Traveler

If you study the history of China you will discover that China has always been a difficult trading partner - some believe this goes back many thousands of years.  BTW they invented paper currency for the specific purpose of trade.  China also attempted to drop the dollar as trading currency when the USA dropped the gold standard from it currency.  I am not sure if China buying oil without dollars will change much of anything since the USA markets remain the strongest in the world - by far and since under Trump the USA is quickly moving towards oil independence - Which BTW is the very reason that Trump is changing the world trading dynamic.  What you may want to ask - other than the questions you are asking is : why is anyone in the USA opposed to the Trump trade agenda?
 
The Traveler

I’m a no frills sort of person at church. As a man I don’t need table clothes, table centerpieces, handouts, visual aids or videos. However I do like the comfortable chairs in the high council room where we meet. I would also appreciate not being frozen in the church year round by all the fat people who insist on the temperature being what feels like about 42 degrees. I frequently have to stand between the double entry doors where it gets hot so that I can soak up some heat. The metal folding chairs we sit on in the gym during opening exercises suck all the heat from my body. 

I am sure you can find several - the event was called Roots Tech (2018) and was sponsored by Ancestry and the LDS Church.  One of the main offerings by Ancestry is DNA testing that has been advanced and is now helping to locate living relatives that have also been tested (and how closely they are related by DNA)  In other words using organic evolution technology to find common ancestors (despite the vehement denials by @Rob Osborn that such tech exists).  The denial that this technology is beneficial in other ways is so ludicrous and unfounded - I do not know how to answer - If someone wants to believe something bad enough - nothing will suffice.
 
The Traveler

I would agree and perhaps go a little deeper in saying that indulgence in pleasure for no other reason than pleasure is seldom - if ever - a path to happiness for anybody.  That to sustain joy one must be willing to be disciplined - even to the point of sacrifice of individual pleasures.  That some are so committed to dong good and beneficial for family, community and society that the sacrifice personal desire and pleasure is indeed an exemplary intelligent, spiritual and physical sacrifice - that we all should strive for, recognize and encourage.
 
The Traveler

Is this a definite indication (sign of the times) that “things” just got “closer”?  The sun was just darkened (solar eclipse) – and a blood moon (third total lunar eclipse in succession) to take place on January 19th, 2019.    Is all this just a coincidence?  Any ideas what the stars falling from heaven might be?
 
The Traveler

A few years back I did some consulting work for the Federal Reserve Bank.  I am an expert in automation and robotics and have consulted with many companies and government institutions.  I know for a fact that there is no such currency as USA petro dollars.  If there was such a currency it would be tied directly to the global production of petro.  Also anyone with an IQ over room temperature knows that the Russian economy is far more dependent on the global price of petro than is the USA economy - which is much more complex.   If Putin was part of a scheme to bring down oil and natural gas prices - it would devalue Russia currency long before and many times more than US currency.  I really doubt Putin got to where he is now by being so palpably stupid.
There are many dreams (including the "Dream Mine") that have purported that some resource in Utah would save America and make the Mormons rich - and lot of idiots have believe it and lost their life saving (perhaps even their sanity - even their spirituality) with such schemes.   The Mormon view of economy, is and always has been, rooted in industry and work (not international schemes) - Industry the true meaning of Deseret and what the loyal Mormons wanted to name their state.  Smart Mormons have invested in their Prophet and not in dreams of the un-anointed.
 
