HEALTHCARE

OK people.  We’ve got some learning to do on healthcare, so let’s dive in.

A friend of mine gets credit for the best comment when she said, “It can be good or not so good depending on your situation.”  This is brilliant, because healthcare should be good and affordable for all.  Obamacare should not be a lottery as to who it works or doesn't work for.

Now before we can address healthcare, we should review a basic economic function of government, and this will be uncomfortable for some.

 Governments do not have incomes.  The only source of funds governments have is taxes it places on its citizenry.  So, to say socialized medicine is best because it costs less is the wrong way to look at it.

Let me explain by asking two questions.  First, and remember where governments money comes from when answering, “How much of the money I earn do you think you are entitled to?”  And second, “Why?”

You see, if you need $10 to go buy a burrito, and steal it from your neighbor, you will be going to jail.  But if you need $10 for a particular medicine, the government takes if from your neighbor and we don’t call it stealing.  See the problem?  There is no difference!

Now this is the hard part to accept.  “Health care is NOT a right.”  You have no right at any level to get your needs from your neighbors.  They don’t owe you.  So why do we call it OK when government does it!  To those of you who want to explore this further, please read, “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat.  Frederic was a French economist and this was first published in 1850.  The book outlines basic economic principles, how much power governments should have, and how socialism ALWAYS degrades into communism over time.

I have a friend in Australia who needs their socialized medicine as her daughter has horrifically high medical expenses.  But to say the government pays for it is a misnomer.  From the most recent stats I could find, the USA spends 17.8% of its GDP on medicine, or $9990 per person per year.  This is way too high!  Australia spends 9.4% of its GDP on medicine, or $5479 per person per year.

The money has to come from somewhere!  In the USA, it is through private insurers or Obamacare that costs too much.  But Australia is not that far behind.  Australia’s Medicare is funded by a 2% tax levy + money from general revenue.  The USA does not have this.  So, to say Australians pay dramatically less than Americans for healthcare is a misnomer.  Americans pay at the door.  Australians are taxed.  Same money, just different ways to collect it.

In an international comparative study, Australia ranks highest on health lives, so their system seems to be working well, however there are strong hidden currents of underlying problems beginning to manifest themselves.  HealthWorkforce Australia in a 2012 study predicted in the near future there will be a shortage of 3000 doctors, over 100,000 nurses, and more than 80,000 registered nurses.  And Australia's system has been only in place since the mid-80s.  The system is starting to crack.

Also, Australia’s healthcare system works only in the more metro areas.  From the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, people in remote areas had decreasing life expectancies that increase the more remote they are from major cities.  An average of 7 years less in lifespan.  It is also noted, that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait island people have horrible health care.  Their system seems to be nearly non-existent in rural areas.

America does not have this problem in rural areas.  Where my sister lives in Blackfoot, ID, a small town, they have nationally ranked doctors in several disciplines.  However, this does come with a cost.

So, what is the solution?  The only economic system that does not degrade over time is the free market system.  Which the US does not have by the way in Healthcare.

Companies competing for your business in a free market society will maximize the cost/benefit ratios in the most effective manner.  And then a re-insurance system for catastrophic illnesses so families with problems such as Cynthia’s daughter and my wife don’t go broke!

Unfortunately, to take this conversation further, I would have to write a book and who has that much time?  The point of this tome is not to solve the problems of high healthcare costs, but to show that the money healthcare costs is paid by the people in one form or another.  There is no such thing as a free lunch.

And whatever systems exist, they must be voluntary.  In about 1985, I read an article that stated since WWII the US population had grown 150% while the federal government grew over 900%.  This is the communistic road all countries are on if we want the government to solve all our problems.  And when any government system degrades to this healthcare will degrade as well.

Canada is supposed to have a great medical system like Australia, however when my Canadian friend shattered his kneecap in a 4-wheeler accident, it took 6 months to schedule the surgery to repair his knee.  That is not a good system by any reasoning.  And it was due to rationing health care imposed by government controls.

My hip surgeries cost a lot personally, but they took 5 minutes to schedule.  Think about it.

