it is like.  As much as I did not like being in the military - I would not change that I voluntarily served. I believe many of the political and social problems in this country are a direct reflection of a lazy entitled public and society that does not believe every citizen has a military obligation.  I believe time in the military should be necessary for citizenship and especially the right to vote or receive government assistance.
Of course I believe that charity and concern (love) for the needy and poor is important and necessary for a society to be enlightened - just not a government obligation.
 
The Traveler

It is not a matter of fear.  But I will say this - there are boundaries (darkness) that surround Satan and his followers that the Holy Ghost nor the light of the Holy Ghost will not cross.
 
The Traveler

I believe this is an oversimplification - Dark spirits did not just pack up and leave whenever Jesus showed up - they had to be commanded - and this includes Satan himself.  
 
The Traveler

It occurs to me that you may like this quote (or not, hard to guess these things):
Personally, I'm thoroughly impressed by Ursula LeGuin's fiction.

I woke up at 0500 today. I put on one of my black non-endorsement t-shirts I wear every day to work. Over that shirt I strapped on my body armor. No endorsements on it either, or anywhere on my uniform. Just your basic dark blue shirt and pants. Oh I do wear things on my shirt, a badge, some ribbons because someone said I did a good job on a call. I wear my name on my shirt too, but no endorsements. I work a primarily white community, but we do have a heavy Hispanic population and some African refugees. I will talk to many of them today. Some of them will call me names. Some will hate me because I wear a uniform. Because I stand for something. Twenty one years ago I took an oath and signed a blank check to the citizens of Salt Lake County. I made that blank check payable up to and including my life. I hope I don’t have to sacrifice everything today, but I will if asked, because I actually stand for something.
~mirk
 

I do not remember the issue but one morning at 3:00 am. the entire company I was assigned to was awakened and brought to formation at attention (in our underwear).  It was hot and humid - even at night it exceeded 100 degrees.   We remained at attention until someone passed out and fell out of formation (several hours after sun rise) before we were dismissed. 
Many that return from their missions - say being a missionary was hard.  I recently talked to a brilliant young engineer that quit their very high paying job because going to work for 8 hours five days a week was too hard for them.   @MormonGator thinks certain things will never happen in our current society - but I wonder if those unwilling to pay the price of freedom will remain free.
As extreme as my little story may seem - some will not come together and sacrifice as a teem without extreme pressure.   I am quite sure if the citizens of this country served - as I did - a military obligation - our country would not be so divided and the idiot politicians currently elected would never be elected to be  in charge of anything - not even picking up cigarette butts in parking lots - we would insist that they do the tasks and submit to being told what to do before they think to tell others what needs to be done.
 
The Traveler

Jesus was called Rabbi and Master, even by his critics.  Was it common for a peasant to be called Rabbi and Master by high standing critics?
 
The Traveler 

This is a very simple problem but we must first ask this question - Unless the scriptures say otherwise do we assume Jesus was married or do we assume he was not married.  Are there ancient culture clues?
I will ask a basic question - in the Jewish society in which Jesus lived - was it expected that men should marry.  Was it considered more honorable or less honorable for men to marry?
If Jesus was married - why was he not criticized for being married by his critics?  If he was not married why was he not criticized by his critics for not being married - which way did the Jewish society stand?  What was expected of honorable men?  
 
The Traveler

It seems to me that in politics it is more about what happens when the world and the country are looking somewhere else.  I wonder, what is going on in politics while we are so focused on the Kavanaugh circus.  What is going on at the border, in the Middle East, China, North Korea and anywhere else while everybody is not paying attention.
 
The Traveler

I believe this is an oversimplification - Dark spirits did not just pack up and leave whenever Jesus showed up - they had to be commanded - and this includes Satan himself.  
 
The Traveler

This last Sunday in Elder's Quorum the instructor asked of the active members (I assume active means current temple recommend, full tithe payer and such) what they expect from their personal ministers.  I responded that as a missionary I was instructed by my mission president that every home we were welcomed to (and every time we were welcomed) that we should give a priesthood blessing upon the home and its inhabitants.  I also stated that I have always believed (because of my mission experiences) that any time I am in any home as an official priesthood representative I should give a priesthood blessing.
I also shared a personal experience about priesthood blessings.  For many years in my work I traveled.  Often after long hours of stressful work (work when traveling is always more stressful - at least for me) I would return to my hotel tired but needing to unwind.  Mindless TV seemed the best way to unwind.  However, it seemed that often when I turned on the TV that it would display the worse part of a hard core pron program.  This caused me more stress plus added guilt.  The frequency was to much for chance.   I mentioned this problem to several friends (including my wife).  One friend and stalwart priesthood holder and also fellow Engineer that traveled often with me from time to time mentioned they he also used to have this problem.  He explained to me his belief that unclean spirits are much like a disease - that someone afflicted can leave behind uncleanness that can infect those that occupy the place after the affected person has left.  Thus, someone infected by porn will spread that influence even when they are not present.
To be honest this sounded a little hokey but my friend suggested that whenever I arrive at a hotel room or other place to stay - that I should pronounce a priesthood blessing to disinfect and cleanse the place for my stay.   I thought I should try this.  My heart and mind has been changed because having done this - I have never had the problem repeated.  I am convinced that there are blessings withheld (not given) to many good people that are in need but are not blessed only because a priesthood blessing is not sought.
 
The Traveler

I would add a thought - Paul, under inspiration of G-d stated - "To him that knows to do good and do it not, to him it is sin."  We are also told in scripture that Marriage is ordained of G-d.  We are also instructed that it is not good for man (any individual male or female) to be alone.  
 
The Traveler

According to Jewish tradition it was the responsibility of the groom to provide the wine at the wedding fest.  One may ask why Jesus was involved in the wine running out in the first place.  
 
The Traveler