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

It is my understanding that in the USA police are obtained from the citizenry of our country.  But when acting in their duty that they are not acting as citizens but rather as officers of the law.
 
The Travelert

I will predict at least two in places I did not know there was even a ward there and one in a place I did not know even existed.
In my youth I could name all the temples – but back then there were only 12 and the year I graduated from high school they dedicated the 13th.   I set a goal to visit al the temples.  Currently I can’t even tell you all the temples in Utah.  I am starting to take all the temples for granted.  The wife and went to our assigned temple forgetting that it was closed for a week of deep cleaning.  So we just went to another temple.  We ended up finding out there 4 temples were closed for something before we found one (all within less than an hour drive of our home) was open.  Now days that problem is solved because we make appointments.   At the most recent Roots Tec I learned that on the Family Tree app I can find the name(s) of the closest relation to take to the temple.
I am guessing that we will be told that the Kirtland temple will soon be restored and rededicated.  I would like to be there for that.
 
The Traveler

@JohnsonJones  If you have the experience you say (I'm taking you at your word that you do) then you know how safe that child was and how ridiculous your concerns are.
 
Timestap 7:40 so you can see clearly what you will also see in the next picture.  Rifle slung downwards.
 

 
 
Time stamp 7:42 the rifle is slung.  Non threatening.  Puh-leeze JJ...puh-leeze.  
 

 
 
 
My bonafides on the topic:
 
I am 26 year officer (still working.)
I am a building clearing instructor.
I am an active shooter/rapid response instructor.
I am a MACTAC instructor (counter terrorist active shooter stuff.)
 
You are really reaching JJ.

@JohnsonJones you are either ignorant of building clearing tactics or looking to complain.  With your expressed attitude about the topic you are wrong in either case.  I really do not think you want to understand the reasons or care.  Your attitude shows.  See @Just_A_Guy's first point.  Nope, NO APOLOGIES for practicing proper building clearing tactics.  

What does this mean?

Agreed. Which is why I appreciate the work of "Thoughtful Faith", Greg at "CWIC Media", and Hannah at "The Joseph Smith Foundation" (among others).

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

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

When the Temple priests in ancient Israel were in error the people still had to take their sacrifices to them at the Temple.
That is a pattern.
Even *if* the general leadership is in error, they have the keys of the kingdom and are the gatekeepers of the House of the Lord. Our job is to stay recommend worthy and redeem our dead- the Lord will deal with His leaders *if* necessary.
Don't be a latter-day Uzzah.

My observation is that there are both problems in the church and with the church. But I firmly believe that in spite of the problems, that this is still the Lord’s church and that the brethren still hold the keys of the kingdom. 

I've been off arguing church finances with the critics on another board for a few years.  I did a little research on where we stick our temples, measured by the GDP of the country where they're built, and I made this chart:

Each dot represents all the temples in a certain country.  So those two dots at the bottom right represent Brazil's 22 and Mexico's 25 temples, both horrendously poor nations with a per capita GDP of under $10k per year.  Temples are a massive investment of funds.  Maybe ~$60 million each to build, and maybe ~$3-4 million per year to operate.   
Yes, roughly half of the temples are built in happy rich 1st world high GDP USA.  Because that's where roughly half of the worlds' saints live.  But with only two exceptions, every other temple we build is built in a nation poorer than the US.  
158 temples are in countries with under $40k per capita GDP.  150 in countries with under $20k.  131 in the world's poorest nations, with the crushing poverty of under $10k per capita GDP.   If the saints in those areas had to rely on their own tithing donations to fund their temples, they couldn't hope to ever pay for one.
If you're a church critic with issues on how the church uses it's wealth, even you are forced to admit that half of the temples cost more than they bring in.  
We're currently seeing exponential growth in new temples.  When I ask myself how long that exponential growth will continue, one possible answer would be "as long as we can afford it".   Someone with a background in monitoring how large wealthy organizations run their charitable endowments ran the numbers.  Their back-of-a-napkin numbers said the church might be able to fully fund roughly ~2500 temples in poor areas who can't afford to pay for it via tithing.   At the current rate of growth, we could reach that in the year 2067.  
Imma be paying attention in General Conference when they announce new temples!   Hoping for 18-20 or more!  And every time a poorer nation is named, I'll be rejoicing!