The Traveler

Stating things perhaps more coherently than my previous response, I get what you are saying, and I don't necessarily disagree. I just advise caution.
To wit, there is perceptual reality which may differ somewhat from evolutionary reality.  Perceptual reality is that, in terms of use and practically speaking,, more often than not sex is the means to the end of pleasure; whereas in terms of evolution, sexual pleasure is the means to the end of responsible procreation and survival of the species. 
By this I mean that over time, evolution, both biological and social, has selected for women who experience sexual desire and pleasure even during the more lengthy periods when they are less fertile, and this to increase the chances of their bonding with men so that the men will stick around and provide the necessary resources and potentially have multiple children. Otherwise, particularly during less civilized times, then men may be inclined to wander from woman to woman and irresponsibly spread their seed  wherever and when the soil is fertile. 
So, while men and women today may perceive that they are mostly using sex as a means for pleasure, evolution has designed them to have frequent non-procreative sexual pleasure precisely as a means of better assuring  responsible procreation and familial development, and thus survival of the species.
I mention this because of my concern that, culturally, there is a tendency for the practical use of pleasure in sex to conscientiously overshadow and perhaps even ignore the evolutionary (as well as Plan of Progression) purpose  of sex--i.e. the means may become an end in itself, which, as can be seen in the aftermath of the decline in societal morals, can be catastrophic, even to the point of threatening the survival of the species, if not more particularly spiritual progress unto becoming like Christ.
In short, while married men and women may rightly engage in sex for reasons of mutual pleasure, it is beneficial for them to keep in mind that this is ultimately about having children and growing successful families, both for on earth and as it is in heaven.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

No you don't.  The avenues are full of it.
 
The Traveler

There is a form of Theravada Buddhism taught in remote areas of the Himalayas that practice a ritual initiation that is also similar that include a new name and covenant attire.  Also if a LDS person was to visit a Buddhist cemetery they would encounter statues of Buddha in interesting poses.  When I asked about the poses I was informed that they are sacred and that the full meaning is not known or to be disclosed.
 
The Traveler

Sounds to me like we agree completely on this.

There is a law upon which all things are predicated - the results (blessings) are based on obedience to the principles that are defined in the law.  Thus when we receive, even blessing (any result), it is through obedience to the laws upon which desired results or blessings are predicated.    I do not believe that G-d can or does ever command inconsistent to the principles upon which any law is predicated.   Thus there is no difference between what G-d command and what is law.  An yet it appears that the laws of eternity (natural laws) are independent of G-d and so must be obeyed by G-d or else he would cease to be G-d.
Thus I believe that the power of G-d is in his obedience to law - having a perfect understanding of the law and all the principles by which eternal laws are governed.  I do not believe that the power of G-d allows him to decree law inconsistent to the principles by which eternal laws are governed.  I am thinking if G-d has power to declare law outside of principles - he would have done so to prevent Christ from suffering for sins and declared such as unnecessary.  And to attempt to alter eternal law by decree is one of the flaws of Satan and why he is evil.
 
The Traveler

It is interesting what some find to create a concern - Like the Knights Templar that from all accounts no longer exist.  But what about the Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights of St John).  The Knights of St John were created at the same time as the Knights Templar and for the same reasons but the main difference is that the Knights of Malta still exist even today and are recognized by the United Nations as a sovereign entity even though there is no territory (actual country with a border) and so they have diplomatic immunity in what ever country (with borders) they live or visit and observer status at the United Nations.  They cannot be tried for any crime in any country - the only recourse for a crime would be to exile them.  And they cannot hold political office or vote anywhere they live but and this is the really cool thing - They do no have to pay taxes - personal or business nor or they subject to any audits - personal or business.  I do not know but speculate that to be in their order one must be very Catholic - I also speculate that should one renounce the Catholic church to join another would result in a loss of membership.  I speculate this based on their connections to the Vatican and that there have been and are Cardinals that are active in the order - don't know about any Popes.
 
The Traveler

Connections with the early Church and Freemasonry is not a problem for me.   Nor is the Church's connection with the Boy Scouts of America.  I understand that many prominent and lots of less prominent members have been connected with the BSA and Freemasonry.  In another year and a half that will all change concerning the BSA.  There may be some members remain in the BSA organization but the official connections will end.  A great deal of operations and procedures from the BSA were part of activities and things officially taught and utilized within the official Church operations of priesthood functions and activities.
Freemasonry like the BSA have been part of the LDS Church history - a history that has changed and will not continue.  My suggestion is that if someone is going to bleed to death and die in the church it should not be because of Freemasonry or the BSA - I realize that if a person desires a thing enough that one excuse is as good as any other.  But if someone wants to be convincing they should be logical and intelligent.  I do not think making a big deal of Freemasonry or the BSA and their connections to the church is worth much excitement.
 