Also, where does medical technology and advancements come from?  NOT from socialized countries.  I know the US system is expensive, but it produces.  In the last few years, the US has produced 7.87 million papers and citations on medical advances.  China is number 2 with 3.1 million.  Australia is number 11 in research with 782,000 research papers.  Of the top 25 institutions producing biotechnology, 23 of them are in the US.  Basically, if a socialized medicine country uses a technology to save someone, chances the device or drug was invented in the US.

It is easy to say socialized medicine is great, and America’s system is too expensive.  But these two statements don’t even begin to address the issues.

A FEW QUESTIONS TO PROTESTERS

Why do you think inconveniencing people will sway them to your beliefs?
Why do you think scaring people will sway them to your beliefs?
Why do you think destroying personal property will sway people to your beliefs?

If you are passionate about something, be constructive about it, not destructive.  Learn everything you can about all sides of an issue and engage in thoughtful reason.

When our Constitution was formed, there were as many ideas about government as there were people in the room.  So during a long hot summer in 1787, these men from different backgrounds and ideologies created a new form of government where the people ruled rather than the elite.

Contrast this with breaking into buildings and burning things.  You are better than this.

2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AFTERMATH

I have never seen the kind of hostility toward a new president as I have seen against Donald Trump.  In fact, the only time more Democrats decided to pout and refused to attend an inauguration was when Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as President!

Many of my friends and acquaintances have, and probably still hate Trump with a passion.  Honestly, I don’t understand it, so let me share a few observations.  You see, I believe the media has falsely accused him to a tremendous degree.

 Most Trump haters do not like him as he seems to have had a somewhat sordid past.  OK.  Point taken.  Ten years ago, he was less than stellar morally and maybe we saw some lingering traces of that in the first debates.  Obama was a druggie in college.  So what?  Who are these men today?

First, I am more interested in who Trump is today than his past.  And it is quite appalling to me how so many self-righteous sanctimonious so-called Christians are so quick to condemn him to Hell by forcing him to live in his past.  Isn’t the primary belief of Christianity forgiveness and Christ-like love?  Didn’t Christ die so we may be forgiven of our sins?  The only thing we should be concerned about is the man today.  He won the election fair and square.

During his first inauguration, there were 6 Christian prayers offered, more than any other inauguration in history.  And in Trump’s speech he said, “We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE PROTECTED BY GOD.”

This appears to be Donald Trump today, a God-fearing man.  Is he sincere?  I don’t know.  Is this all just a farce to get elected?  I don’t know.  What I do know is he seemed to invite God back into America. 

Who among you is ready to cast the first stone?  Which of you is ready to turn away from Christ’s teachings and refuse to forgive him for any past deeds?  I am not, and will never be that person.  I have committed too many sins of my own to worry about others.  Also, in a spiritual sense, one the hardest things people trying to follow Christ must deal with is false Christians who won’t let them repent.

Secondly, the media has put forth the “fact” that Trump hates Mexicans.  I do not believe this.  Why?  I have never heard him say this.  Only the fake news media has said this.  I HAVE heard Trump say he was against illegal immigration.  There is a big difference between the two. 

In 1775 Patrick Henry warned the people against indifference, complacency, and apathy.  Are we today heeding the Constitution?  One of the President’s first duties is in the Oath of Office states, “defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.”  What does this mean!  Congress is given the task to make laws, and the President’s duty is to uphold them.  The President cannot make laws.  It is the right and privilege however of our President to enforce laws enacted by Congress that deal with national security.  If someone enters our Country illegally, measures must be taken or we will end up with nothing to call our own.  This is fulfilling the Oath of Office, not racism.

Thirdly, I do not believe Trump is a misogynist.  Again, this is something the mainstream media has raised as a banner to try and destroy him.  Oh how we love to wave about big words.  I am still waiting for some proof of this, and I haven’t seen any yet.  The only things I have heard about occurred many years ago.

