2024-03-24 23:34
It might be tiring to be reminded again and again the wonderful resource of God that we have in the Book of Mormon! There is more to learn from it.Ether 2:7-87 And the Lord would not s… Read More
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A Curious Instrument Blog
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Get a totally different and somewhat unrestrained perspective from a priest of both the old and new covenants, a naive philosophical recluse, a freelance skinflint and home economist, and an ascetically devoted latter-day saint, all living fitfully in one mind and obsessed with finding truth and meaning in a sometimes shallow, hostile and increasingly senseless world.
2024-03-02 17:42
Many people today don't like ideas to be challenged. If it is a strongly-held idea, a challenge may be see as if it were a personal attack and that the person making the challenge must be a… Read More
2024-02-06 12:22
Before it even begins, I'm not some radicalized leftist rabble-rouser. The term “liberal” has been co-opted by the evil and the lazy and if you want to see me mad, bring it up… Read More
2024-02-03 16:53
I think we conflate “love” into something resembling an emotional cudgel. My definition of “love thy neighbor” currently reads as the Golden Rule as my effort at… Read More
2024-01-27 16:18
I have been drawn to Christ's teachings as found in Matthew 25. Not that there aren't other things to learn in the writings of prophets and apostles, but the concepts written here are s… Read More
2023-12-15 22:27
The character in Ben Stiller's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is my favorite movie and reflects people who are trying to cope with less-than-inspiring lives, which is just about everyone… Read More
2023-12-15 22:27
I know everyone says they love Jesus and that Jesus loves them, but are they just demanding favors by doing that? Do you "love" Jesus because you want stuff you expect for free? … Read More
2023-12-11 01:10
I broke the RSS feed to my main "on-the-road" podcast (without a backup), so I decided to drop the RSS feed and advertise the recordings (no longer a podcast) on the blog and on Facebook.&nb&hell…Read More
2023-12-11 01:10
There is much talk from Lisa and Jason about car problems, buying a property in Fritch Texas, and other things.I'm going to start advertising recordings from the Princess and/or the Priest p… Read More
2023-12-03 14:50
Here is another time when the Lord takes credit for doing something horrible. I used to think God did nothing nasty, but he does punish those who turn against him.Mormon 8:7 An… Read More
2023-11-26 16:53
I have discovered that my wife really likes Dog the Bounty Hunter. Duane Chapman and his family often convince the families of his bounties that they are better off in jail and drug re… Read More
2023-10-29 19:06
Hanging out to fly home.
First time in NYC
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2023-10-28 12:41
Kilkenny castle
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2023-10-27 19:27
Kiss the stone and listen to the songs of the third generation barkeep.
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2023-10-27 13:26
Killarney town
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2023-10-25 13:18
Beside the holy well of st Brigid
On the ferry
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2023-10-25 05:01
A new watch, a ring, and sending more Aran wool clothes home.Fine lunch at Sonny Molloy's Bar and RestaurantRSS Read More
2023-10-23 07:07
Marion is our guide.
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2023-10-22 15:05
on the way to the ferry
Titanic Museum
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2023-10-21 15:46
Not quite Edinburgh but close.
Not sheep but rocks
16 Regents road Edinburgh
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2023-10-20 12:00
Rainy at Atholl Palace
and we discover Brenna's next job, Chocolatier!
tay river ship at Dundee
The oil industryRSS Read More
2023-10-18 14:26
Couldn't figure out Robb heritage. there is not much of a wool market and highland cattle are useless, he keeps one as a pet.