The Traveler

Connections with the early Church and Freemasonry is not a problem for me.   Nor is the Church's connection with the Boy Scouts of America.  I understand that many prominent and lots of less prominent members have been connected with the BSA and Freemasonry.  In another year and a half that will all change concerning the BSA.  There may be some members remain in the BSA organization but the official connections will end.  A great deal of operations and procedures from the BSA were part of activities and things officially taught and utilized within the official Church operations of priesthood functions and activities.
Freemasonry like the BSA have been part of the LDS Church history - a history that has changed and will not continue.  My suggestion is that if someone is going to bleed to death and die in the church it should not be because of Freemasonry or the BSA - I realize that if a person desires a thing enough that one excuse is as good as any other.  But if someone wants to be convincing they should be logical and intelligent.  I do not think making a big deal of Freemasonry or the BSA and their connections to the church is worth much excitement.
 
The Traveler

There are efforts to change some social norms and morals in our culture.  Being a old guy I have some reservations - I am just an old school guy.  It was and still is a bit of an adjustment to even be in the bathroom at the same time with my wife.  We have a double shower in our master bedroom.  My wife love to join me when I am showering because she likes to see me uncomfortable and squirming.   I have made effort to accommodate many things that are changing in our society but I am nervous about making sacred personal space, body parts and moments pearls to be cast openly before the public.
I know the arguments for breast-feeding in public - not sure I can add much of anything except it is a problem for me and I am grateful to my wife, my daughters and my daughter-in-laws to respect my little shell even though I do not attempt to force my particular hang-ups and make every effort to respect them.  I have never tried to tell any of them how to breast-feed their children.
I will say that I am a believer in fractal analysis and chaos theory as applied to changing parameters in complex systems - and I believe social norms and gender roles are diffidently complex.  So I will say this about chaos theory - the reason the theory is called chaos theory is because when a parameter in a complex system begins to create changes in a complex system - a new balance is achieved throughout the entire system and any attempt to reverse newly established balances will not ever restore the complex system to the initial or previous state.  Thus my only warning is that we all need to realize the possibility of unintended consequences and regardless of how bad the consequences get - we will never be able to go back to what was before.  Not that I am against change - but that we make sure we understand the possible extents of change and can accept the unintended consequences.
 
The Traveler

Connections with the early Church and Freemasonry is not a problem for me.   Nor is the Church's connection with the Boy Scouts of America.  I understand that many prominent and lots of less prominent members have been connected with the BSA and Freemasonry.  In another year and a half that will all change concerning the BSA.  There may be some members remain in the BSA organization but the official connections will end.  A great deal of operations and procedures from the BSA were part of activities and things officially taught and utilized within the official Church operations of priesthood functions and activities.
Freemasonry like the BSA have been part of the LDS Church history - a history that has changed and will not continue.  My suggestion is that if someone is going to bleed to death and die in the church it should not be because of Freemasonry or the BSA - I realize that if a person desires a thing enough that one excuse is as good as any other.  But if someone wants to be convincing they should be logical and intelligent.  I do not think making a big deal of Freemasonry or the BSA and their connections to the church is worth much excitement.
 
The Traveler

Connections with the early Church and Freemasonry is not a problem for me.   Nor is the Church's connection with the Boy Scouts of America.  I understand that many prominent and lots of less prominent members have been connected with the BSA and Freemasonry.  In another year and a half that will all change concerning the BSA.  There may be some members remain in the BSA organization but the official connections will end.  A great deal of operations and procedures from the BSA were part of activities and things officially taught and utilized within the official Church operations of priesthood functions and activities.
Freemasonry like the BSA have been part of the LDS Church history - a history that has changed and will not continue.  My suggestion is that if someone is going to bleed to death and die in the church it should not be because of Freemasonry or the BSA - I realize that if a person desires a thing enough that one excuse is as good as any other.  But if someone wants to be convincing they should be logical and intelligent.  I do not think making a big deal of Freemasonry or the BSA and their connections to the church is worth much excitement.
 
