"Questions of Concern"

Recently I was asked several questions and to provide my thoughts on each of them. Thus my thoughts follow below. As per usual I’ve not included footnoting – but most is readily available to those who require or desire more on the subjects. c/ork

Question 1: Are there connections between mathematics and the universe? Mathematics and the Universe go hand in hand! It’s because of mathematics one can actually delve into the universe with any reassurance of what to expect. Kepler is one of the best in explaining this in his quest of the Three Laws. Halley was immersed in the mathematics and wasn’t looking for a random but for something with real measure. Newton, Einstein and almost all of the others who are relatively honest will honor mathematics in some of their best works.

When one looks into the heavens all types of mathematical equations are taking place – we measure distance – time – space – and the relationships found therein. To make this even more basic we use mathematics in all aspects of our daily life – standing up – walking – various movements to dress and even to brush our teeth. We don’t think of these as being math because of the repetitive nature of the acts – but each has an element of math.

When we open a door we know how far to swing the door – and this is a relationship to the purpose of opening the door. Baking – cooking – preparing a mixture or blend each require mathematics. Our clothes size or shoe size – finding the proper glasses – not overfilling a container – each admit to the use of math. Playing sports or repairing a car engine are filled with mathematics.

Sadly we’ve been conditioned to think of math in the terms of science and high formulae that only some can understand or care to a part of – but indeed this is not true. Every aspect of our lives is involved with mathematics and one could say since this is our universe the two are very well connected (smile).

Question 2(a): What do I think of Mathematics? Math is fun – but in a much different way for me as I’ve to do most of my math in my head. My dyslexia gets in the way of doing things on paper (and yes the computer helps greatly to overcome this short-coming). We used math to work with you on goal-keeping (smile) – and when we home schooled Morgen math was taught in a varied of ways – so that it was practical and not just meaningless exercises. Most lose interest in math because of the way that it’s taught! And in most classrooms this means to either the brightest or the slowest. In either case most in the classroom get bored and thus they get lost. The brightest in their boredom open their minds and race into multiple other ways to use what’s being taught. However the slower students and even good students when they get lost tend to give up or in and grasping what they can just try to pass. Thus the joy and fun in math is lost. Math is used in most everything and especially in the Gospel for the parables!

Math is also a measure of what’s possible and what is more difficult to resolve into the possible. Some math will show what cannot be supported and thus not only is not possible but most likely is wrong. As an example a person brings an old guitar to be sold. He gives in his example that this was used by some recording star. You check the date of manufacture inside the unit and find it was built after the recording star died. You then deduce that it was not played and could not have been played by the recording star.

The mind can achieve only what it can visualize! Therefore to be able to think in abstracts bringing them to an idea to write down – and then to resolve into actual fact requires the use of mathematics. Even while you’re dreaming you can determine that you’re dreaming from the data being presented. The ability to visualize in one’s mind while either awake or sleeping depends on what you’ve put into your mind purposely during your waking hours. Whatever you’ve put in there will be there for usage when needed or called upon. This is why some who say they can’t remember – know they know or knew – but currently it’s escaping them somewhere in their minds.

When we think it’s in simple mathematics – we either save or delete from the problem at hand what’s available for us to use. Simple mathematics is that which you can understand – you’re the measure and no one else. Many times it would appear we don’t need to hesitate to come up with a solution – i.e. when driving and paying attention we constantly see risks and hazards taking the proper course to avoid or to diminish. This is all mathematics in constant motion and changing circumstances. Someone who’s distracted – i.e. on the phone – tuning the radio or TV (now-a-days) will not compute in the same manner and thus increase both the risks and hazards.

Each sentence one writes or says is mathematical – each thought is also the same. When writing for a newspaper I learned to look at the article as a math problem and see if it was constructed in a way so that another could understand and follow the thoughts clearly and thus gain from the article without being confused. Think of the following: n + v = s (noun plus verb equals sentence) – and then we just compound (or complicate) from there.

Question 2(b): How is math related to the universe? Hopefully some of the above has answered this question but let’s delve deeper into the universe. Much of what follows here will deal with two ‘Theorems’ the first being: There is a God and He and His Son created this Universe! The second is that you know and understand the first!

These two theorems are not a trite observations - but one must put aside much of man’s philosophy and rhetoric to understand the basis of simple mathematics and the universe. When one takes away Father and the Son – they take away common sense and replace it with chaos and random chance with odds that are so great nothing could’ve happened and continue to happen as we perceive them in our current state. Rather than quote them which many have done and are there for the reading – let’s suffice it to say – without a creator we wouldn’t be here and neither would anything else!

Heavenly Father has laws of nature and these laws extend to the universe. Kepler was following in the footsteps of others as he spent twenty plus years in developing his ‘Three Laws of the Universe!’ The 3rd of these laws took the longest – but he stayed with it in spite of setbacks – until he arrived upon an idea which if it worked would clarify the speed and distance from the sun the relationship between the planets and the sun. In the end it was a simple math error which when discovered unlocked the key to the 3rd Law. His work later allowed for those who came after him to solve gravity – the paths of comets and even to the famous E=MC2.

Math is related to the Universe simply because there’s a solid relationship to all that we now know – and all that we will someday know. Nothing is random in the visual world where the Universe is concerned. The lifetime of stars – the movements in space – the use of space ships (shuttles) – are all based on these constants and the use of mathematics to get them from point A to point B and so on. Without mathematics one would still see the various relationships but might not be able to finitely describe them – yet a child when looking at the heavens can make very telling statements without any knowledge of math that the scholar might have or possess.

There is yet much math to be discovered and new and unknown discoveries to be made. Some will cause the deletion of what some propose as the final law or finding – and most of the other will support and sustain that which is found in Father’s laws of nature and the universe. Almost all will somewhere start within the mind of an individual looking at something in a different light than those who’ve gone before them. One can never say that we know all that can be known – for each day with the more we learn the more we find we don’t know. And in the world of math and the universe there’s much to be discovered!

Question 3: Why do you think music is or is not a universal language? In order to be a universal language something must be able to transcend all ages – all time and all cultural biases. Music in the presence sense is being defined as instrumental and not vocal. Vocal music requires some knowledge of language or language being used. With this understanding in the present sense does music do this? I think not! It is quite doubtful one could take some types of music into an environment where it has never been played before and find it communicates with the new hearers. Yes on TV and in movies this doesn’t seem to be a problem – but this is not real life! Music has a quality (or to me some types) to cause relaxation and a feeling of introspection. Yet many today might find this same music as offending and a waste of their time.

To be a universal language something must be able to be communicated effectively with all of the universe’s hearers. Someone speaking French or Arabic can fully communicate with someone else who does also – yet for another who understands neither language the only thing they might discern is one language is French and the other Arabic. However if one speaking a totally unknown language and speaks loudly and forcefully while pointing a loaded weapon at you it will be understood.

Of all of the languages known to mankind in our universe one could reasonably propose that music might be the best understood by the largest majority. Soft music – hard music – marching music – dancing music – destructive or healing music and most likely be discerned by a majority. Michael Balkcom has written and spoken on the use of music to communicate – but in his example (that I’m most familiar with) it is with people who could recognize the music from a past experience.

Also as criteria one must express what they’re hoping to communicate. When I’m driving and some ‘boom box’ pulls alongside of me at a light – other than causing some anger – wondering about their future ability to hear (as they age) the communication is only negative and turned off. Now if one wants to consider this as communication then one can say, ‘Yes, they communicated with their music!’ However I would not want this to be considered a ‘universal language’ in the sense of positive communications where all can understand the same message as being presented.

Now let’s change the criteria – music as from Heavenly Father to bring both beauty and warmth into the world – can be considered a universal language! An infant child can and will respond to this type of music as well as any age can too! Yet too many will disregard or push aside such a limited criteria for defining music.