shopping in Cairngorm
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2023-10-17 12:55
Harry Potter location
Jacobine
donan
Armadale Isle of Skye
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2023-10-16 17:18
Rob Roys Cave and the Macfarlands on the shores of Loch Lomond. Willie serves the hot chocolate on the cruise. Sleeping at Glencoe at Ballachulish Hotel, which has been h… Read More
2023-10-16 10:11
Very old stuffed animals and paintings from the Glasgow Boys.RSS Read More
2023-09-24 21:12
The prophet and war captain Mormon of the Nephite nation was the national archivist, divinely-inspired compiler and commentator of what we have now as the Book of Mormon. He specifically saw… Read More
2023-09-11 17:36
"Jesus loves us all unconditionally..."From the way so many people behave (beyond spoken rationalizations), they think that they are doing Jesus some great favor in letting him be around the… Read More
2023-09-02 18:23
In previous posts, I presented my personal thoughts (not official statements of doctrine promulgated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) on the afterlife and its conditions… Read More
2023-09-02 15:00
First VenitiaThe woman Venitia doesn't enter into the narrative yet, but so much that affects her going forward can be better understood from what's happening here and now.We look upon a far… Read More
2023-08-13 21:05
The prophet and warrior Mormon, of Book of Mormon fame, says that Gentiles (non-native Americans in this case) should turn away from their wickedness through repentance or they will face the… Read More
2023-07-28 19:51
God promises us blessings for our obedience. Sadly, we often forego our bessings in favor of something else we want. Sometimes, those blessings are of a physical nature - like a house or a p… Read More
2023-07-21 16:16
Christ loves us enough to make some demands of us leading toward a life like his with the Father. They are not heavy demands, no matter what Laman and Lemuel from the early part of the Book… Read More
2023-07-15 02:57
In all of her years of work, she had never found herself so flustered. She had used up all the time that could be stolen from her duties in the crew rest compartments. She sighed deeply and… Read More
2023-07-01 21:56
I spent many of my young adult years reading Don Lancaster in several technology magazines, I bought and devoured his TTL Cookbook as a teenager, and kept up with his website over the years… Read More
2023-06-18 14:43
I have heard some lately that say a Christian walk brings peace in our lives, which I have experienced at times. I don't want to appear contrary (but you know that I get a bit of a kick out… Read More
2023-06-09 21:15
When Lehi, who lead his family away from a decadent Jerusalem across the ocean to the Americas, left his final blessings on his children, he made a prophecy about this new land that his chil… Read More
2023-04-30 20:12
Mormon, the man who abridged and complied what we have today as the Book of Mormon, had a pretty tough time of it. His times (4th century CE) were very hard with his nation in decadent decli… Read More
2023-04-08 01:39
The offices of the Mundane Insurance Company were nondescript in an almost painful way. Some sort of tan hessian weave covered most of the walls, though not to the floor or ceiling, but in t… Read More
2023-04-02 15:06
I continue the theme of Christ's love as expressed through his atonement and condescension through taking on himself our life travails and suffering as we do. Jesus understands us and our so… Read More
2023-03-24 10:55
The "light of Christ" might be much like the "tribal" subconscious memory of your pre-earth commitments that niggle at you and help you recognize the truth when you see it. I w… Read More
2023-03-15 15:44
It's okay if you fail to click on presented links on his page to donate or buy many things - it is through your own inattention to opportunities that your life lies dismal and empty as you s… Read More
2023-03-10 17:54
God has so much in common with a mafia boss. He owns everything.You are accountable to him for your use of his gifts, which is all you have.He demands your loyalty and obedience… Read More
2022-12-21 23:46
Here is the scene.The family is in the small front room of the house. The mess of opening the Christmas presents is still evident and the kids have already settled down contentedly to variou… Read More
2022-12-20 19:59
As I read in the Book of Mormon, I see many prophetic parallels to our day, just as many as can be found in the Old and New Testaments. I know many people, even professed Christians, summari… Read More
2022-12-02 11:54
Churches are something of a community. Many are communities of affinity, a gathering of people who see the world and devotion in a similar way. They can also be very fluid commun… Read More
2022-11-18 16:09
This isn't the first or second or third blog post about prosperity here, but it comes up in the Book of Mormon on a regular basis, including instructions on how to obtain it. In t… Read More
2022-11-13 22:55
I have gotten to a wondrous period in the Book of Mormon record in my slow reading. Christ had recently come to establish his gospel and his church and all the people have converted to disci… Read More
2022-10-30 12:29
In my continuing study of scripture, I have found that my understanding of Jesus Christ has been altered and that I have worked to share that new-found understanding with others. As an examp… Read More
2022-10-30 01:21
It sounds like it might have been hard for the record-keeper at this point to write what the Lord Jesus Christ told them to say. It certainly isn't politically correct and paints an en… Read More
2022-10-20 12:49
I hope I have made it more than obvious over the years that the disobedient should fear God. The scriptures we have are replete with warnings of the destruction that will come to those who c… Read More
2022-10-09 20:37
Recent messages from general conferences remind us of the imminent second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to prepare ourselves and to warn our neighbors of this prophesied future eve… Read More
2022-09-17 21:39
Have you ever wondered what makes Jesus happy? Through all his service to others, one might think it might be staying busy in healing and teaching. Yet again, the Book of Mormon records a ti… Read More
2022-09-05 17:33
I wrote this bit of an essay some years ago. It came to mind several times since and I shared the concept of "the Utah cultural center" with others recently and there was general agree… Read More