Fourth, I do not believe Trump hates Muslims.  Trump has NEVER said this.  However, he has raised some legitimate concerns.  Most Muslims are peaceful people as most Americans are.  However, studies show that 10% to 15% of them are radicalized, or very dangerous.  All I have ever heard Trump say is we need to vet those wanting to enter our Country.  We need to find a way to filter them, and no one knows how to do this yet.  If there was a 10% chance your new neighbor wanted to rape and kill your daughter, would 10% be a risk level you would be comfortable with?  All he wants to do is fulfill the Oath of Office, to protect us from enemies, both foreign and domestic.  This is NOT racism.

And lastly, I would like to quote some lines from Trump’s inaugural address on January 20^th, 2016:

… today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another – but we are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you, the American people.  THIS IS VERY CONSTITUTIONAL.

… for too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have born the cost.  Washington flourished—but the people did not share in its wealth.  DOES ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS STATEMENT?

 … what truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.  THIS IS VERY CONSTITUTIONAL.

…an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge.  ANY ISSUES?

…for many decades we’ve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry;… we’ve defended other nation’s borders while refusing to defend our own… and spent trillions of dollars overseas while America’s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay…  ANY ISSUES?

I could go on.   Would those of you that don’t support him, at least give him a chance?  He has the potential to fill the history books as one of the greatest presidents ever.  Will he?  I don’t know, but his inviting God back into our Country is a good place to start.

A LITTLE BIT CYNICAL AND A LITTLE BIT IN YOUR FA

The democrats are running around telling everyone the Russians stole the election from Hillary Clinton.

 1. How does our government know Russia is responsible for hacking into the DNC when the DNC won't let the government inspect their servers to see who hacked into them? This seems like a really good question!

 2, Whoever the culprit is, they did not force anyone to vote for anyone. All they did was expose how the DNC operates. And I think this really nauseated everyone!

3. Shouldn't this culprit be commended for good public service? Eight long years ago Obama promised the most transparent government in American history. Wasn't the culprit just helping Obama keep his promise?

 And while I am at it, NO, the President should not be elected by popular vote. We have the electoral college for a reason. Donald Trump won 30 States to Hillary's 20, and Donald won 2600 Counties to Hillary’s 500. All Hillary won was a few large population centers, so although she won the popular vote, she does NOT represent the vast majority of Americans!

Back in 2008, Obama expressed his frustration that a majority of Americans cling to their guns, Bible, and religion.

Guess I will continue to do so!

75 years ago my Grandfather's brother, Mervyn S. Bennion was killed at Pearl Harbor and received the Medal of Honor for his service and commitment to duty. He was hit, refused medical treatment, and continued giving orders until he succumbed from his wounds.  He was the commander of the USS West Virginia, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet.

The young men of his day stormed the beaches of Normandy so we could have the freedoms we enjoy today. In fact, the Kohima War Cemetery has a plaque which reads,

"When you go home tell them of us and say 'For your tomorrow, we gave our today'."

Over the last few years, the young men of our Country have grown a need for a safe place to cry and pet kittens. Good grief! What has happened?

 
Goodbye Obama, pajama boy and snowflakes. Welcome back alpha males!

SUNDAY BEFORE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

A SUNDAY THOUGHT

This Sabbath day a lot of people across our Country are fasting and praying for the outcome of Tuesday’s Presidential election.  This event is not specific to a single faith, and many are involved.  I personally have signed up with a group that includes well over 85,000 people from all walks of life across our entire Country.

I think we have all seen these past few months how corrupt our government has become, and the depth of it is staggering.  The corruption seems to be complete, and includes the Executive branch, Congress, the State department, and the Justice department.

Our Country is truly a shining city on a hill and so blessed by God, but our Constitution is in peril, along with our way of life and the freedoms we enjoy.  If our light fades, where will the oppressed turn for help?  And where will free people call home?

 A lot of us have prayed earnestly for guidance in making our personal decisions.  So, with this spirit in mind, I offer the following suggestion;

If you are fasting and/or praying this day, please set aside the candidate you are voting for.  You see, there are good and honorable people voting for all candidates, and their reasons are many and varied.

I suggest we pray not for a specific person, but for the preservation of our Constitution and the freedoms granted therein.  And I suggest we pray for the candidate who will best preserve them.

The father of us all, our Heavenly Father, or God if you prefer, knows the hearts and intents of His children, and He alone knows who is most capable of restoring our nation.