One would/could argue or guess infants (or any age) can also have a response to the world’s music as well. What Heavenly Father has presented to man – man without regard to the source tends to worldize it to gain acceptance and money. When one needs worldly music to get excited or moved upon and then they accept this as communication – one would not suppose others would be also. However the more pure music which we find in hymns – without the ‘new beat’ can do all that we need to allow us to find peace within and without in a world driven to frenzy for satisfaction.

Let me conclude this with what Morgen said to be one day as we were traveling together, “Dad are you listening to those lyrics?” At which point I paused – turned off the radio/tape player and said, “Thank you – I guess I was not – for this was familiar music to me from my youth – and I’d forgotten the intention of the lyrics.” Ever since then I’ve tried to be more careful to what I listen to either in private or when with others. I seek for uplifting music! Sometimes I’ll get out my old 45’s but these are carefully sorted for their content and listen to them. One would guess this then implies that music does communicate – but again this is isolated to me in this instance.

Now let’s tie all of this together – mathematics – universe and music! Music is first and foremost filled with mathematics – the notes – staffs – flow, etc. all require some coordination so others can duplicate or repeat – playing the same thought. The individual or group playing the music must be able to read the same information and know how long or short each note is to be and to the loudness or softness desired. This is all math!! Music has its own universe and since we’ve clarified for this essay it’s our universe we are found in a harmony of not having one without the other. We each have our own rhythms – we each see our own universe and we each have our own simply mathematics. Without such we would be nothing more than chaotic and irrelevant to ourselves and to our universe.

“Questions of Concern”

cji
11/22/08

Matters not the questions
only matters we want to know
questions of concern
here today to be found
answered and resolved
with more questions to ask
as climbing a mountain
when cresting the top
other mountains seen
and there to – to climb;

Questions of concern
able to answer in part
for space and time all
leaves knowledge poor
and when we know
we find more we don’t
thus the quest goes on
deeper and deeper
higher and higher
never ending this day
or tomorrows to come!


Copyright © 2008 – cji

20081114 a reply (gun letter from Illinois)

Hi Chuck - “My husband wants to get a gun, but I have already told him that I don't feel that guns are safe in homes with children. He says we would have a gun safe, but I see too many scary stories. He can get a gun when our child grows up... Besides, if we really needed one, his father has a lot of them. I personally hate guns and won't touch one (I did have a BB gun in middle school, but didn't really like it...), but I do think you have the right to own one if you are a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record or record of any mental instability. Just because I don't like guns myself doesn't mean I want that right taken from you. I just think there need to be more stringent laws to buy them to avoid casualties like VA tech.” “A Reply” cji 11/14/08 Simple notes on paper nothing more or less like a smoking vapor or an invisible address; Thoughts of a concern what’s best for another maybe not ours to discern even for a sister/brother; Yet in silence to remain serves neither or all our liberties to maintain on me this would gnaw! Hi my friend – you’re like many – the horror stories are because one doesn’t honor the fact that guns are a weapon – however there’s more horror stories about going to the ER or driving a car. A gun like anything else is a ‘tool’ it can be used for good or evil. When I go on base and they ask if you’ve any weapons or drugs – I have to keep myself from smiling as almost anyone who’s been trained like me can use almost anything as a weapon. Let me address VA Tech right up front – that was a criminal action – which the media thrived upon – however not one new law could’ve prevented it from happening – yet one legally armed person could’ve stopped it! The media never talks about the similar situations where one legally armed person has stopped something like this in its tracks. Had one or two students – professors tried to intervene they could’ve stopped this person yet from the reports all acted in the passive manner to which the society has indoctrinated them and buried their heads in the sand saying in denial – this isn’t happening. It was happening and someone should’ve been able to stop him! The VA Tech issue points out something that almost every criminal in our society knows and understands is that most of their victims will be passive. Thus when one fights back mostly they’ll flee the scene and wait for another to come by. And our protectors will have more important things to do with their time than to investigate such an incident. In a case I’m very familiar with the warning was put off – my friend got away. His next victims weren’t so lucky - two were killed and a teenage girl was viciously raped. Any such situations are more about media hype than about good crime prevention. Thus now to address the need for those who like me feel a deep respect and regard for protection of others on the playing field which we live. Understanding your concern is why there are those ‘like me’ who are called ‘sheep dogs’ we keep the predators away as we’re able. When the wolf packs get larger and larger (Gaddiaton Robbers) then more than one sheep dog in needed. And soon there won’t be as many as needed and one will have to rely on the local police – sheriff – or state police. They can’t be everywhere and are clearly marked targets for the predators so they also are major targets. Each family has to decide what they’ll be or do. We own guns – and have always had a great respect for them. But we also had the right to buy them without fear of a government intervening on this right. Each gun we own is legal (the wolves own the illegal guns) and properly registered. We hunt for food (we feed many others because of this) and we own them as a deterrent. There’s plenty of locks and safety devices to protect children – and again education is most important aspect of gun safety. Your children are more likely to be harmed in some other – any other way than from a gun. Those who get into gun accidents are seeking to be an accident or not being obedient – this is taught in their homes and schools. Our nation has chosen this person to be our next President – we will all have to abide his leadership and direction. “Article of Faith 12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” What and how he decides to lead is yet to be seen – but his track record speaks quite clearly even if the media/press cares not to make this available to the rest of the nation’s population. One can bury their head and say, “Change” but one must realize the change isn’t just for them and what’s going to be changed? One must remember that the UN has as its #1 goal to disarm the US!! President Ezra Taft Benson has spoken long and given council on this matter. A world government or community would accomplish this – and thus the Constitution would become null and void. We’ve at least four or five nations who’ve openly declared war on the US and are doing all in their power to eliminate the US as either an influence or power in the world. At their head is Satan – his full desire is Chaos and Mayhem. One must remember at Hahn’s Mill none (no one) offered any resistance to the militia which shot and killed and otherwise destroyed those who could not defend themselves – women – children and men. This was under the orders of the State of Missouri’s Government and Governor. When Joseph Smith was in the Liberty Jail with the others – it was the guard who bragged of raping the women and smashing the heads of their children on the rocks next to them. Again this was with the approval of the Government then in power and none of the ‘militia’ were ever tried for their crimes. History does repeat itself because for the most part history in fact is no longer being taught in the schools and certainly not on TV or in the movies. Many have chosen to rewrite history to fit their needs and lifestyles. Many do this in the idea that they’ll be dead before any long term effects are seen in their environment. Most do this in ignorance because they depend on others to lead, teach and indoctrinate them into the peer acceptance of the crowd and society of their world. Being accepted is more important than being right or truthful. The belief in fairy tales doesn’t make the true – and neither does the belief in rhetoric or logismoi make either true gnosis. In the end each has to make decisions on what they should do or not do. Gun ownership will be found of small importance in the grand stage of what we’ve done or not done. Owning a gun has little to do with knowing how to use a gun. Just like all things in our lives ownership involves a responsibility that most have abdicated. It would be my guess that most actually think they do ‘own’ something – anything – when in truth nothing is owned by anyone – for all belongs to another – however – stewardship of what we’ve been given accountability for – will matter most of all. My guess it would’ve been very difficult for Moroni to raise the Standard of Liberty – to swear to defend that which was most precious: “Alma 46: 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land— “ if he had not the means or way to ensure these goals. Each morning when we kneel in prayer do we put on our armor? If so for what purpose? Thus we have ‘sheep dogs’ and those who need our protection. As a sheep dog one must not only be prepared – they must be an example on to others – so that the ‘flock’ feel their concern and protection. There are many ways in which one can be a sheep dog – bearing arms is not the only way – however being counted on to stand fast and not waiver is! Your friend and brother – c/ork Copyright © 2008 – cji This is an addendum from a friend of mine who’s a retired Police Professor: “Rich Pearson is heavily involved in the ill State Rifle Assoc. Those of us who watched voting records knew this, but not many watch. B.O.'s record here was terrible and Daley loved his votes. Trouble is lack of real reporting by the press and pressure from the McCain camp. This issue should have cost him some hunting states. One Bill he supported would have outlawed all guns with over .50 inch bore, pretty much all shotguns above 28 gauge. Down state farmers went nuts.”

