Traveler

The second law of thermal dynamics says that the process of change will always occur in the direction of lessor complexity.  There are no exceptions and this is considered a law of science – not a theory.  I would point out that the condition of life is a condition of greater complexity than that of which life is absent.    A sad probability that is left from consideration of all scientific theories for the origins of life.  I would also point out that statistical probabilities – even considering infinite statistical probabilities does not mitigate life as we understand and define as possible as a “random” which would result contrary to decreased complexity.   
In this universe life cannot be random result but must; by the laws of terminal dynamics be caused by something more complex – and until proven otherwise – I hold to that the more complex is an entity of intelligence.  Because intelligence is the byproduct (inevitable or otherwise) of life.
 
The Traveler

Sadly medicine is not what most people think that it is.  For the most part medicine is a treatment of symptoms rather than a cause.  For example often aspirin is used for treatment of a headache but headaches are not cause by a lack of aspirin in our blood or anywhere else in the body.  What we always need to keep in mind is that medicines have side effects.   So we balance the ill side effects against the condition that is being suffered.   Seldom is medicine a cure but a way to deal with a condition while the physical body – or mind – finds a way to heal itself.   
In fact – many wonder about what is called the placebo effect and wonder if it is real – I believe it is the body or self that must heal.  I realize that may are upset with such a suggestion because of their dependency on various drugs for various things.  My point in posting is not to criticize – but to point out that there is no cure until the body or mind heals itself.  That the various treatments or drugs are not a cure but rather a means to cope.  And we all need help to cope with mortality – just that it is best – to my understanding – to teach the mind, spirit and body to cope without outside dependencies.  But then my religious friends do not like the idea of spiritual independence.
But it is my understanding that G-d will not do for us what we can do for ourselves – that he will only do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Like my atheist friends – when we think G-d is helping us with things we are capable of doing ourselves – I believe it is a delusion of coincidence.   Some have seen me argue the point of justice – that man is incapable of justice and thus if there is to be justice - man is dependent on G-d and without G-d there cannot be justice.  Not that man cannot strive for justice – just that his efforts will always fall short and create a condition of diminished returns where the human pursuit of justice will only produce more injustice. 
 
The Traveler

Let me provide some context.  My great grandfather was very much in love with his wife and her with him.  There are many touching stories about their tenderness and devotions towards each other.  Those that have looked at pictures of their ancestors that lived in the 1800’s are often amused by their stoic and plain poses.  My great grandfather was no stunningly hansom fellow but from photos my great grandmother was an exceptional beauty.  Not just in her time but even by today’s standards.   Not only was she a stunning beauty but she was well educated, musically talented and an exceptional thinker for her time and circumstance.   Great grandfather was a lot like Lehi of old – a very successful business man and served as the executive secretary (equal to CEO) of one of the Churches most successful United Orders.
Great grandfather and his wife received commandment from the prophet Brigham Young to include another wife in their marriage.  The two privately met to discuss this commandment but great grandmother would have nothing of it.  To say she was furious would be a gross understatement.   She left the meeting with great grandfather and started walking from her home in Brigham City, Utah to Salt Lake City to meet personally with Brigham Young.  It is said that several passed by great grandmother on her way and offered to take her and save her walking.  She refused any help and snarled in return, “No thank you – I am in a hurry and cannot be bothered”. 
She reached Salt Lake City and went directly to the Church’s administration building east of the Salt Lake Temple.  She went straight to Brigham Young’s office ignoring those that said she could not enter Brigham’s private office with permission.  The story is that Brigham was busy and dismissed his guests to see great grandmother.  It was said her voice of anger could be heard though out the admin building and that Brigham quietly closed his office door.  Twenty minutes or so great grandmother left Brigham’s office a very changed lady.  There is no record what happened or what or who said anything.  But a definite change in great grandmother.  She was taken home by carriage and soon afterwards great grandfather took a second wife by his first wife’s demand.
However, great grandfather did record that there is a divine order to plural wives.  That it is the primary responsibility of the first wife preside over the consideration and the courtship of all additional wives.  That the first wife does not merely provide input but is the one to determine what women are considered and eventually allowed and that all other wives must sustain and support the first wife – or an additional wife should not be allowed.  Also that if there is divorce from a wife – it is initiated by the first wife.  But even then the choice to consider an additional wife is not a choice of either the husband or wife but can only come by commandment from the prophet that holds the designated keys.  And that the keys cannot be delegated but must remain exclusively by the Prophet and President of the first Quorum of the President.  In short the Prophet must give a command for a marriage to take and additional wife and then the first wife has the responsibility to determine who it will be.  Perhaps considering the wishes of her husband of who to consider but that she determine who and how the new wife is invited. 
It was the opinion of great grandfather that a husband seeking an additional wife without the knowledge and willing consent of the first wife was an act of adultery.  I am sure there is more to all this than what I have highlighted but that this is the essence of at least part of the law and commandment of plural marriage.
 
