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Showing posts from February, 2017

Coming Total Solar Eclipses in 2017 and 2024 for North America

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The next two total solar eclipses that will pass over North America will occur August 21, 2017, and April 8, 2024. It's interesting to see the paths these eclipses will take. Aug 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse Map April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Map I realize the two eclipses are about 6 years and 8 months (nearly 7 years) apart, but my curiosity had to see where they would cross. Overlaid on top of each other, the crossing point is a lake between Pomona and Makanda, Illinois  (it's a bit blurry). While probably insignificant, when looking at the maps I noticed how close the Mississippi river is to this point. So, I had to do some research about the New Madrid fault, and was a little surprised about an apparent correlation between the quake damage map and the crossing point of the next two solar eclipses. We know that the sun has an effect on the production of large earthquakes. I'm just guessing, but the moon might have a minor effec

The Drunkenness of Excess

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A few months ago I watched this sketch from Studio C https://youtu.be/xJ1oRqlDaII A particular statement caught my attention. "And gluttony, the drunkenness of excess." Most people, including myself, understand gluttony to refer to eating and drinking too much. But it's definition includes "greedy or excessive indulgence" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gluttony). Similarly a glutton is a person who eats or drinks too much, or "someone who wants a large amount of something" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glutton) Interesting that we live in a gluttonous society, where many not only eat and drink in excess, but much of society is greedily pursuing excess of what is needed. Regular fasting helps us to not only be aware of and control our appetite, but it can help us become aware of and avoid gluttonous attitudes, where we want much more than we need. The "drunkenness of excess" can also result in the at

Accelerating on

Here's a symbolic summary. We are getting on a roller coaster/train. But, there are no seat belts and the seats are flat--no arm guards/rests or side rails. How well we stay on will depend on our spiritual and physical preparations. We need to hang on with all we have, and do what we can to help our families hang on. One view is the coaster/train cars are on the uphill, about to go down at anytime. A year ago, that was my thought. But I recently had another idea, which changed my perception from a roller coaster (which depends on gravity) to a train. In this perspective, the train is leaving and it is beginning to speed up and very soon the track will turn very quickly, and will continue to spiral with increased acceleration. And instead of dropping in the spiral, what if the spirals went up as the cars continue to accelerate? When the cars whip around the sharply curving tracks it will be all anyone can do to grab anything and hold on. What happens if you fall off? I don't kn

Act...As for Years

I believe it was fall 2015 when I was reading Doctrine and Covenants section 51, when verse 17 really jumped out at me. I've included the preceding and subsequent verses as well.  16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;  17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.  18 Behold, this shall be an example unto my servant Edward Partridge, in other places, in all churches.  19 And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.  20 Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who cometh quickly, in an hour you think not. Even so. Amen. (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/51?lang=eng) We are to be watching and praying, always striving to be led by the Spirit in our lives. However, we

The Earth as a Musical Instrument

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The earth is a massive, musical instrument with it's magnetosphere acting as a stringed, percussion, and/or sound-cavity-based (woodwind, brass) instrument. http://www.sciencealert.com/this-is-what-the-earth-s-magnetic-field-sounds-like https://youtu.be/nFienKmHWus This could definitely be a source of the mysterious sounds heard around the earth. It could also be that when the angels sound their trumps, the earth's own musical attributes could amplify and contribute to the sound.

The Righteous Will Be Led Out

"And the time speedily cometh, that except ye repent they shall possess the land of your inheritance, and the Lord God will lead away the righteous out from among you." -Jacob 3:4 This may be the single most comprehensive scripture regarding a gathering. In the above verse "they" is referring to the Lamanites, but "they" could be any group. Repentance is the key. As the unrepentant increase in number, and wickedness increases, the people become ripened in iniquity. When the wicked are the majority, and most of those who might be labeled as "righteous" tolerate, and/or support iniquity, then the people are fully ripe in iniquity. From what I have been able to discern in the scriptures, this fully ripe state comes after years of warnings from the Lord. Natural disasters, famine, wars, etc. In the beginning of these warnings many of the people may return briefly to God, and repent of their wickedness. But, as the bad times become memory, the