"FBI finds most terrorism threat reports baseless" "What to Think"

(Photo Copyright © 2008 Sidna)

“FBI finds most terrorism threat reports baselessFri Nov 7, 2008By Randall MikkelsenWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI tracked about 108,000 potential terrorism threats or suspicious incidents from mid-2004 to November 2007, but most were found groundless, a Justice Department review found on Friday.The department's office of inspector general gave the figure in an audit of the FBI's terrorism case-tracking system, called Guardian, launched in 2002 after the September 11 attacks."The FBI determined that the overwhelming majority of the threat information documented in Guardian had no nexus to terrorism. However, as a result of information reported in Guardian the FBI initiated over 600 criminal and terrorism-related investigations from October 2006 to December 2007," the inspector general's report said.The report did not discuss the result of the investigations.FBI policy requires that each threat or suspicious incident reported by the public or other government agencies and law enforcement officers be reviewed to determine whether there is a link to terrorism.The report expressed concern over delays in the development of a related system, called E-Guardian, for sharing terrorism-related information with local law enforcement. It said the automated Guardian system had improved since it was first implemented, and the number of incidents tracked had grown dramatically.FBI spokesman John Miller said the agency had implemented steps to resolve concerns and it accepted recommendations made by the inspector general.(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)”My thoughts:This 600 out of 108000 represent ½ of 1% or .005556 – one of the purposes of Terrorism is to cause disruption! We don’t know what the 600 criminal investigations were about or what the outcomes were. Let’s say three – only three (3) – (.000002%) not anymore were involved the use of vectors (germs) or some simple homemade chemical – even something as simple as to take samples from a decaying carcass – plenty along the roadways and cultured (simple stuff in a HS science classroom or Mr. Wizard Science Kit). Or that they were being supplied by one of the major terrorist groups or nations funding terrorists and could get something exotic*.Now in a city the size of NY or Brooklyn – this culture is used to contaminate vegetables in a super market or even better the warehouses where the food is distributed to the major restaurants. Or someone going from restaurant to restaurant checking on the salad bars before deciding to eat at the place – many old folks like us do this to see if we’ll get our monies worth. Someone with this intent should be creative enough to spray unobserved the contaminate on the salad – especially the high use items – tomatoes – lettuce, etc. One could do multiple restaurants in a short time with several working in concert with others. Areas of Wall Street – and other high profile areas could be targeted – even a football game if one has an insider.Next for additional distribution – any of the grocery stores where high enders – politicians – etc. shop – hitting again the fresh veggies. Anyone doing this would not care much about detection on cameras as they’d be long gone before the results of their efforts would take effect.The idea is cause ‘panic’ or ‘disruption’ – in some cases death or a shutdown of the market place and even better a government. Thus the only difference would be the agent used. Now if this person or group are funded by Iran/China/Al-Qaeda and others who endorse this type of warfare – would have the means and agents to get to the points of distribution.To make one sick: Agent of Choice: Most cases of salmonellosis are caused by food infected with S. enterica, which often infects cattle and poultry, though also other animals such as domestic cats and hamsters[6] have also been shown to be sources of infection to humans. However, investigations of vacuum cleaner bags have shown that households can act as a reservoir of the bacterium; this is more likely if the household has contact with an infection source, for example through members working with cattle or in a veterinary clinic.Raw chicken and goose eggs can harbor S. enterica, initially in the whites of the eggs, although most eggs are not infected. As the egg ages at room temperature, the yolk membrane begins to break down and S. enterica can spread into the yolk. Refrigeration and freezing do not kill all the bacteria, but substantially slow or halt their growth. Pasteurizing and food irradiation are used to kill Salmonella for commercially-produced foodstuffs containing raw eggs such as ice cream. Foods prepared in the home from raw eggs such as mayonnaise, cakes and cookies can spread salmonella if not properly cooked before consumption. See Egg (food).· To Kill or Cause Plague: “The bacteria that cause plague and tularemia (the toxin which carries botulism), and hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) such as Ebola and Marburg. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention think that these agents pose the greatest hazard to public heath, though they may not be the most likely choices for a terrorist attack.·Could terrorist groups use these agents?Not easily. Precisely because they are so deadly and contagious, these microbes are difficult to work with. In order to cause mass casualties, terrorist groups would also need to develop an effective means of dispersing them through the air, which would be difficult without specialized technical assistance. The agents would have to be converted into tiny particles by a specialized sprayer or milled into a very fine powder, then dispersed in an aerosol. But neither specialized sprayers nor milled, “superfine” versions of these agents are easy to come by.Terrorists might resort instead to using an agent to contaminate food or beverage supplies, but this method probably wouldn’t inflict mass casualties. Botulinum toxin might be the best candidate for food or beverage contamination, even though it is killed by thorough cooking.” (Note – one doesn’t cook salads.)The idea of not easily is based on our Western Culture where we value life! However a terrorist has not this value nor concern. One of the main exports of Iraq prior to this last war was – sprays – the agents theoretically could already be in place. Iraq ranked 2nd in the export of Cosmetics and personal care items over the past three years and Iran is ranked 4th (doubling its production in the past 3 years). China doesn’t rank at all – and yet in toothpaste, etc. we’ve seen what they can do.One must remember Saddam never in his fondest dreams thought he could win a war against the US and others. He had adequate time to bury jets – and disburse his supplies of gold, chemicals and biologics. Give the richest dictator in the world nine (9) months to two (2) years to hide – or otherwise distribute what they considered of value in warfare – they could do it. Many of the papers now being uncovered (translated) is proving up on this regardless to whether the media/press or politicians want to believe it or not. One doesn’t bring the Russian Spezna teams to get rid of perfumes. You don’t rinse out tanker trucks with gasoline for carrying only gold. One must apply a bit of common sense.Okay what’s the casualty count of this .000002% success ratio of a real terrorist action? In a make believe exercise of a plague in Denver – the city was shut down within 72 hours and the plague would not have been under any control and actually would’ve spread from the West Coast (Hawaii – Japan) and to the East (NYC – London) within this 72 hours. Once a person becomes infected they then become the ‘vector’ and they contaminate any who they come in contact with through normal contact – coughing – kissing – etc.Thus if the FBI report is going to be used – how will it be used? Not track anymore threats? – Not likely – even a blind fool wouldn’t do that unless they’ve a death wish or worse a destruction wish for man-kind. They should keep following up on what they get – not all horses are zebras – but some zebras are out there.What’s more important is the ability to move these threats through the complicated system of government – making a more viable connecting the dots possible.In the above case – worst case scenario would be the disabling of at least NYC/Brooklyn (one can do the numbers) – and if in the DC area the disabling of the Government for a period of time which cannot be measured until the vector is known.The best case is that people are sick – tie up hospitals and use up resources at a higher than normal rate. This is conditional that there is no rioting – and/or panicking – which are both more likely than not.One can guess that whoever was in bed with Saddam – or Iran and how much they really hate the US and its allies.chuck*Saddam knew defeat was at hand and thus nothing to lose in the dissemination of biologics/chemicals to sleepers, etc. throughout the world. Revenge is part and parcel of Terrorism.