The Traveler

I always thought that there are 3 kinds of people - those that can do math and those than cannot.
 
The Traveler

Let me help you with your question using the analogy of a spring.  If we apply a force we can compress or stretch a spring.  In physics we call this converting kinetic energy into potential energy.  By measuring the energy inputs and outputs we can determine the efficiency of the spring and how much energy it is absorbing or releasing at any given time.  Thus if we use x amount of force to compress the spring we should get the same x value of energy back when the spring is released; at least we should be able to account for the full value of x energy.
As we observe the universe, in essence, compressing and releasing we can only account for 5% of the energy we observe and measure.  We have not been able to account for where the other 95% of what causes the universe to expand and move about as it does.  That is the simple answer.  As we look at our little solar system we can account for 99.999999% of everything that is going on.  Actually it is even better that that – and this is why we were able to send a probe to Pluto and take pictures.  We also see that the rest of the universe works just like our little solar system but on a much greater scale.  But at the larger scale we can only account for 5% of what is going on. 
Our very average Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light years across and all that we know will not explain why our galaxy remains intact and does not break up into smaller pieces.  We have been able to determine that a lot goes on in relation to sub atomic particles – this is the basis of quantum mechanics.  But quantum weirdness still leaves a lot unknown.  One of the principles of quantum mechanics is that boson particles all exist at the speed of light.  Photons are sub atomic bosons.  There are two kinds of particles of matter/energy.  Bosons and fermions.
Now some exclusive Traveler theory – Many years ago (before all the dark matter and dark energy discoveries) I theorized that there is a third type of matter/energy particles.  Religiously we perhaps call this 3rd type of matter, spirit matter but I theorized that this third type of mater is matter that exist beyond the speed of light.  Mathematically this does some very interesting things to space-time.  It will also have a most interesting effect on entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.  Even more interesting is, if we assume symmetry – which seems to exist with all other matter and is the basic construct of quantum mechanics then all the universe can be accounted for.  I mentioned this theory before on this forum and drew a great deal of ire that immediately denounced the whole idea of spirit matter being detectable or calculable as contrary to revelation but I am inclined to think those that so criticized are not qualified to draw such conclusions – religiously or scientifically.  Though I have had some traction within the LDS religious community (which seems to be those very familiar with science) – in general I get a much better consideration from the scientific community than from the religious community.
BTW – I do not consider myself buff but I can hold my own cycling in a peloton on flat landscapes even with experts half my age (70)
 
The Traveler

If Dark Matter and Dark Energy is not enough now we also have Dark Radiation to contend with.  No one has any idea what any of this dark stuff is.  It is just that as we learn more about our universe and what it is doing – our best thinkers try to make some sense of it by inventing new terms to explain 95% of what we think the universe may be made up of. 
 
I realize that many like my beloved wife are quite satisfied with the concept that G-d created the universe - but I would point out that G-d, as the creator of the universe, is not exactly what the scriptures say.  The scriptures say that G-d created the heaven and the earth.  That heaven can be understood to mean the universe is speculation at best.  When scripture was given to mankind there was not much of an understanding of heaven – even in terms of our galaxy.  I am not sure many of my religious friends have much of a concept of the magnitude of our very common Milky Way Galaxy – that is only like 100,000 light years across.   It will be another 45 to 50 thousand years before the more dense parts of our galaxy will be able to realize that we have a modern civilization on our little earth; capable of using light as a communication medium.  Everything we know anything about belongs to the 5% and to be “real” we really do not know much about that 5%.  At least not enough to brag about.
 