The world will be balanced (for sure) when the announcement is made for 24 temples in Independence Missouri.  🙂
 
The Traveler

May your page load lag just enough that you end up accidentally clicking the ad link.

Unfortunately, it is not about availability.  It is about government intervention.
Lumber can be grown at a very fast rate.  With more supply, lower costs.  But government is preventing private forests through environmental and tax intervention. Property taxes are just plain too high. Cities and counties have overly restrictive building codes.  And the enforcement by untrained bureaucrats causes compliance costs to go through the roof. Minimum wage causes all the little expenses to go up.  And they add up pretty fast. Put it all together, and there is no way to build a cheap home.

In 1960 the most intensive government census in history was conducted in the USA.  As a result, a political movement was created with two major objectives (among others).  End poverty and the destruction of our environment caused from human pollution.  This was initiated by the Democrats under President Johnson in May of 1964.   This initiative has now become the greatest tax and expenses on Americans. 
I would point out that with all the government involvement and research that the results are that poverty today is worse than in 1964 (more Americans per capita) living below the poverty level and that even by all the government standards and documentation of our environmental issues since 1964 – we are in greater danger of destroying our environment today than back in 1964.  
Concerning global warming – it is interesting to note that all the planets and also our sun of our solar system are all experiencing global warming climate change.  It is also interesting to note that the areas of our earth that are experiencing the greatest percent in global warming climate change – it has been discovered that the cause is geological and not atmospheric.  It is also important to note that in general there has been a global climate warming change since the decline of the last major ice age caused by geological changes.
The second largest super volcano in the world is sitting under almost 3 miles of ice at the south pole in antarctica.  There is warming and expansion within that volcano’s caldera indicating a possible eminent eruption.  If and when a major eruption occurs it will cause the melting of enough ice to raise the oceans from 20 to 60 feet.  If such an eruption was rapid, over 80% of the world’s human population would have to migrate within 48 hours.   Also such an eruption would emit more green house gases within a few hours than humans would in decades. Why are environmentalists (and politicians) not worried about geological effects on climate? 
 
The Traveler

I will predict at least two in places I did not know there was even a ward there and one in a place I did not know even existed.
In my youth I could name all the temples – but back then there were only 12 and the year I graduated from high school they dedicated the 13th.   I set a goal to visit al the temples.  Currently I can’t even tell you all the temples in Utah.  I am starting to take all the temples for granted.  The wife and went to our assigned temple forgetting that it was closed for a week of deep cleaning.  So we just went to another temple.  We ended up finding out there 4 temples were closed for something before we found one (all within less than an hour drive of our home) was open.  Now days that problem is solved because we make appointments.   At the most recent Roots Tec I learned that on the Family Tree app I can find the name(s) of the closest relation to take to the temple.
I am guessing that we will be told that the Kirtland temple will soon be restored and rededicated.  I would like to be there for that.
 
The Traveler

I will predict at least two in places I did not know there was even a ward there and one in a place I did not know even existed.
In my youth I could name all the temples – but back then there were only 12 and the year I graduated from high school they dedicated the 13th.   I set a goal to visit al the temples.  Currently I can’t even tell you all the temples in Utah.  I am starting to take all the temples for granted.  The wife and went to our assigned temple forgetting that it was closed for a week of deep cleaning.  So we just went to another temple.  We ended up finding out there 4 temples were closed for something before we found one (all within less than an hour drive of our home) was open.  Now days that problem is solved because we make appointments.   At the most recent Roots Tec I learned that on the Family Tree app I can find the name(s) of the closest relation to take to the temple.
I am guessing that we will be told that the Kirtland temple will soon be restored and rededicated.  I would like to be there for that.
 
The Traveler

I believe that in this day and age the most common abuse is based in heterophobic hatred.  Especially towards white heterosexual males.  Shucks – the abuse is so bad that heterophobic does not even make it through spell check in Microsoft Word.
 
The Traveler