Traveler

I don’t believe that all of the same species that were on the earth at the time of Adam exist now and likewise not all that we have now existed then. I can’t name an example but I would imagine that new species emerge from time to time and of course species have gone extinct. 
I don't even try to make science and religion fit together but if I tried I’d have a hard time figuring out where species that existed before the time of Adam fit in. Not to mention early human like beings. 

She might benefit from learning the etymology for the word "man" or "men" or male and female (see also HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE)  
In short, the word "man" was derived from "humanus" or "homo" or "mann," meaning human being or mankind,  and began generically as meaning "person(s)"  or "earthly being" (as differentiated from  heavenly being") or of the "ground,"  or "one who thinks."
Eventually, the genders were distinguished using the pre-fix wo or wif (wo-man--, meaning person with stomach, or, female/femina, "she who suckles":),  and wer or guma or waepen (waepenmann--meaning male, or person with a weapon or penis).
Evidently, the gendered prefix for males was dropped and later became the prevailing meaning for "mann" or "man," though the generic meaning continues, thus causing confusion among those prone to identity politics, toxic feminism, and making "man" an offender for a word (pun intended).
Thanks, -Wade Englund-

1.  You can't.   There's no way to form a rational argument that will satisfy an irrational one.  The use of 'men' to refer to humanity as a whole has been in common use for centuries.  
2. It will try, until enough people are fed up and reassert rationality.

Interesting question - perhaps if the question was asked a little differently - like - Are there any reflections of Satan's plan to remove the exercise of agency and make sure everyone is covered regardless of their choices and the consequences of their choices?
 
The Traveler

Gravity is also a theory - so are numbers.  Something being a theory does not mean that it has not been proven.  Evolution has been proven - but there are theories that attempt to apply evolution as a possible explanation of biological events that have no other viable explanation.  By the vary nature of a virus attacking a living organism we know that genetics can be changed - which is the definition of organic evolution and is currently a primary tool and method of genetic engineering.  To say there is no organic evolution is a kin to claiming mankind really has not discovered fire yet - let alone cooked meals with it.
 
The Traveler

I have been in writing clubs and editing groups – yes I know I have a problem with characters.  It is mostly because I have such a hard time with touchy feely notions of characters.  I will give an example.  A certain character is an excellent marksman – a William Tell type (whether it be the bow and arrow are sniper with a rifle) – the physics of an accurate bullseye shot have logistics that alter the aim when the target is at a different height than the source of the shot.  If a character is proficient with such a skill the writer should know what they are talking about.  For another example – if a character must build a fire without matches – the author should know how it is (or should be) done.
A third grader can make up a story and a character – I just think there must be enough believable evidence that someone writing about anything has something important to say that is consistent both in the story and the character.  I was a great fan of Star Trek and Spok – until an episode where Spok went back in time and thought that a tape transport was a computer.
For me it is like cotton candy – it looks fun and tastes very sweet – but there is nothing to eat – so that when you are done, you feel unfulfilled and if you gave it to your kids – they will act as if there is no reality leaving you to wonder – not just if it was worth it but why you even considered it in the first place.  And now you know why I am not successful writing anything other than user manuals for techs.
 
The Traveler

Many think that their efforts to "preach" the gospel justifies their holier than thou attitude towards others.  If we are not the best example possible example of love and compassion in what we teach as gospel principles - are we really teaching gospel principles or are we just making sounds - or as Paul said, "Sounding brass or a tinkling symbol".   It is possible that even the great "bringer of light" could fall to the lowest depths of hell with the best self seeming intentions but because of pride that they are right and others should listen - not to follow their arrogant example but their words that are perfectly aligned with the wisdom of scripture.  
And yet the road to hell is paved - but not with the initial intent of what seems bad but thinking (in their pride) that their intent is good and justified by what scriptures teach.  -  Another example, the ancient Pharassies.  And one other example - when Jesus said that one would betray him - rather than observing that Judas had been acting strange as of late - asked instead - L-rd is it I?
 
The Traveler

As a survival camper often I would take off alone with just a knife.  For sleeping I would prepare wood for a fire and often use rock face on one side and the fire on the other to create a reflection of heat with me in between.  In a high altitude desert (like Utah) the temperature can drop to or near freezing at night.  I learned to sleep through the night and even add wood to the fire without fully awaking.   It is very unlikely that someone that spends much time on their own in the wilderness overnight is afraid of the dark.  If there are night creatures to deal with - your character should know how that is done.  I think you should too, if you are going to write about it.
 