Is there a religious meaning that our understanding is being advanced.  Is G-d allowing us to learn new things or is some other entity screwing with our understanding of things – and if there is another entity messing with our minds – why would G-d allow this to happen and not make any effort to correct the false and distracting concepts?  Are we on the threshold of human advancement?  Is knowledge going to change what manner of men we are?
 
BTW – one thing I have not seen addressed = because of what we now know about the expansion of our universe is – how long ago was the Big Bang? – if it was the Big Bang that started everything.  Since the expansion of the universe is accelerating and not decelerating it means the universe is significantly younger than we thought – but this means that many other clocks would require adjustments.  Though it is not near enough to explain a “young earth” as many interpret the scripture.
 
Is this a time of revelation of things that were never known before by man?  Or are our scriptures enough?
 
 
The Traveler

Sadly medicine is not what most people think that it is.  For the most part medicine is a treatment of symptoms rather than a cause.  For example often aspirin is used for treatment of a headache but headaches are not cause by a lack of aspirin in our blood or anywhere else in the body.  What we always need to keep in mind is that medicines have side effects.   So we balance the ill side effects against the condition that is being suffered.   Seldom is medicine a cure but a way to deal with a condition while the physical body – or mind – finds a way to heal itself.   
In fact – many wonder about what is called the placebo effect and wonder if it is real – I believe it is the body or self that must heal.  I realize that may are upset with such a suggestion because of their dependency on various drugs for various things.  My point in posting is not to criticize – but to point out that there is no cure until the body or mind heals itself.  That the various treatments or drugs are not a cure but rather a means to cope.  And we all need help to cope with mortality – just that it is best – to my understanding – to teach the mind, spirit and body to cope without outside dependencies.  But then my religious friends do not like the idea of spiritual independence.
But it is my understanding that G-d will not do for us what we can do for ourselves – that he will only do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Like my atheist friends – when we think G-d is helping us with things we are capable of doing ourselves – I believe it is a delusion of coincidence.   Some have seen me argue the point of justice – that man is incapable of justice and thus if there is to be justice - man is dependent on G-d and without G-d there cannot be justice.  Not that man cannot strive for justice – just that his efforts will always fall short and create a condition of diminished returns where the human pursuit of justice will only produce more injustice. 
 
The Traveler

One can find excuse for anything they want to do or do not want to do.  There are some that argue that a glass of wine is actually good for one's health.  But then in actual studies it is shown that the presents of alcohol does not contribute to the benefits that wine provides and that 100% of the benefits of wine comes from other ingredients - zero benefit from the alcohol.  I have a covenant with G-d to substain from drinking alcohol - I have also taken it upon myself to abstain from softdrinks that contain caffene.  What I find most interesting is that even though I do not argue with others to abstain from caffene softdrinks (my wife often drinks caffene softdrinks) beyond that softdrinks can contribute to negativetly to health (particularly overweight) - many that wish to justify their obvious addiction - will criticize me for my discipline to abstain.  I believe their criticism is driven somewhat by a feeling of gilt? Especially if they are overweight and know that softdrinks do not help at all and the reason caffene is added to softdrinks is because of it addictive nature - that increases sales.
 
The Traveler
 
 

One can find excuse for anything they want to do or do not want to do.  There are some that argue that a glass of wine is actually good for one's health.  But then in actual studies it is shown that the presents of alcohol does not contribute to the benefits that wine provides and that 100% of the benefits of wine comes from other ingredients - zero benefit from the alcohol.  I have a covenant with G-d to substain from drinking alcohol - I have also taken it upon myself to abstain from softdrinks that contain caffene.  What I find most interesting is that even though I do not argue with others to abstain from caffene softdrinks (my wife often drinks caffene softdrinks) beyond that softdrinks can contribute to negativetly to health (particularly overweight) - many that wish to justify their obvious addiction - will criticize me for my discipline to abstain.  I believe their criticism is driven somewhat by a feeling of gilt? Especially if they are overweight and know that softdrinks do not help at all and the reason caffene is added to softdrinks is because of it addictive nature - that increases sales.
 