2022-08-30 12:24
The verse before was a simple statement of the "good news" of Christ found in the Book of Mormon, framed in the cleanliness needed to be with God in the hereafter. Now, Christ com… Read More
2022-08-29 12:27
Jesus continues to spiral into a very short and direct statement of the gospel itself. I'll follow suit.3 Nephi 2719 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing… Read More
2022-08-25 11:20
I continue to slowly move along the Savior's great spiral, adding more and more information and focus on his gospel from a seemingly innocuous question. 3 Nephi 2713 Behold I have given… Read More
2022-08-23 12:09
I am still looking at the "spiral" nature of the Savior's answers to questions, building and expanding on what he has said before. This chapter begins with a rather simple question fro… Read More
2022-08-14 21:48
A young man spoke to us at a conference today, mentioning the best answers to questions are ones that expand beyond the original query. For instance, the question "should I get married… Read More
2022-07-17 13:39
This is yet another stab at resetting people's expectations of Jesus Christ.When Christ came to the people in America, he commanded that some scripture be put into their records that h… Read More
2022-06-29 15:43
I might get the reputation of highlighting the hard Christ, the one who promises punishments for disobedience. I do this because of the constant stream of platitudes from many, many po… Read More
2022-06-24 13:22
It seems everyone wants to find something special about themselves; something that makes them stand out from the rest. But what happens when you are special in God's eyes but that marks you… Read More
2022-06-07 14:17
The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer Wonderful Archetype for the overriding love-service and responsibility of children to parents and the collection of powerful allies in mutual benefit towar… Read More
2022-05-02 13:42
There is much ado about pronouns these days. Some rather inconsequential countries have even written laws about who defines personal pronouns, what are proper pronouns, and the punishm… Read More
2022-04-29 17:27
I first discovered Fred about fifteen years ago.I put links to some of his columns here because they are often blocked without some obfuscation. He is not considerate of the howlers wh… Read More
2022-04-28 18:19
There are many, many things that just don't really matter. Not that we don't care or feel, that we want to feel true to ourselves and allow everyone else to also feel true to them… Read More
2022-04-14 20:10
My readings in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants have inspired me to use this blog to repeat and repeat the charge to all that we must repent. I woke today thinki… Read More
2022-03-31 13:15
I sometimes think that I'm a pretty lucky guy. Then I remember my blessings and I think again.3 Nephi 20:15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which th… Read More
2022-02-28 13:47
Here is a wonderful discourse on "Visitors Welcome" directly from Jesus Christ himself.3 Nephi 18:28-3228 And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suf… Read More
2022-02-20 12:53
In the beginning, Adam and Eve were given a commandment to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). This is a key part of the "Agenda of God", wher… Read More
2022-02-10 15:21
Some want to know why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints behaves in the way it does and why it accepts some behaviors and not others. In the strange climate of belief that Chris… Read More
2022-01-11 14:22
Just in case one thinks this will be about slogans on coins and bills, this isn't about money. This is about who we trust. When it comes to very important matters, those we trust becom… Read More
2021-12-14 14:26
Many people spend time making bigger choices, such as buying a car or a house. These things should be considered and the more information you have on big decisions, the better your dec… Read More
2021-12-08 14:46
Often enough on this blog, I have spoken of exaltation, or becoming as God. One could look on that goal as being like a destination. Others, in this case Jesus Christ, have reached the desti… Read More
2021-11-24 18:03
There is much hyperventilating over the new-age concept of God's "unconditional love" for all. You can likely hear my attitude about it - I think it is a bad road to take. In so… Read More
2021-10-03 22:59
In this time of dubious justifications for dwindling liberties and forced compliance, it is good to recall Christ's teachings on such times as these. I take some excerpts from the retelling… Read More
2021-08-01 13:13
A rather unique doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reveals that all of us had an existence before birth as spirit children of God. The Bible mentions this in r… Read More
2021-07-31 23:55
This world is crazy and it is just getting more so. How do I cope?I spend workweek evenings living on an acre of desert land I bought within commuting distance from my job.My first she… Read More
2021-07-23 12:26
Increasing numbers of people ignore established sources of wisdom that God provides through prophets. The world is becoming more tumultuous and the "experts" to whom many turn for answers ar… Read More
2021-07-23 12:22
My podcast player went haywire, perhaps with the intervention of God, and I found myself listening to a very old discussion rather than my morning devotional. I would reference the source, b… Read More
2021-07-22 11:33
"Yes, Virginia, I have read the CES Letter..." and my response follows.I have had spiritual experiences for decades in relation to scripture and God's hand in my life. These experience… Read More
2021-06-15 13:56
Many people know Latter-Day Saints best by the health code to which most adhere: The Word of Wisdom. It has been interpreted to proscribe the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, a… Read More
2021-05-23 13:25
In the Book of Mormon, the Lord catalogues the destruction of many cities and lands as a result of wickedness and abominations and the treatment of those who called out the wicked.3 Nephi 9:… Read More
2021-04-21 00:49
I have just been hit by two "blasts from the past" that conjuncted a few days ago.When I was in my late 20's, I took a very interesting job as a siesmic navigator on a boat for Petrole… Read More
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