The Traveler

Erm, apparently we need to get you a longbow to try out.   (Every report I've ever read says that these required a lot of strength to draw.)
But I am beginning to reach the conclusion that he's not so good with weapons as his brothers, nor as he's expected to be.  This could be useful later on.  It's being processed.
Fun as the remainder is, it will have to go in the "ideas" file - there is no shore, and any enemies would pretty much have to arrive via a single, narrow mountain pass - easy to defend.

@zil
I have a hard time with any universe other than the one we live in – So I like to adapt things I know and understand from my own universe.  First – the most common denominator of all exceptionally talented individuals – is that they have a mentor.  I like the character development of King Arthur being tutored and mentored by Merlin (great expert).
A second idea concerns magic.  I believe knowledge is the great ark of magic and that three great pillars of magic.  The masters of knowledge control the pillars of magic to become the masters of magic.  Kind of like any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from magic.  The three great pillars of magic are – 1. Music - the power to create, shape and change moods.  2. Mathematics – the power of logic to know, understand, predict and change the future and the secret of how all things are integrated.  3. Love – the power to change one’s view of others and create loyal trusted friends and a undefeatable team.
Now if you can create a character that connects with readers (which I cannot) – I see a number of possibilities.  1. A character forced into action before their time.  2. A character that thinks they are ready when they are not.  3. A character that does not understand their mentor and attempts to escape their destiny (I think this character is way overused in fantasy).  4. A character that has been a most attentive student but has always been just short of what they should be – but now must do or die.  5. A character that is well prepared and fearlessly faces what seem to be insurmountable odds (the David and Goliath) character.
 
Good luck
 
The Traveler

The fire for 391 AD. is perhaps the most significant from my personal studies.  This date is very important for so many reasons - let me name a few:
1. This is after Christianity became the state religion of Rome
2. This is after Christianity declared the Trinity doctrine
3. This is within a few years of the destruction of the great library of Babylon
4. This is within a few years of the destruction of the great library of Zoroaster
5. This is during the era that the oldest (and yet unpublished) copies of the New Testament were hidden away - not to be found for over 1500 years.  According to indications these records were hidden away because it was claimed that there were efforts to destroy and modify sacred early Christian text
6. This is during the era that sacred Christian text (also unpublished) were hidden in China by Buddhists claiming that such text were being sought for destruction.
7. This is also during the era that the great library of the Nephits was hidden away (and still remain unfound) in the Americas.
I find the coincidence of all these things around the same time in history to point to the possibility that they were not really a coincidence.
 
The Traveler

The fire for 391 AD. is perhaps the most significant from my personal studies.  This date is very important for so many reasons - let me name a few:
1. This is after Christianity became the state religion of Rome
2. This is after Christianity declared the Trinity doctrine
3. This is within a few years of the destruction of the great library of Babylon
4. This is within a few years of the destruction of the great library of Zoroaster
5. This is during the era that the oldest (and yet unpublished) copies of the New Testament were hidden away - not to be found for over 1500 years.  According to indications these records were hidden away because it was claimed that there were efforts to destroy and modify sacred early Christian text
6. This is during the era that sacred Christian text (also unpublished) were hidden in China by Buddhists claiming that such text were being sought for destruction.
7. This is also during the era that the great library of the Nephits was hidden away (and still remain unfound) in the Americas.
I find the coincidence of all these things around the same time in history to point to the possibility that they were not really a coincidence.
 