The Traveler
 
 

One can find excuse for anything they want to do or do not want to do.  There are some that argue that a glass of wine is actually good for one's health.  But then in actual studies it is shown that the presents of alcohol does not contribute to the benefits that wine provides and that 100% of the benefits of wine comes from other ingredients - zero benefit from the alcohol.  I have a covenant with G-d to substain from drinking alcohol - I have also taken it upon myself to abstain from softdrinks that contain caffene.  What I find most interesting is that even though I do not argue with others to abstain from caffene softdrinks (my wife often drinks caffene softdrinks) beyond that softdrinks can contribute to negativetly to health (particularly overweight) - many that wish to justify their obvious addiction - will criticize me for my discipline to abstain.  I believe their criticism is driven somewhat by a feeling of gilt? Especially if they are overweight and know that softdrinks do not help at all and the reason caffene is added to softdrinks is because of it addictive nature - that increases sales.
 
The Traveler
 
 

I believe there is a very real difference between consequences and punishment.  The word punishment comes from the word punitive - which is different than consequences and is intended to force discipline or in essence correct or change behavior.  It comes from the philosophy of forced rehabilitation.  I think that the use of punishment for sin in scripture is somewhat of miss translation and interpretation of man's divine purpose and destiny and is a misunderstanding.  Does G-d try or force us to change our behavior?  I do not think so - the idea is a direct contradiction of agency.  Many consider deliberate negative reinforcement inferior to positive reinforcement as a teaching tool.  Others wonder why we should think at all in terms of behavior reinforcement which can be considered to be a contradiction of justice - but as we consider justice we are confronted with the tender compassion of mercy.
And so I believe that agency plays a critical role in determining the mercy G-d extends that we might not die and remain so.  Death being the unavoidable consequence or punishment of sin.  But the choice of agency is not between sin and it consequences or not sin and not the consequences of sin.  The choice of agency is between holiness and righteousness and not holiness and righteousness which is the foundation of sin.  Like the difference between light and darkness.  Light is the presents of something and darkness of that absents of that something.  Light is not the absents of darkness - it is the other way around - darkness is the absents of light.  Many are inclined to think that holiness or being perfect is the absents of sin or being with without flaw.  That just is not true and bring much misunderstanding.  Holiness, perfection, being whole or righteousness is the possession of something not the absents of something.  Being sinful or fallen is a state of incompleteness a state of missing something.
It is the purpose of G-d to bring us to completeness - that is the purpose of the atonement.  Being absent of sin is not the purpose of G-d.  Being absent of sin could better be accomplished through the plan of Lucifer or Satan.  But that absents of sin is not holiness and is not complete.  And so there seems to be a paradox for G-d only delivers us from sin.  It is our choice of agency to walk the holy path of life to eternal completeness.  This great flaw - I see as the foundations of all other churches and why there is only one "True" church that leads man beyond the absents of sin to be perfect oneness with G-d - which is G-d.
 
The Traveler

Some of you know I was recently called as RS President (I wouldn't mention that, but it's key to this post).  So, my secretary and I are going this evening to visit some sisters in the ward.  In coordinating this via email, I received this disturbing question from her:
Personally, I think it would be a bit too shocking were we to chuck our clothes for these visits!  Young people today have the most peculiar ideas sometimes.
(Cell phones with "keyboards" may prove our downfall yet...  If nothing else, I now have a perfectly legitimate way to tease her until she turns the same color as her hair (she's a red-head). )

My Ideal business is a consulting engineer for automation, robotics and artificial intelligence working out of my home.  I have 6 large HD monitors and 3 computers in my office.  I also run a couple of internet business from my home, my wife has a business plus the two of us have a commercial property business we run.  My wife and I make a great team - she handles all the money - I hate money and I hate spending it - she loves handling money - especially the spending part.  Currently also working on a patent - I may end up selling it or starting another business - but to be honest I trying to get out of starting new stuff.  I would like to go on a mission and to be honest I would not object to serving a mission in the spirit world.  Life here has been great but I got to believe there is much much more to do and learn in the next life.
 
The Traveler

My Ideal business is a consulting engineer for automation, robotics and artificial intelligence working out of my home.  I have 6 large HD monitors and 3 computers in my office.  I also run a couple of internet business from my home, my wife has a business plus the two of us have a commercial property business we run.  My wife and I make a great team - she handles all the money - I hate money and I hate spending it - she loves handling money - especially the spending part.  Currently also working on a patent - I may end up selling it or starting another business - but to be honest I trying to get out of starting new stuff.  I would like to go on a mission and to be honest I would not object to serving a mission in the spirit world.  Life here has been great but I got to believe there is much much more to do and learn in the next life.
 
