Baptism for the Dead and John 3:5

   There lies in this scripture, evidence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
   "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." -- John 3:5
   The scripture indicates no one can get there without baptism -- no one. Yet, many have been born in the course of this world who lived far from the climes of Christianity. They did not know Christ, and did not have opportunity to be baptized.
   I know of only one church that makes it possible for them to be baptized. I know of only one church that baptizes for the dead, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS people do genealogy, collecting the names of their ancestors who died going back as long as they can find them. Then, they go to the temples and are baptized for them.
   I do not know altogether what many -- they who are not members of the "Mormon" church -- think when they hear this argument. I do wonder. To me, it is a simple matter: If the scriptures say everyone must be baptized, and only one church makes that possible, while it does not mean that church is definitely the "true" church, it certainly is an indication of it, an evidence.

As Long as the Wording is as it is, We Should Live by it

   We can lament that the founding fathers put it in the Constitution, we can wince that the language is so broad and vague, but it remains that Article 8 grants the government power to provide for the general welfare.
   "General welfare" is about as broad and vague a term as there could be. Still, it is the wording that is given, and if we are to live by the Constitution, we must accept that wording, and all that it means.
   "General welfare" leaves the federal government open for providing national parks, for they can be for the general welfare. It leaves open the government to be involved in health care, for that, surely, involves the general welfare.
   Alas, "general welfare" leaves the federal government open to do just about anything it wants.
   If we are to accept the 10th Amendment, which says all powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states, we must also accept Article 8, complete with all its broad powers. If we do not like the wording of our Constitution, if we feel it should be more limiting, then we must amend it. But, as long as the wording is as it is, we should live by it.

The Many Types of Intelligence

   To say a person is intelligent, begs a question: What is it that he is intelligent at? I don't know that anyone is intelligent all across the board. Instead, are intelligent at a few things, and lacking in others.
   The ability to reason is one of the most defining forms of intelligence. But, it is hardly the only form. Here, for your pleasure, I list some others.
   The ability to remember. And, there are subcategories. Some can remember events from their life better than others. Another type, is to be able to memorize, to take a topic and remember the details.
   The ability to estimate needs. Let's say, you have a weekly event, and are estimating each week how many will be there. The person with this type of intelligence is able to identify signs and factors that help him make a good guess as to how many people will come.
   The ability to find a path, to see what it takes to get from point A to point B. The ability to earn money is a subcategory of this, as the person identifies what it will take to get him there.
   The ability to analyze, to see all the factors, or all the parts of a whole.
   The ability to perceive, to see recognize things that are going on around a person.
   The ability to communicate, and to persuade.
   The ability to create and invent.
   The ability to concentrate, to not be distracted.
   The ability to multitask.
   Well, there are probably many others, but there I have given you a few.

Gov. Herbert Calls on Legislature to Allow Tesla to Come to Utah

   If my ears were correct, in his state of the state address, Gov. Gary Herbert called on the current legislature to make it legal for Tesla to come to Utah.
   I don't know but what that couldn't have been the headline in today's paper, but the call didn't even get a mention in the story I read.
   Utah law doesn't allow car manufacturers to own more than 45 percent of a dealership.
   Herbert asked the legislature to remove laws from the books, completely erase them. He asked for the size of the Utah Code to be reduced. If I heard correct -- and I'm rather certain I did -- he specifically mentioned the law that prevents Tesla from being sold in Utah to be one of the laws wiped off the books.

Thanks to the FBI for Releasing the Finicum Shooting Video

   Thank the FBI for releasing the video of the traffic stop that lead to LaVoy Finicum being killed. It is a relief to see the agency being open. I do believe in being open with the public, whenever possible, on such matters.
   "The accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial," says the Sixth Amendment. Generally, it is good for the cause of truth, and good for the cause of justice, when criminal matters are before the public.

Build a Full Education Around the Student's Choice

   Though freeing students to pursue topics of their choice is a way to better our education system, I do believe in a traditional education, as well.
   Don't throw away spelling, math, and American history. Don't do away tell them all is laissez faire. While the student should be able to concentrate on topics of interest, build a full education around that. There remains value in traditional scholarship, and in learning to be disciplined in what is studied.

Medical Bills and the American Car

   Learned that the expense of benefits was a major reason for the auto companies asking for a bailout six, seven or eight years ago.
   As in health benefits. As in, the cost of our medical system brought the American auto industry to its knees. I've considered in the past how health care costs contribute significantly to the national debt, and how they make a large share of the personal debt of Americans.
   And, so now I learn this, and it adds to my concern that the medical industry is strangling America.
    Just a few notes on what happened back then.  It was estimated that the difference in benefits for workers costed the American auto makers $350 - $500 more per car than what their overseas competitors faced. The Big Three asked Congress for $50 billion to pay health care costs to avoid bankruptcy and layoffs. Congress granted them a $25 billion loan. That was not, at all, the full of the auto bailout, but, I believe, it was the beginning of it.
   So, it is not accurate to say the inflated prices of medicine, in part, led to the greatest challenge our auto industry has ever faced?