The Traveler

Perhaps I can help a bit concerning covenants.  Mostly covenants are vague and the exact definitions and meanings are left to individuals.   I also believe covenants are vague by divine design so that we can grow and progress in our understanding and application.  One covenant we make is to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.  I understand this to mean that we will behave and act as Christ would.  I personally do not think that dropping a few F-bombs is applicable to being Christ Like.  But this is reflective of my personal understand – that could be different the other Saints of G-d.
As per finding a spouse – I deliberately chose a lady with high standards – many higher than my own.  I did not intend to marry someone like myself because I wanted to marry someone the complete me and encourage me to new heights.  But because I married up – means my wife married down.  My church standards were high and that was most important to her – plus I was very smart in school.  What she did not realize was that outside of school – I was not so smart.
For my wife and I – we are complementary.  Because we are not very much alike – we had to learn to be complementary to make our marriage work.  Beyond our children and the gospel – I cannot think of a single thing we both enjoy.  Now that we are empty nesters it is most difficult to find things to do together.  She does not cycle or ski with me – and I strongly dislike shopping with her.  We cannot even agree on a car we both like – so we have two.  Sometimes we do not even vacation or travel together.  I prefer nature and she prefers big cities so I will drag her to camping out and white water rafting and she will drag me to New York City – I really do not know who is the most unhappy with this compromise but we both make it work.
 
The Traveler

The phrase "hell is full of good intentions" I think gives a clearer meaning but in doing so it just compounds things worse. An "intention" is what one actually intends to do. It's coupled with desire, plan & action. It's truly what is in ones heart. Somehow I feel we have divorced intention from action as if "intention" is just an idea on the edge of our mind but isn't our true desire and action.
Satan's true intentions wasn't to save anyone. He wanted to destroy God and his kingdom. His initial intentions were to overthrow God and enslave mankind into sin and reign over them in eternity. His rebellion and defiance to God we're bad intentions. Hell is full of bad intentions not good intentions.

Profanity and vulgarity are against our Covenants and there's no room for argument about that. If I have a hang-up with sexual deviancy, that does not mean I have a hang-up with sex, because they are not the same thing.
 
 

If failed (to any degree or for any reason) despite good intention is somehow an indication of actual evil intention - Who among us is truly repentant and worthy of G-d's forgiveness?
 
The Traveler

I have mostly heard this phrase associated in the political realm.
For instance giving handouts to poor people.  The thought is that you are doing good, but the effect is that you create an individual that now relies on handouts instead of working for a living.
One has the intention to good, but through those "good" intentions ultimately bad things occur.
The other way this phrase is use is to denote when people have good intentions, but don't act on them.

A good lesson!  Might I recommend the following:
God shows His love for us in this: that while we were yet sinners Christ died fo us. Romans 5:8
”Being a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable in others because God forgave the inexcusable in you,”  CS Lewis , Mere Christianity 
I think the above two demonstrate that it is helpful that we remember what we too were once covered in warts, but our father saw us not as we were but as who we can be  
President Eyring tells a wonderful story about how, when he was a Bishop, that he had to counsel one of his ward members who had just been busted for drunk driving.  As he tells the story he relates that he was going to tear into this guy, but before the meeting started the spirit allowed him to see this person as our Father saw him.  The experience changed the whole tenor of the meeting.
 
 
 

I believe there are many problems with individuals trying to figure out what is good, what is justified and what is evil.  Plus here are other dimensions - for example Jesus cautioned concerning those that look good on the outside but are rotten on the inside.  We are also told that G-d judges by what is in our heart rather than what others see in appearances (example Samuel choosing David over his brothers). 
The forum has discussed ad nauseam Eve's intention in partaking of the forbidden fruit.  We can understand that Eve was beguiled (which would indicate that she was convinced partaking was a "good" thing.  Perhaps the point is that people can make mistakes and cause trouble for themselves and others despite that their intention was good - at least from their point of view.  In the larger religious context - history is full of those intending to be obedient to G-d but in reality were acting in ignorance of truth.  Some now believe that "Manifest Destiny" (disfranchising of Natives through out the Americas) is such an example.
As I look back on my personal life - I was in the army during the Vietnam conflict.  On two separate occasions I had orders that would have taken me into combat in Vietnam.  A few months ago I was ridding Uber and my driver was from Vietnam.  His brother fought with the Vietcong but has since gotten over the horrors of that war (but not enough to come to the USA with the rest of his family).  I am grateful that in my service I never was put into a position of taking someone else's life - perhaps even this Uber driver's brother.   I am glad that I am not in a position to blame anyone that killed some of my friends and can find means to forgive. 
I do not know who is the candidate for Hell but if anyone can be argued to be a candidate - why not me.  Or if it can be argued that someone (other than Christ) is not a candidate for Hell - why not me.  It seems that without the Atonement - we all are worthy candidates of hell.  I am convinced that #1. we all need to be more forgiving of others.  And #2 - thankful and hopeful that G-ds mercy will save us and as many others as possible - despite our ignorant and mistaken intensions at the time.
 