The Traveler

This is one concept, one truth, that more people need to understand. Before my mission I suffered with anxiety, such that when experiencing new experiences (or in social settings) my face would turn red, my face would begin to sweat (beads would begin to form on my face), and I would be out of breath and couldn't speak at times. I worked on my mission to overcome, and when I first got home from my mission I would wear three layers of clothing so that when I hugged a girl I was interested in she wouldn't feel my the soaked sweat from my armpits (as it would soak the first two layers). After four long years, inspiration from time-to-time from the Lord, I was finally able to conquer my anxiety -- I found the source (via inspiration) and was able to overcome. I still have one aspect of anxiety I haven't yet discovered its source. Once I do, I will overcome that also through the Atonement. It took work, daily work though, to overcome what I would experience with anxiety in social situations.

I was recently on vacation in Europe and Turkey (just weeks ago).  As I understand, the primary reason for the Coup in Turkey is centered on the refugee problem and the handling of the Syrian civil war.  Up until now, I did not think the upcoming election would make that much of an actual difference.    Though the NATO countries are currently on board with US foreign policy in the Middle East this is not the sentiment of the citizen population of Europe that I encountered.   Though it is not a scientific survey – I did not talk to a single citizen in any European country that thinks their country is doing the right thing accepting Syrian refugees.  And our current president is not popular at all – I would say less so than he is here or will be at the Republican convention – negations and talking and speeches just do not cut it.

In essence Turkey is taking to changing a very unpopular policy through the military Coup and I believe the vast majority of the citizens support the change.  Not sure how this will translate in our media here.   This coup is a 100% rejection of American foreign policy.  But this is even worse – The most popular world leader that is respected for making the most sense is Vladimir Putin.    If Turkey aligns with Russia – we will suffer the worse foreign policy blunder in the history of this country.

I realize that  foreign policy is not the #1 issue in America in the upcoming election but I am certain that if the Democrats remain in power – the world will have significant changes that will impact the USA in ways we have not possible.  The idea that our enemies do not fear us and our allies do not respect us will come to fruition in ways that will not have just an economic effect (full blown depression) but other things of even worse consequence.   For example – I believe that it is possible that we could experience the detonation of a nuclear device in one or more of our major cities and population areas.

If you have not guessed it by now – I am very concerned with what will happen next – I think we will see, very soon, prophesies fulfilled that were given in the Proclamation to the World.   This is not a good day.

 
The Traveler

Some of the most important spiritual lessons come from our experience in a physical universe.  As some of you know – I am an avid cyclist.   For over 30 years of my life I commuted 20 to 25 miles one way to work by bicycle.  On weekends I often competed in amateur events.  I was no star – especially on long inclines or into the wind.  The best I ever did was a bronze podium for a 50 mile time trial open event.   One place I could hold my own was on long endurance rides and I can still keep up with semi pros on the flat runs.  But at this point of my life (70 years old) a century (100 miles) leaves me exhausted and useless for the rest of the day –

My wife asks – why do you have to push yourself?  I still do training runs most every day.  The truth is – I like eating bread (carbs) and not being overweight – plus I like the grinding speed of cycling.  But what does all this have to do with spiritual applications?  For one – it has taught me a lot about endurance and the doctrine of “enduring to the end”.  The ancient Apostle Paul suggests that we should run (endure) to win or at least run (endure) with the intent to finish well.

First lesson of enduring to the end – Daily Training:  The worse mistake ever is to attempt a long endurance ride having not trained.  If one does not train – they will not finish.  Training is what you do every day to prepare for endurance to finish a long ride.

   When we cycle there are 3 basic elements of training: 1. Eat right – take in proper nourishment.   2. Get adequate rest.  This does not mean that you just sleep so many hours but that you schedule consistently your sleep time.   Have a daily workout plan – Daily does not mean, do the same thing every day – but each day you target your various training needs – working on specific things to improve.  In my younger years I did what we in cycling call, cadence training.  I have adopted a more modern approach called heart rate training.

If you are going to ride in heat – then you train in heat.  If you have a weakness you work on it to make that weakness strong.  It is interesting that G-d says he will train us to make our weakness our strength.   I do not believe G-d makes us strong with magic and because we just happen to be sitting somewhere. Strength cannot happen if you are not training and following instructions to become better.  This brings up another point - you also need to seek out advice about your training – every good competitor has a coach (mentor). 