“What to Think?”

cji

11/09/08

Let’s think nothing

we’re not involved

let another worry

watching tv today;

What to think or why

going to the mall

a big game later

not of my concern!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

"Thoughts Provoked" 11/04/08

Thoughts of one provoke thoughts of another: "This might raise the question of how much of each of us is fake, a mirage, mind sets, everyday show time versus legitimate, real, actual. We have created new buzz terms like multi tasking and fake percentages regarding worker productivity and I ask ... where has gotten us?" Thus my thoughts: One cannot fake to Heavenly Father - while men/women think they can in either of two ways - i.e. denying his existence and believing he doesn't care. Others more openly believe they can cheat, lie, misrepresent over half of the Ten Commandments - and still be found guiltless before the bar of Justice. As to how much an individual fake a mirage - our mind sets - etc. we alone know and our own understanding will condemn us - that's a risk not worth doing as those who strive for and maintain hyper-speed plus (i.e. using an almost full data bank of truth) haven't time to do any of those things. We will have to understand that the words of morphology then or now - have been used before in a different spelling but to represent the same things. To be doing many things simultaneously is important - to understand why one strives for this is equally important - and to be doing all things well/good and truthfully is the measure - yet the engagement of simultaneous attention is only valid when it's in the service of others and obedience to the Commandments, Laws and Statutes of Father. The percentages then matter not for these are man's measurements - where 50% or 70% may be passing - for with Father anything less than 100% or higher is not passing. To be obedient in all things - omits nothing. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:9 "For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things." Thus if one wants to use Father's measuring then percentages are non-essential - however if one chooses the world then they might be - if accurate. Worker productivity would be found in again understanding who is their employer and of what work they do - in the world this is an oxymoron - however on the road to Zion - James 1: 22, 25 and 27 would seem to indicate the standard. "Groundbreaking study finds teens who frequently watch TV shows with sexual content are twice as likely to get pregnant,"* this is what men spend their time working on - which is 'dumb' as anyone with half a isotope of a thought would know and understand this - Babylon is corrupted and corruption encapsulated in what the world thinks is important. Either one is on Zion's road or Babylon's - have said this over and over - and still watch and hear many thinking they're on the one and the other at the same time - and this cannot be - there is no lesser of two evils - there are not three choices - there's either Father's way - or the other - no in-betweens. We must choose as we continue to increase the speed of our minds and find hyper speed and beyond. c/ork * http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,446085,00.html “Thoughts Provoked” cji 11/04/08 Gathering speed almost breathless finding new paths entering new thoughts yet ever knowing the more we know the less we find to know when thoughts found when thoughts provoked leading in new patterns and increasing speed even more and more ever and ever forever! Copyright © 2008 – cji

"Ponderings of Hyper Speed Plus" 11/02/08

In the adventures of reading one notes that Einstein could be working on two problems or things simultaneously this is then followed by somewhat amazement of the writer. This has puzzled me into wondering or pondering why it should be difficult to be multi-tasking in multiple areas at any one moment. Thinking as reported by Nigel Calder, “Two of the most self-evident characteristics of the conscious mind (are that) … the mind attends to thing at a time, (The Mind of Man, 1970, p.25).” Again my mind asks, “Why?” And then in common sense maybe to the layman, “How?”

First over the course of a plethora of reading is becomes apparent in the process of either of the two events above – Einstein’ ability and Calder’s findings – that speed is the most likely venue to allow all both to occur without violating either as a truth! The usage of the mind can be developed and adapted to one’s personal use – it has to as we are the result of our minds ability to function. Without the mind functioning we’d all be virtual zombies or vegetables enclosed in a mortal body. Therefore we must be able to control our own brains (minds) – or else someone else will.

First in Einstein’s case he thought visually – he would see things and then translate them into the ideas and writings required to communicate with others – in his case he always tried to uncomplicated things throughout his life when in the role of a teacher or writing. When acting the role of the ‘adversary’ (as in his jousting with Quantum Theory) he deliberately created difficult situations. However the most apparent relationship of his being able to accomplish two things at the same time are the instances of him playing the violin and working out solutions to previous unsolved problems. Again this is not unusual for a distraction from a puzzling problem – especially one which relaxes the ‘problem solver part of our mind’ creates an open air for freedom of illusions and illustrations to influx into the maze and sees the way to pass freely through. Einstein did this with his violin or walks in the mountains and other venues which he knew worked for him.

Another great scientist Edison did this while taking day time naps with his note pad close at hand. I’m sure if we enquired deeply into the lives of we’d find similar findings of one’s ability to solve one thought while working on others. Paul J. Meyer called this the talent of concentration or “The ability to work on many jobs, assignments, adventurers at one time, while always bringing things to closure. If they get stuck needing a part, information, assistance, they are able to go on to something else, until they get whatever it is they need to complete the other. They also tie in with moments above in that when they run errands they lay out a course to accomplish several things sequentially.” We all know many people who always seem busy but don’t seem to be accomplishing anything – this is the opposite to not only be busily engaged but to be actively accomplishing lots at the same time.

When one says that Einstein thought visually how would that differ in how we think? There’s a great rule, “If the mind cannot visualize something – it cannot achieve it.” Therefore to some degree we all can or should be able to visualize in our minds. Now the mind is a perfect camera when one has the gift of ‘sight’ – for anything a person sees they’ll remember forever – which is also why we need to be careful what items we choose to see. When one is setting tangible goals the use of photographs will speed the accomplishment and more realistic the goal. Is there then a reason Einstein’s ability to think in visualizations varies from ours? If there is it would be in what he put into his mind along the way as compared to what we’ve put into ours. This only makes sense in that what we read, watch, partake in – would then lead to what we know or have ideas about. If one only studies law and nothing else – reads nothing else – he/she should be a technical expert on the law – but not much else. The same could be true of a musician – or a scientist. It would be equally true of the person who only read fiction and nothing else. Then to continue this train of thought it would be true of those who spend hours in front of a TV full of ‘soaps’ and or someone who play video games all day long. Currently the thinking is that most of the application of learning is geared to successful completion for one to comprehend and operate at the reading and writing level of a fifth grader (and depending on the measure of a fifth grader this could now be even lower).

Whichever one chooses to be a lawyer, scientist, soap watcher or video game player they’ve restricted their visualizations of the world to just their realms and to none other. This then in turn restricts them to what they think about or how they live in the real world of everyday things. For some there is no relationship with anything outside of their ‘preconceived’ worlds. They don’t want to be bothered with information or facts or anything which would distract them from their comfort zones. This severely cripples the mind and it’s abilities to turn over information – to think – to reason – to commutate and function at a higher and higher level or allowing the mind to grow and blossom. They’ve got their minds made up and that’s final. A good case could be the way one looks at religion – truth – information – politics and other dividing grounds for contention and avoidance.

Einstein chose never to be isolated into one world – or one isolated area – he allowed his mind to blossom into multiple areas of life – and interests. When he was a child (till age 15) he was a veracious reader. He devoured books on technical and theoretical areas of science, space and mathematics. He read of the Philosophers most especially Kant. He worked though his course material for school usually two years ahead of his peers. Granted he did not go out and play baseball or involve himself in other normal areas of childhood. He was a very serious child! And also a very talented one – but not the exception to the rule – but a rule which could and was not isolated to him alone.

Anyone could do the same things Einstein did – but they haven’t! The same is true of us today – we could all do as he did – but most of us haven’t. However it would be safe to say also that most of us don’t spend the day watching the soaps or playing video games. Yet in both extremes some do! The distractions today are more and more prevalent to all – regardless of age. Thus it comes to what we choose to do! And the excuse for children is just that after the age of eight which is the age of accountability In the knowing right from wrong and good from bad.

Maybe too much discussion but let’s now look at what Calder said about the brain/mind and attending to one thing at a time. In trying to visualize this one must take a camera at normal speed watching an intersection in rush hour traffic and filming this intersection for ten minutes. After doing this we can then watch it at three varying speeds; slow motion, normal or hyper fast. Depending on which we choose to watch – will determine on what we will see. In any event our mind will digest all three speeds comprehending some of the material at all three modes.

When Calder speaks of one thing at time he doesn’t specify the time element involved for the word attending. How does this apply to us or to anybody? Being free hear to give my opinion – to me the word attending is reflective of speeding up the film taken at the intersection to an area of infinity and beyond to equate this moment referred to when attending for some. For others it could be taking the slowest mode possible and then making it slower yet to equate this same moment. Others will simply watch the film and totally ignore what they see and any application to attending or to a moment within their brain/mind.