The Traveler

Their called Doilies, er I mean, yeah, why are they putting handkerchiefs on the table.?

I try to do this but so often there are either too many contradictions or literary ruts in most novels.   I gave up on Stephen King that is the master of stating the obvious a gazillion times over and over while taking forever in the journey.
Since you like stories - I just added to my list - a syfy story of a super intelligent society invading earth and driving humanity to near extinction - destroying all large cities and libraries (knowledge accumulation).  But a few thousand individuals and families are abducted.   Turns out that the reason is that humans are a dangerous species that has been relegated to the extreme outreaches of our galaxy to be carefully monitored to prevent highly advanced evil and destructive technologies and societies form evolving.  However, there is a rare element of humanity that will evolve into highly enlightened and intelligent society of beings.  The humans with a high probability of enlightened evolution are harvested and removed to another location to continue to evolve.  The rest are reduced (aka Noah's Ark) to start over with minimal population reduced to primitive knowledge and technology.
 
The Traveler

There are efforts to change some social norms and morals in our culture.  Being a old guy I have some reservations - I am just an old school guy.  It was and still is a bit of an adjustment to even be in the bathroom at the same time with my wife.  We have a double shower in our master bedroom.  My wife love to join me when I am showering because she likes to see me uncomfortable and squirming.   I have made effort to accommodate many things that are changing in our society but I am nervous about making sacred personal space, body parts and moments pearls to be cast openly before the public.
I know the arguments for breast-feeding in public - not sure I can add much of anything except it is a problem for me and I am grateful to my wife, my daughters and my daughter-in-laws to respect my little shell even though I do not attempt to force my particular hang-ups and make every effort to respect them.  I have never tried to tell any of them how to breast-feed their children.
I will say that I am a believer in fractal analysis and chaos theory as applied to changing parameters in complex systems - and I believe social norms and gender roles are diffidently complex.  So I will say this about chaos theory - the reason the theory is called chaos theory is because when a parameter in a complex system begins to create changes in a complex system - a new balance is achieved throughout the entire system and any attempt to reverse newly established balances will not ever restore the complex system to the initial or previous state.  Thus my only warning is that we all need to realize the possibility of unintended consequences and regardless of how bad the consequences get - we will never be able to go back to what was before.  Not that I am against change - but that we make sure we understand the possible extents of change and can accept the unintended consequences.
 
The Traveler

I would say this about pineapple of pizza - some pizza with pineapple but not to be mixed with just any pizza toppings.   I would add that grilling with pineapple - especially chicken and salmon with teriyaki sauce is a treat I enjoy.  But I have learned that not everyone in this world has identical tasting genetics.  I cannot stand the bitterness of chocolate mint - A lot of other people must be tasting something very different than me.
 
The Traveler

Comfy chairs - sounds more like the Relief Society.  Real men should be able to sit on rocks - outside in the weather.  What next - table cloths and flowers in vases?
 
The Traveler

I am single threaded and cannot multi task.  The house could burn down if I am reading a book or article and I would never know it.  If I ever turn from a task it is with the intention to never return to it.  This drives my poor wife nuts because she always has more than one thing on my honey-do list so when the one thing is done so is the list.  There is one other fault of mine - I can be reading a novel, watching a movie or tv show and decide I know where it is all going and just walk away in the middle and be done with it.
 
The Traveler

Comfy chairs - sounds more like the Relief Society.  Real men should be able to sit on rocks - outside in the weather.  What next - table cloths and flowers in vases?
 
The Traveler

We seem to agree that a private organization should be able to determine who its leadership is.  I'm on board.
But the issue gere seems to be that this activity falls under the auspices of the public school, and thus certain rules kick in.  If the rule says you can't discriminate based on religion, then even if the plaintiff were Muslim, Jewish or even Atheist, they would still have a case.
So it's really not about whether LDS count as Christians, but rather whether or not the group can use religion as a disqualifier in the first place.
Personally, I think the lawsuit is a bad move and will do more harm than good.  If a club doesn't want you to lead them, using legal force isn't going to show them that you care about them as a leader should.