Second lesson of enduring to the end – Use the best equipment:  Don’t just ride anything in a race – get the best equipment – not the best you can – the best there is. The only way this can happen is if you are always on the lookout for something better.  You cannot keep up with inferior equipment – even if it is just slightly inferior.  I have a great friend that is always saying – there are no bad days, no bad weather, no bad luck – just bad preparation and bad equipment.  I like to think of belonging to the LDS Church as owning the best equipment.  But it is not enough to just have the best – you have to maintain it at its top peak performance level.  And you have to know your equipment inside and out – it is like an appendage of yourself – you take ownership of it.

The point is – enduring to the end is not just a hanging around till it is over – it is doing you best.  Your best to be ready and your best throughout the entire ride or journey – and you do not quit because that is not what you trained to do.  How you as a reader apply this parable and find spiritual counterparts of enduring to the end – it is up to you but if you are in a race – you ought to at least enjoy it – and I promise you and exhort you – you will not enjoy it if you are not trained and prepared to do your best.


The Traveler

Some of the most important spiritual lessons come from our experience in a physical universe.  As some of you know – I am an avid cyclist.   For over 30 years of my life I commuted 20 to 25 miles one way to work by bicycle.  On weekends I often competed in amateur events.  I was no star – especially on long inclines or into the wind.  The best I ever did was a bronze podium for a 50 mile time trial open event.   One place I could hold my own was on long endurance rides and I can still keep up with semi pros on the flat runs.  But at this point of my life (70 years old) a century (100 miles) leaves me exhausted and useless for the rest of the day –

My wife asks – why do you have to push yourself?  I still do training runs most every day.  The truth is – I like eating bread (carbs) and not being overweight – plus I like the grinding speed of cycling.  But what does all this have to do with spiritual applications?  For one – it has taught me a lot about endurance and the doctrine of “enduring to the end”.  The ancient Apostle Paul suggests that we should run (endure) to win or at least run (endure) with the intent to finish well.

First lesson of enduring to the end – Daily Training:  The worse mistake ever is to attempt a long endurance ride having not trained.  If one does not train – they will not finish.  Training is what you do every day to prepare for endurance to finish a long ride.

   When we cycle there are 3 basic elements of training: 1. Eat right – take in proper nourishment.   2. Get adequate rest.  This does not mean that you just sleep so many hours but that you schedule consistently your sleep time.   Have a daily workout plan – Daily does not mean, do the same thing every day – but each day you target your various training needs – working on specific things to improve.  In my younger years I did what we in cycling call, cadence training.  I have adopted a more modern approach called heart rate training.

If you are going to ride in heat – then you train in heat.  If you have a weakness you work on it to make that weakness strong.  It is interesting that G-d says he will train us to make our weakness our strength.   I do not believe G-d makes us strong with magic and because we just happen to be sitting somewhere. Strength cannot happen if you are not training and following instructions to become better.  This brings up another point - you also need to seek out advice about your training – every good competitor has a coach (mentor). 

Second lesson of enduring to the end – Use the best equipment:  Don’t just ride anything in a race – get the best equipment – not the best you can – the best there is. The only way this can happen is if you are always on the lookout for something better.  You cannot keep up with inferior equipment – even if it is just slightly inferior.  I have a great friend that is always saying – there are no bad days, no bad weather, no bad luck – just bad preparation and bad equipment.  I like to think of belonging to the LDS Church as owning the best equipment.  But it is not enough to just have the best – you have to maintain it at its top peak performance level.  And you have to know your equipment inside and out – it is like an appendage of yourself – you take ownership of it.

The point is – enduring to the end is not just a hanging around till it is over – it is doing you best.  Your best to be ready and your best throughout the entire ride or journey – and you do not quit because that is not what you trained to do.  How you as a reader apply this parable and find spiritual counterparts of enduring to the end – it is up to you but if you are in a race – you ought to at least enjoy it – and I promise you and exhort you – you will not enjoy it if you are not trained and prepared to do your best.