Herbert Khaury was one of these who saw time in hyper-space as a child he could remember most everything presented to him a myriad of spectrums – and this he carried with him throughout his life. When he would share his findings or thoughts with others they’d mostly laugh him off. He foresaw the space program and much more while being able to give baseball stats with equal rapidity. Endowed with a wonderful basket of talents – he was not accepted – and therefore became a ‘buffoon’ to the public for acceptance while always maintaining in his personal life a love of all things. While performing in Prince Albert Hall before the Royal Family – he reverted to his natural talents and wowed the audience as never before.

The use of Mr. Khaury above has a purpose for many of those who’s brain/mind work in hyper-space are usually ostracized from the norm in school – social environments and even in their own homes. While on the opposite of the spectrum those who operate at slow motion in slower motion are the class clowns – bullies – looked down upon and have not’s which form into likeminded cliques. Those who go through life at normal speed are those who gain popularity – find favor with the teachers - and the most likely to become King or Queen of the class Dances and/or sports heroes. This last group represents the norm and most would fall somewhere within their sphere on the normal bell curve. Unfortunately those in slow-motion and slower are still within the normal aspect of the bell curve while those at hyper-speed don’t even relate to the bell curve.

While Dr. Calder is correct – as there’s no supporting evidence to the contrary – that the mind attends to one thing at a moment – I’m not sure whether he would agree with my description above – but there’s madness in my thinking. First one can (as I’ve said above) train their mind/brain to become more and more functional – and to take it from slow motion and slower to regular speed and then into hyper-speed.

We must clarify that none of this relates to what can earn in the terms of men or the world – but it relates directly to what we can become and are capable to become in relationship to Heavenly Father and his Son our Savior. Why then is this the relationship we must affirm with? In the Scriptures we can read, “But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!” (2 Nephi 9:27); “Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.” (Mormon 9:28); “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (Luke 12:27); and “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118-119).

We must affirm with this because we’re commanded to do so! But how do we do this and what does it mean? We do it by obeying what we’ve been commanded to – read, study, prepare, organize and learn what’s eternal and forever. Great! How does this relate to pondering about Einstein and Calder and Edison and whoever Herbert is? How does this relate to visual thinking – or thinking of lots of things – or of attending to one thing at a moment and as said above at hyper speed beyond infinity?

Good questions since as (Dr. Nibley liked to say in an essay or lecture he also asked the questions) – we’ll address them one by one.

1. How to do this: One for a mind to operate at hyper speed it needs a great data base! This means lots and lots of good – or even the best material available and one must remember this material might be slightly different for each person.
2. What does it mean: The mind/brain can only operate to the speed of the available material to reference. The brain needs data – the more data the faster it can go – the less data the slower it has to go – the time we’ll see is irrelevant. The mind operates so fast no one can measure it – thus the difference between those operating in slow motion – slower and those operating in hyper speed times infinity cannot be differentiated. What is able to discern is the data which the information the answer or understanding is pulled from.
3. Einstein, Calder and Herbert – fed data into their mind/brain and were able to access with greater discernment information which could and can help a greater number of people with relative ease of operations. They had – have put (Dr. Calder is still alive) information needful to accomplish not only their goals but to be able to generate solutions for others in mankind and also to generate questions and problems for others to discover and unravel.
4. Visual thinking allows us to understand who we are – why we’re here and where we’re going. Society and mankind has worked its hardest at making this non-important – impressing on as many as they can the importance of making money – social acceptance – power and being happy. By capturing the mind’s camera and force feeding their pre-scripted films seen on TV in the Movies, gross advertisements, dime store novels and scintillating magazines – what you see is not what will answer – who you are – why you’re here and where you’re going.
5. Thinking of lots of things – requires having lots of things to ponder or think about – with good references – good examples and excellent memory. Preparing oneself requires a balance of materials – but with the overall goals of the Celestial Kingdom setting the course outline. If one only has minimal material to choose from then their options are also limited. With limited options one puts themselves at the mercy of others who will take control. This leads to bullies – cliques – gangs – class clowns – kings/queens at dances – but seldom leads to the Celestial Kingdom – the worldly think will not and cannot ever lead to the Celestial.
6. Hyper speed accelerated to infinity and beyond – which is where we need to be striving for on a moment to moment basis – being found attentive to that’s what important for our salvation in the Celestial Realms. When one has a wonderful data base to draw from – the promptings of the Spirit can attend us moment to moment – we can easily discern right from wrong – good from bad and most importantly we don’t have to get into meaningless discussion on why we believe what we believe and or be tempted by the contention and confusion of the world.

Pondering all of this is important – many times others will ask why someone hears but doesn’t understand – sees but doesn’t see anything at all – feels but is only cold – and so on wherein we know it’s often a one-sided conversation with some who act the part of a wall or a chair.

Sir Winston Churchill used to give people between 10-30 seconds of his time – if after this limitation he’d determined they were not as smart or smarter than him he would dismiss them – either figuratively or actually. Many times when he felt no one in the room was his equal he would dominate the conversation for the duration of the dinner or whatever event was requiring his attendance. In affairs of State he would give the appropriate deference to those for the purposes of State. And as Einstein and others he had no clue sometimes as to how to get from a to b on a street car or train. His time was valuable to him and he used as he best thought for himself and his nation. Thus he had little time for things apart from these two pursuits. Were his goals Celestial – we do not know and cannot judge – did he operate at hyper speed plus – resoundingly yes – do we is the question we must each answer.

When we’ve been admonished to read and prepare for a class – do we? When we’ve been asked to give a presentation – do we prepare to meet the design of the presentation or do we simply primp ourselves to be presented? Can we without interruption of train of thought or without confusion clarify important doctrines so that a child can understand? If we’ve answered these questions in less than the appropriate way – we need to change – for we’re not operating at hyper speed plus – and working for the goals explained as Celestial.

Let’s be clear – we’re all at different points of progression – and development – but what are we doing to be better and better and faster and faster (not where the world gives recognition) but where we help others to grow and achieve – for we’re all equal in the eyes of the Lord – and we’re all his children – and we all need to return together if possible – not leaving any behind because we could bring them along. Some will choose to be left behind – dwelling in the worldly and deciding not to get up to the speed of the train – which has already long left the station. Where much is given – much is expected!

“For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation” Doctrine and Covenants 82:3).

We indeed must and will be accountable as to where we decided to dwell in our minds – maybe a softer tone is needed – as I ponder, “Quickly I will obey.”

“Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same,” Doctrine and Covenants 132:3).

“A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day,” (Deuteronomy 11:27).

May we each be found pondering and doing – helping lift one another – caring and sharing what we are able – nothing held back – even that what sometimes feels or sounds harsh – if it but lead each of back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and our Eternal Family forever and ever with Him and His Son. In the name of Jesus Christ amen – c/ork

“Hyper Speed Plus”

cji
11/02/08

An engine running
in slow motion stalling
failing to gain the hill
dwelling in valleys
mountains never tried;

An engine running
smoothly and grand
taking hills and valleys
but shifting laboring
in mountains tired;

An engine running
hyper speed plus
taking flight beyond
goals clearly seen
all things Celestial!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

"What is the Lamp"

Continuing the discussion of the oil and the lamp – what is the lamp? What is the vessel which we need to carry our oil or water? It’s the mortal body – it contains the water which in turn gives us each life in a mortal sense of the word. Without a mortal body we would need no water – i.e. the Savior appeared to the Apostles and all others after the resurrection with a body of flesh and bone and without blood! When Captain Cook was killed in the Pacific Islands it was because when he fell and cut himself he bled and the legends and oral lore (and written records) allowed those living there to know the Great God did not bleed – indeed as he’d done with other he’d allowed them to touch him and place their hands in the holes of the nails and the spear thrust in his side. One can then see the relationship in the parable of the ten virgins* and to our day – the oil = water; the lamp (or vessel) = body! However what then gives the light – we know that the lamp’s purpose was to provide light – even today a lamp will provide light with a bulb and a source of energy. Therefore where or what gives off our light if it be not the soul. This spirit which we knew in the preexistence and covered with the clay of mortality – we call our lamp.