The Traveler
 

There is a lot of science concerning cognitive behavior.  Cognitive behaviors are learned.  As for sexual behaviors - we are not born with behaviors.  We are also not born with fears but many cannot remember a time they did not suffer from certain fears - like the fear of spiders - thinking they were born with an innate fear of spiders.   My point is that often learned activities seem so ingrained that it is not uncommon for many to think they were born with something they have learned.
I have had many exchanges with those with same sex attractions.  I joined the army at age 17 but I looked about 13.  At the time I was 5'6" and weighed about 115.  I met a great many individuals with same sex attractions some of which ended with violence.  For much of my life I carried strong and bitter dislike of those of my same sex that were attracted to me.  This is not unique to same sex attractions - indeed it is problematic in general that often attractions are not mutual.  But those that would tell me they were born with same sex attractions would pursue me with statements of, "You do not know if you are really attracted to a same sex unless you try it".  There is a serious disconnect.
In the case of Pavlov's dog - concerning the lowest level of cognitive learning - it has been demonstrated that learning can take place at what is called the subliminal level.  My point is that sexual behavior is not so different from other learned behaviors.  Those that think "attractions" are not cognitive are caught in a bazar cycle of deliberate stupidity.   The problem is that this has become an emotional issue that is void of logic and reason.  A matter a someone wanting what they want and no amount of reason or logic will affect them.
 
The Traveler

In what sense is this "that religion stuff"?

When you figure out whatever it is that your are figuring out - I will have figured out everything else or else it will not matter - the heinseberg principle wouldn't have passed time to have happened.
 
The Traveler

I sort of agree - but the term fan has been seriously diluted - especially by sports and those that enjoy watching sports.  Technically the term fan is short for fanatic.  And I must be honest - I am a fanatic, by any definition, about my worship and relationship with G-d.  As I believe you to be too.
 
The Traveler

I do not intend to make this post long.  Rather I will only touch on highlights.   From time to time throughout history truth, knowledge and enlightenment have taken a back seat to political expediency.   Such things have brought about social change but never have such changes been beneficial in the long run.  In fact there seems to be an evolution of intellectualism within social structures that has eventually lead to the complete collapse of every civilization that once grew and prospered on this planet – because truth and understanding is ignored in favor of political expediency.
It is my personal observation and opinion that this is the present course of the gender redefinition movement.  It can be hard to come across unfiltered and unaltered raw scientific data.  In addition there have been a lot of “behavioral studies” that currently are being discarded.  Studies by Pavlov, Skinner and even the notorious Joseph Goebbels.   Please allow me to summarize.   Cognitive behaviors in intelligent species are learned or acquired.  The more intelligent the species – the more diverse the behavior and the more the behavior is learned or acquired – that is why the behavior is diverse – because it is learned or acquired.
For some reason the intelligent accusation or learning of certain behaviors – especially sexual behaviors is denied but more than denied – it is politically forbidden and even severely punished.  It is the false enforcement or denial of science that I believe to be the worst kind politics and the advanced degradation of any society.  In the debate between conservative religious ideologies and the gender redefinition movement – there is a lot of emotion and lack of adherence to truth and valid research – let alone logic – on both sides. 
I do not see a resolution to any current direction.  The LDS church relies on revelation – I am not sure those that want to see things in the church change in this matter; understand this principle of revelation very well.  As to the community that supports gender redefinition – there is an animus that prevents any unbiased intervention.  I have been given the label homophobe; just for suggesting that there is scientific evidence that an intelligent species can learn and acquire any cognitive behavior.   I have been accused of denying people “happiness”.  I have not been presented with any scientific (empirical) evidence that any cognitive behavior in an intelligent species is exclusively programmed at conception of an individual and cannot ever be intelligently controlled and over ridden.  If truth makes one side in a discussion unhappy – what possibility is there for any common ground based on truth and understanding?
 
The Traveler

Ivan Pavlov is sitting in a bar enjoying his beer when the phone rings.  "Oh no!" he cries.  "I forgot to feed the dogs."