The Traveler

I would draw attention to D&C 132:7
 
The reason is personal which has to do with my personal covenant in posting on the internet and for those of various faiths that are forbidden to reference or copy text (outside of scripture).  I also find it interesting that anciently - even in scripture - careful and measured efforts were made in making any reference to the sacred name or title of our divine creator. 
Thanks for asking
 
The Traveler

It is not that I am 100% against the question of this thread - but I have a very different opinion about making choices and safeguarding agency.  It is my opinion that the very essence of this thread is in opposition to agency.  Part of our agency in the choice of marriage is in developing relationships that allow us to learn (I am a great proponent of learning) how to not just choose a spouse that has "all" the attributes we desire - but how to become the kind of spouse that will support a relationship that will benefit their spouse the most.  I honestly believe we learn too much to see marriage from what we want or think we need rather than to discipline and prepare ourselves for something greater and more important than we and our individuality are.  So upside down have we become that it is difficult for many to support and argue for what marriage should be - and so marriage has been redefined as the ultimate relationship whose only purpose is to make you happy in the moment of your personal desires.
 
The Traveler

A little follow up from my initial post.  Generally I found that in many countries in Europe (including Turkey) most of the citizens trust the military more than the police.  I was told directly that this is because the police tend to be more corrupt and influenced by  local powers and bribes.  Since the military is often transferred it is more difficult to corrupt them.  Another note of difference from the USA, is that the European military are used for much more for civilian protection roles than here in the USA.  It almost appeared to me that the local police were something on the level of a mall security cop.  Often the police do not carry guns.  But the military are well armed and prepared for combat or swat duty.
Though Turkey is a Moslem state they are very sectarian and believe in separation between church and state but not to the extent as here in the USA.  There are many populated areas in Turkey where the calls to prayer are not heard.  Lately there has been moves by the president to be more supportive of Islam and to move away from the West and NATO.  Now that the coup has failed all the opposing factions critical of the president are being blamed and punished.   It is likely that the US will no longer be able to use bases in Turkey to fight against Islamic terrorists.  The only way that these events are not a failure of our administration is if our administration intended that Turkey become more Islamic.  I have discussed this with my very Democrat friends - they are alarmed and even offended that I would imply that our administration would deliberately be involved in Turkey becoming Islamic - Then I contend - the foreign policy has failed once again. 
When it comes to politics and religion supporters of a particular faction will stand in the light of noon day and declare it night rather than admit obvious truth they do not like at the moment.  I caught part of a conservative radio host broadcast today that suggested it is impossible to find common ground with "Liberals".  Many forget that prior to WWII, few were interested in the US involvement in another war - right up the the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  It took that for a generation to stand up and fight and become known as the greatest generation.  What will it take again to unite this country and bring all to the table of compromise???  How about the detonation of a nuclear device or several in a major population center or centers?  Could we be headed there - how soon we forget - following the fall of communism in Russia enough nuclear material became "lost" to create at least 100 nuclear devices - and is still missing.  Is the current election a difference maker?
 
The Traveler

A note about polygamy.  My great grandfather was instructed to live polygamy - he was not happy about it but did so because he was commanded by a prophet.  But he also wrote in his personal journal that many leaders in the Church (mostly at stake and ward levels) were abusing the commandment and as a result he prophesied that not only would the commandment of polygamy be taken from the earth but that the Church would come under great condemnation for the abuses.   I believe there is enough abuse in our current marriage covenants - that if anything - blessing will be taken from our generation - not added.
 
The Traveler

If one begins with an uncertain inaccurate premise there is no possibility for a certain and accurate conclusion – even if for a time the conclusion seems a plausible explanation for things seeming to be or interpreted to be.
The Traveler

Having competed in some sports in my younger years – one of the concepts of fencing was rather interesting.  One defensive goal in fencing is to slightly alter the opponents attack just enough to prevent a score (rather than to completely block or prevent their attack) and then gain advantage of their attack momentum to win the score.  In essence, when we miss or fail short, the opposition always wins regardless of how far off the mark one is.
But I would comment on your cataloging of sin – Jesus taught that to fail to forgive another of their transgressions was a greater sin than was the initial transgression.
 
The Traveler

I would draw attention to D&C 132:7
 
The reason is personal which has to do with my personal covenant in posting on the internet and for those of various faiths that are forbidden to reference or copy text (outside of scripture).  I also find it interesting that anciently - even in scripture - careful and measured efforts were made in making any reference to the sacred name or title of our divine creator. 
Thanks for asking
 
The Traveler