Cased within we’ve what we always have been and will be – we either can put forth light or we cannot. Light is most often referenced to truth and intelligence – the ability to lift others to further life giving knowledge – and to allow us to see clearly the Iron Rod and hold fast to it. Our lamp is trimmed or not by our obedience – and is most often dimmed by poor maintenance or poor choices. The better the choice – the more obedient – the fullness of our light will shine forth – so that all can see and we cannot then hide under a basket or out of sight. Often times the light our lamp produces is found offensive to those who cannot tolerate hard Gospel truths – and thus our lamps get struck and bent and hurt – but yet our light will only go out of us upon our death and at the bar of judgment if we’re true and faithful in all things and endure to the end. Never-the-less we’ve the choice – the same as the virgins – we can keep our lamps lit and full of oil (water) and perform as Father would have us do – or we cannot. Many feel they can do both – be unspotted from the world – yet be part and parcel of the worldly – walking on both roads. What is failed to be understood when on the worldly road we burn our fuel and dim our light – our need for water increases beyond our ability of our resources to provide. Our food storage and especially our water storage get put off for another day and then another. We replace the food storage with other ‘things’ with manmade excuses to fit our needs and then when the bridegroom calls we go to the market place while the wise go to the Lord. Man cannot ever give us what the Lord can – it may seem appealing and that he can satisfy our needs – but it’s only for the moment. The water in our storage and the food in our storage is for more than the moment – and when at some time when we’re in isolations due to Chemical or Biological Warfare or some other means – when the marketplace is closed off – and the home is our only place to be – we then will know with sureness of being obedient to the Lord or to the wiles of men.

The lamp tells many of where we are – but only on the outside – on the surface – most of us do not have the lamps of the movie stars or those who pander to the artificial – yet they will be more of the parents who’ve raised children – borne children – worked hard and endured the persecutions of men who desire our souls for their master and their dominion – while we’ve resisted. When we’ve had so many hurricane warnings – some choose to stay in their homes which are in flood zones because they’ve heard the warnings before – and cannot be found after the storm no one will be saying to them “I told you so!” all that will be said is amen! What story our lamp tells is best read by our loved ones and the Lord. Some of us are dumpy (smile) but yet hopefully we’ve bright shining lights – and that all may be as the five wise virgins – caring for the lamp – having storage as we’ve been directed and commanded – in the movie “Mountain of the Lord” young Michael is being told by the Prophet what they’re going to do in regards to the railroad – and he’s contesting a bit – when his friend and mentor – gently rebukes him, “Michael this is a Prophet of God and this is what we’re going to do!” Can we sustain a Prophet of God and not be found in full obedience – I think not – and only if we are will our lamp put forth wonderful light then – now and forever! c/ork


“What is the Lamp?”

cji
11/01/08

What is the vessel
what protects each
wherein is this life
called mortality;

Where is the soul
where found light
showing forth truth
showing forth each;

Found the body now
mortal and frail to be
in service somehow
our lamp/vessel to be!
Copyright © 2008 – cji

"What is the Oil"

When one thinks of the parable of the Ten Virgins* – five who were wise and five who were not the main item they were missing was the oil. They each had lamps and all were in working order. And within the parable almost anyone alive at the time could easily understand the need for oil in a lamp – and also knowing what it meant to trim one’s lamp at the coming of the bride groom. All ten took their lamps – five had oil and five had not! The way it reads is that – five took no oil with them – did this mean they left it behind – mostly it refers that they didn’t have it when they needed it. I’ve often felt about this might be a Temple Recommend – and I’ve also tried to relate it to other things as they relate to our day. However even a Temple Recommend if one has one and forgets it – can through proper authority have it confirmed prior to entering the Temple and they would still be able to enter. Thus my quandary was the oil – and finally in my thinking I related it to water! Water is a term used in many parables within the teachings of the Savior. First without water one cannot live in a mortal body. Water is a fluid item and one can easily see a relationship to the oil of the Old and New Testaments and Book of Mormon. In those days it was a clear substance which could burn when in a controlled environment of a lamp or a vessel. Not all lamps had wicks – but simply were in a hollowed metal dish and the oil itself was lit – but this cannot be what the Savior was referring to as to be able to trim – one has to be able to control the flow of the oil or the size of the flame. Second water is necessary to the strength of an individual – on short rations we know that one’s strength is not as good as when on full rations and water being the most important of the rations. When referring to the oil the Savior was referring to refined oil or oil outside of its original form within either the scale or any other source. Impure water will be harmful to a person who partakes of it – so one can gather this cannot be just any water – but pure water – unspotted from the world.

Thus today we need to have water – one can buy it at a store – get it from a well – or a stream, river, pond or lake. One can even get water from an ocean - but cannot live on ocean water in a mortal form without massive distillation and purification. This might also be said of some of the other sources of water mentioned on our list. If one contaminates the drinking water of a town, village, city or a nation – then one will only have the water supply they’ve already set aside. One must recognize even some of that water set aside will only be potable water good for washing, cooking, rinsing but not for drinking. The body without water cannot live in mortality! You might have some – even hoard some – but without using and drinking it you will die!

In the parable one recognizes without the oil – even new purchased oil – the Lord or bridegroom knew not the five unwise virgins – one could think of this as a deathbed sentence. Called before the bar of justice – some who’d lived the commandments – kept themselves unspotted from the world – and had sufficient oil for light to go unto the bridegroom or the Lord – were found acceptable and welcomed. While those who’d lived the commandments – kept themselves unspotted from the world – but did not have sufficient light were turned back into the night. This presentation is much too short to go into all of the ramifications – but to keep it short and concise – the five unwise virgins did not have an inner light within their soul and not sufficient water to keep their mortal body alive and therefore their souls departed the dead body when being called to the bridegroom. Their lamps were empty! Many of the parables found in the scriptures readily discuss those who call unto some or many in the Lord’s name in the end are unknown to Him – why because even though they lived to the rules of men they did not live to the Commandments of God!

It is through obedience that we maintain food storage and a sufficient supply of fresh drinking water. Yes over time we rotate and replace this water – we may with the invention of new methods have ways to purify water to make its shelve life longer – but we first have to be obedient in all things – even the small things – not seen unto the world or of men – but only within our own homes. The oil in this thinking then relates well to the water in our food and home storage – it’s needful – necessary and we’ve been spoken to by a Prophet of God to have it! (Actually many Prophets of God have told us to do this and to do it now!)


“What is the Oil?”

cji
11/01/08

Clear and ever pure
virgin one might say
understood and sure
none able to delay;

Water in our storage
clean and ever pure
no longer able to forage
understood and sure;

Our life’s blood need
our souls to refresh
commandments to heed
within our mortal flesh!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

*Matthew 25: Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.
1 aThen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten bvirgins, which took their clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all aslumbered and bslept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the abridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their alamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps aare gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were aready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was bshut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I aknow you not.
13 aWatch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Oil in Our Lamps (if you read nothing else that I send - please read this) chuck

“Oil in Our Lamps”

cji
10/31/08

So often to hear
so little understood
yet we know it’s us
spoken to and of;

Oil in our lamps
what does it mean
how does it apply
to us of this today;

Thoughts to wonder
unspotted need to be
similar to a virgin
in this world to live;

Which many are found
living righteously now
then what is the oil
and what are our lamps?

For years I’ve pondered this scripture – and over and over I’ve linked it with works of service – helping others – doing good – but this is only but a part and I’ve always been left thinking there is more! We’ve been warned for years now of having a year’s supply of home storage – everything needful to take care of each member of our family! Even here over the years we share with others in need as it arises for two very good reasons – one is shelf life and turnover of needs. Yet we need to be doing this for a reason – if there’s a major war – or a flood – or an natural disaster most will be destroyed. If there’s a depression of this magnitude the food will be used up and with little left at the end of a year or even sooner when sharing with others (which we would do). Thus it has to be something which would cause isolation of a kind not seen in the US in decades if not longer. An epidemic where none can share or mix with others until it’s over. There’s several kinds of this which could happen – with a major one called a pandemic which almost all are familiar. Yet even this isn’t enough – for some parts of the nation might be hit and yet others might not – what would affect all parts of a nation? At my backdoor has been part of the answer all of my adult life. I’ve studied, taught and evaluated Chemical and Biological Weapons – man-made and lethal where many may be left dead but more frequently the majority will be quarantined to protect them and others. This will mean no one will be going out – for easy preparations can defeat most types of Chemical or Biological Weapons and time is the greatest enemy to both which can be man disseminated. Cleanliness and isolation thus would protect the majority of the population, i.e. not going outside one’s home – or if doing so for only immediate areas around one’s own home. The streets would be vacant – the stores closed and only those with adequate food storage, water and immediate needs of medications, etc. would survive in relative security. Others will survive but the trial will be much more difficult – risks will be taken to get to the basic essentials – chaos will exist in major urban areas and in the more rural areas law enforcement should be adequate to maintain any short term lock down – if this be a number of days or weeks. Once it gets into months it’ll be more difficult but months is not a term associated with Chemical or Biological Weapons for the most part that can be man delivered.

Three things will occur – first it will be accomplished with little or no notification thus with on warning it’ll have a greater chance of spreading quickly in the immediate strike areas. Second it’ll most likely occur during a peek time of the day when traffic congestion will be heaviest – which would mean Noon on the Eastern Seaboard of the US – this would affect the early flights – and spread across the US in major Urban areas. This does not mean that rural America won’t be included – but most likely it’ll be an airborne for the rural areas – while in the major urban areas airborne will be only one of the means. The water supply – cluster bombs – timed devices in heavy traffic areas and or as suggested by Tom Clancy in trade shows around the nation with a slow reaction vector or chemical. Lastly, it will cause a panic which will last for several hours, days or weeks (which event would be the most disastrous). It depends on how quickly there’s a recognition of the problem and restrictions on travel and movement are put into place. Or how quickly one person can be isolated from another in a controlled manner.

The above has taken time to finally understand the parable of the five wise virgin and the five who were unwise. All were virgins – all had access equally to the oil referred to – it could be purchased in the market place – and the five unwise virgins had the funds to do so. Acts of service can be neither purchased nor sold – they would not be found in the market place. Only supplies are found in the market place – items one can buy or sell. One can then use or store!

Our lamps are our homes and the oil is our ‘food storage’ – we’ve been both warned – over and over – and it makes real sense. c/ork
Copyright © 2008 – cji

“Rules Not Exceptions!” 10/22/08 (with talk by President Boyd K. Packer)

“Rules Not Exceptions!”

cji
10/22/08

Let us be an example
of the rule only true
others can be exceptions
their risk is their own
we’ve ourselves first
worthy to be found
and our families too
in righteousness bound
rules not exceptions
keep one unspotted
virtuous and clean
we then should live
rules not exceptions!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

What follows is a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer in 2006:

Children of God
PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
This address was given at the BYU Women’s Conference, May 5, 2006.
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For further information write:
Conferences & Workshops
352 Harman Continuing Education Building
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(801) 422-3559
E-mail: conferences@byu.edu
Home page: http://womensconference.byu.edu/
Beloved sisters, the very sight of you and the influence you have is overpowering.
The Twelve Apostles are called to “set in order” (D&C 107:58) and “regulate all the affairs of the [Church] in all nations” (D&C 107:33) under the direction of the First Presidency. That is not always easy to do.
I feel much as King Benjamin must have felt when he saw dangers among the people and said, “[I came not] to trifle with . . . words” (Mosiah 2:9). It can be very uncomfortable when we see thickening clouds and feel responsible to protect our families.
Nephi said, “I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, . . . for my soul delighteth in plainness” (2 Nephi 31:2–3).
And Jacob said, “Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord” (Jacob 1:17). I too made that same preparation, as best I could, and obtained my direction from the same source. 2 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jacob and Joseph “had been consecrated priests and teachers of [the] people” (Jacob 1:18; see also 2 Nephi 5:26). They expressed concern for “the hearts of [the] tender wives” (Jacob 2:35) and for the children.
Whenever we speak of home and family and motherhood, we fear we might wound the tender hearts of those who may never marry or those whose marriages have failed. There are those who are greatly disappointed with their children. There are heartbreaking gender problems, untimely deaths, abortion, abuse, pornography, and, in addition, an endless list of things which almost dissuade us from speaking with the plainness that the scripture commands us to do.
I return, as I have on countless occasions, to the inspired words of a Relief Society president. I will ever be grateful to Sister Alberta Baker. A convert of the Church, she was mission Relief Society president when I was mission president in New England. She was a very small woman and walked with a very pronounced limp from childhood polio.
We had sixty Relief Societies scattered across the mission. Some of them were off-course and some of them were little more than sewing circles and a few had lost their way entirely. Sister Belle Spafford, president of the general Relief Society, provided some simple guidelines that could be followed.
We called the Relief Society leaders together in the chapel at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Vermont. I asked Sister Baker to explain the changes we were asking them to make. She gently invited the sisters to conform more closely to the patterns set for the Relief Society.
One sister stood and said defiantly, “That doesn’t fit us. We’re an exception!” She repeated with more emphasis, “We are an exception!”
It was a very tense moment, something of a crisis. Sister Baker turned to me for help. I was not interested in facing a fierce woman, so I motioned for her to proceed. Then came the revelation!
With gentle firmness, she said: “Dear sister, we’d like not to take care of the exception first. We will take care of the rule first, and then we will see to the exception.” She continued to explain what a Relief Society should be.
Later I told her I would be quoting her all over the world. And so I have. In many challenging moments, some very tense, I have quoted the revelation that came to that sweet, little Relief Society president.
Today I will speak of the rules first and later consider the exceptions.
I see in the tender hearts of women transcendent power. Listen to these words written by William Ross Wallace more than 125 years ago. They speak of you, and I agree with what they say:
Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place; 3 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From the souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.1
That is far more than just a poetic compliment. Later I will speak of an uncertain future in which mothers will be our protection.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr. described a pioneer family. Always last into camp at night, the wife was about to be a mother, the husband taking such care as he could to ease the jolting of the wagon. Then the baby came:
“Morning came when from out that last wagon floated the la-la of the newborn babe, and mother love made a shrine, and Father bowed in reverence before it. But the train must move on. So out into the dust and dirt the last wagon moved again, swaying and jolting, while Mother eased as best she could each pain-giving jolt so no harm might be done her, that she might be strong to feed the little one, bone of 4 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
her bone, flesh of her flesh. Who will dare to say that angels did not cluster round and guard her and ease her rude bed, for she had given another choice spirit its mortal body that it might work out its God-given destiny?”2
The rules and principles are in the scriptures. The revelations make it very clear that mankind is the offspring of Heavenly Parents. We have in God our Father and a Heavenly Mother the pattern of our parentage.
After being away four years, I came home from World War II and wanted, even yearned, to be married. In the years during the war, I became mature enough to realize that rather than making a list of specifications by which to measure a future companion, I should concentrate on what I myself must do. How could I be worthy of and able to fulfill the dreams of one with enduring values centered in home and family who would want to be my companion?
After more than fifty years, I am still trying to be worthy of her and good to her.
We were in school and had little material things to offer one another. We had our love and our faith and a determination to live the principles of the gospel—all of them, the difficult ones as well as the easy ones. We planned our life together and determined that we would accept each child born to us.
I remember clearly this incident: We had three small children. I had a very modest income. The bishop’s wife, who was close to Donna’s family (Donna’s father was a counselor to the bishop), came to see her mother and said, “I’ve cried all morning. I heard that Donna is expecting again.” We would not trade the child that came (it was our first girl) or the six that followed after, for anything you can imagine.
Once we said: “Perhaps if we plant a tree each time a child is born and pass that tradition to the coming generations, we may live in a small forest.”
Now fifty-eight years later, it has come to pass in our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who now number one short of 100. We live in a house that the real estate agents describe as old, sheltered under the trees at the end of a lane that reminds you of a forest.
I pay tribute to my wife. Now, I am bound to tell the truth. (I am on Church property!) I have without hesitation described her as being perfect. And so she is! She has borne each of our ten children; each is a child of God. And now they and their partners to whom they are sealed, and the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that have come, all honor her.
We got by during difficult years because my wife, in matters of food and clothing and shelter, was able to make something good and usable out of very little—sometimes out of almost nothing at all.
We are all children of God. It is just as simple as that! We are, in fact, children of God.
Some years ago, I returned home to find our little children were waiting in the driveway. They had discovered a newly hatched batch of chicks under the manger 5 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
in the barn. When they reached for them, the mother hen, as mothers do, protected her brood. So they had come for reinforcements.
I soon gathered a handful of little chicks for them to see and to touch. There were black ones and yellow ones and brown ones and gray ones.
As our little girl held one of them, I said in a teasing way, “That little chick will make a nice watchdog when it grows up, won’t it?” She looked at me quizzically, as if I didn’t know much. So I changed my approach: “It won’t be a watchdog, will it?”
She shook her head, “No, Daddy.”
Then I added, “It will be a nice riding horse.”
She wrinkled up her nose and gave me that “Oh, Dad!” look, for even a four-year-old knows that a chick will not be a dog or a horse or even a turkey; it will be a chicken. It will follow the pattern of its parentage. She knew that without having had a lesson or a lecture or a course in genetics.
No lesson is more manifest in nature than that all living things do as the Lord commanded them in the Creation. They reproduce after their own kind (see Moses 2:12, 24–25). They follow the pattern of their parentage. Everyone knows that. Every four-year-old knows that! A bird will not become an animal nor a fish. A mammal will not beget a reptile, nor “do men gather . . . figs of thistles” (Matthew 7:16).
In all that you do as women, do not forget that we are all children of God. If you get that doctrine in place, with that rule established, it will serve you well in times when you are confronted with those who equate humankind with animals.
I had another lesson from a child. Two of our little boys were wrestling on the rug. They had reached that pitch—you know the one—where laughter turns to tears and play becomes strife. (I see you do know!) I worked a foot gently between them and lifted the older boy (then just four years of age) to a sitting position on the rug, saying, “Hey there, you monkey! You had better settle down.”
He folded his little arms and looked at me with surprising seriousness. His little-boy feelings had been hurt, and he protested, “I not a monkey, Daddy. I a person!”
It is just that simple! I thought how deeply I loved him, how much I wanted him to be “a person,” one of eternal worth, for “children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Each is a child of God. He is not a monkey; neither were his ancestors.
I have often thought that much of what I know that is most worth knowing I have learned from our children.
In the very beginning, God created both man and woman. He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18; Moses 3:18; Abraham 5:14) and “they twain shall be one flesh” (Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:8; D&C 49:16).
Our destiny is so established that man can only find complete fulfillment and fill the divine purpose for his creation with a woman to whom he is legally and lawfully
married. The union of man and woman begets babies that are conceived and cross that frail footpath into mortality. 6 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This divine pattern was planned and the gospel designed from “before the world was” (D&C 49:17). The plan provides for us to come to the world into a mortal body. It is “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). We did not design it. If we follow the pattern, happiness and joy will follow. The gospel and the moral standards are set to prevent us from straying into unworthy or unnatural behavior that will result in disappointment and unhappiness.
The virtue of tolerance has been distorted and elevated to a position of such prominence as to be thought equal to and even valued more than morality. It is one thing to be tolerant, even forgiving of individual conduct. It is quite another to collectively legislate and legalize to protect immoral conduct that can weaken, even destroy the family.
There is a dangerous trap when tolerance is exaggerated to protect the rights of those whose conduct endangers the family and injures the rights of the more part of the people. We are getting dangerously close to the condition described by the prophet Mosiah, who warned:
“Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
“And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land” (Mosiah 29:26–27).
Tolerance can be a dangerous trap.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said to the first Relief Society, “There must be decision of character, aside from sympathy.”3
It suits the purpose of the Almighty to let it be that some will not have a marriage or find it broken through death or mischief. Some have great difficulty having any children, and some will not have children of their own—that is, it will not happen in mortal life. But in the eternal scheme of things, it will happen as surely as the commandments are kept. Those yearnings unfulfilled in mortality will be filled to overflowing in the life beyond where there is eternal love and eternal increase.
The Lord has spoken to His servants, and they have framed “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”:
“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. 7 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed [not to be redefined or rearranged]. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”4
These lines from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to me have taken on the stature of scripture.
There is another dangerous trend as mothers, sometimes beyond their control, are being drawn out of the home. What could a mother possibly bring into the home that can equal her being at home with the children while they grow and mature?
We may learn from events of the future that “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
Recently there was printed in an international publication an article under the strange title of “Babies Win Wars.”5 It chronicled several centuries of the history of countries that lost population. When they had difficulty in sustaining their population and themselves, they became vulnerable to invasion and occupation.
Now the birthrate is declining in every country in the world. In order for a nation’s population to remain stable, the birthrate must be just over two children per woman of childbearing years.
In more than thirty countries in Europe, the birthrate is below the replacement rate. In several, it is hovering barely above half that replacement rate. The population of some countries is declining at an alarming rate.
The United States is barely above the replacement rate. Only because of immigration and the higher birthrate among the Hispanic people do we maintain our population.
All East Asian countries are currently below the replacement rate.
Latin America has witnessed a dramatic decline in birthrate in the past thirty years.
Virtually every social security and medical system in the developed world is facing bankruptcy. An aging population can neither work to sustain the people nor fight to protect them.
That trend is seen in the Church. Worldwide, the birthrate among members married in the temple is notably higher than in the world, but this rate too has been 8 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
declining. In one European country with a sizeable population of Church members, for example, the birthrate among temple-married members, although higher than the national average, is below the replacement rate. Worldwide, the birthrate of Church members is only slightly higher than the world at large.
Like the rest of the population, members of the Church must suffer the consequences of these trends. We face a particular set of issues because the pool from which missionaries are drawn is in steady decline.
The First Presidency has written, “Marriage is ordained of God, and the paramount purpose of this sacred principle is to bring into the world immortal spirits to be reared in health and nobility of character, to fill the measure of their mortal existence.”6
Mankind has gotten into an almost impossible predicament. In the ordinary home and the ordinary family, in almost every conceivable way, the destroyer leads humanity carefully away from the source of all happiness. The prophecy is now being fulfilled of wars and rumors of wars and plagues and pestilence (see Matthew 24:3–8).
Teach the children the plan of salvation, the sacredness of the body, the supernal nature of the power to give life. Mothers, guide them, warn them against misusing those sacred powers in your gentle way. The future of the family depends on how those powers are protected.
The devil has no body. He and his angels try to possess the bodies of mankind.
When the sacred power to give life is used immorally, unnaturally, or in perversion, one stands in jeopardy of failing the test of mortality. Even then, through true repentance, the mercy of the Holy One has power to reclaim and to heal.
“The hand that rocks the cradle [does rule] the world.”
“The plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ” (Alma 22:13), was unfolded in the Creation. In the very beginning, man was created, and because “it is not good that the man should be alone,” the Lord created a wife, “an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). In the scriptures, the word meet means equal. Man and woman are separate but equal, complementary to one another. Both the equal and the separate natures are essential to the onrolling of the great plan of happiness.
Do not envy a man his manhood or his priesthood. Foster and encourage, in every way you can, his role and the role of your sons in the destiny ordained for them.
To women is given a most supernal part of the plan of redemption. “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women” (Moses 4:26). Foster in yourself and in your daughters the exalted role of the woman, the incomparable gift of creation that attends motherhood.
The man was given to provide and protect; the woman was given to make it all worthwhile. 9 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.