POLITICS, MILLENNIALS, AND A SLEEPING GIANT

After watching this election cycle, and the world at large, I have several thoughts.  Most of these surround millennials and their view of the world.  And perhaps the next older generation as well.

With the beginning of the demolition of the Berlin wall in the summer of 1990, most free people thought communism had finally been defeated.  And it seemed so, for a while.

In the last few years however, like a sleeping giant communism seems to be awakening.  Many people do not realize that Russia’s current leader, Putin is an old KGB agent.  One of the responsibilities of the KGB during the 70’s was to provide security for, and guard the leadership of the communist party.  And now the man who knew the atrocities of this time, is their leader.

What does this have to do with today?  First, I don’t think this very dangerous part of our history is known or remembered to a great extent.  If so, I believe people would completely disavow the democratic party and their insatiability for State control.  I remember reading a magazine in the mid-80’s that noted since WWII the population of our country had grown 150% while the government had grown about 900%.  Why is this?  The founding fathers were terrified of a large central government.  And by the Constitution, it’s powers are supposed to be limited.

I doubt this is taught sufficiently in school anymore, because if it had been, something happened on January 14th, 2014 that should have terrified the nation.

President Obama, frustrated with his inability to get Congress to go along with his socialist programs, gave up on the rule of law.  He gave up on the enumerated powers of the Constitution, He gave up on over 250 years of history, and uttered these words,

“We’re not just going to be waiting for legislation in order to make sure that we’re providing Americans the kind of help they need.  I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone.  And I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball forward…”

This is not how a president of a free nation speaks.  This is the speech of a dictator, or a king.

Aristotle stated there were 3 principle types of governments that existed prior to the great American experiment in freedom, or self-government.  These were a monarchy, aristocracy, and a polity.

A monarchy has a single ruler such as a king.  An aristocracy is based on birth and privilege, and a polity was kind of a loose democracy without any controls.  The first two of these systems concentrated all power in a single individual, or a small ruling class.  And the third deteriorated into mob rule due to a lack of controls.

Today in the world, we have Communism, Monarchy’s, Marxism, and Socialism.  Without going into detail, these forms of government use what is known as command and control economies.  They have differences, but they are slight.

And now to the millennials.  A lot of them tend to be democratic in nature as liberalism seems to be the mantra in most of our universities.  In fact, many of the professors in universities today were the hippies of the 60s!  It is a "feel good" philosophy!

The more government programs we have, the less freedoms we have.  You see, the government does not have an income.  It can only give something to person “A,” if it takes from person “B.”  And the younger generations seem to think this is all good.

Where does this deterioration end?  If we do not stop and change course now, we will lose what is left of our Constitution and slowly slide into a third world society with ruthless dictators at our helm.  We are headed there now with President Obama’s statement quoted earlier.

Like the frog in the boiling pot, these changes are happening slowly, so we don’t notice them.  So, let’s jump ahead by going back in time to see how command and control economies worked after WWII.  And then see if this is the type of society you want to live in!  Following are a few examples of what freedom deteriorates into;

“The existence of the Soviet Republic side by side with imperialist states for a long time is unthinkable.  One or the other must triumph in the end.  And before that end supervenes, a series of frightful collisions between the Soviet Republic and the bourgeois states will be inevitable.”

V.I. Lenin, “Report of the central committee at the 8th party congress."  1919.

The history of the world, including now, is unending war between freedom and slavery.

**********

“Our collaboration with capitalism during the war which has recently ended, by no means signifies that we shall prolong our alliance with it in the future.  On the contrary, the capitalistic forces constitute our natural enemy despite the fact that they helped us to defeat their most dangerous representative.  It may happen that we shall again decide to make use of their aid, but always with the sole aim of accelerating their final ruin.”

Marshall Tito, Continental News Sevice Nov. 8, 1946.

We cannot trust communist societies even though we may work with them.

**********

“If the situation is ripe for a popular uprising, in view of the fact that the revolution in social relationships has already taken place, and if we have prepared for it, we can order an uprising.”

V.I. Lenin, Selected works, Vol. III p. 298.

Black lives matter?  Riots in Ferguson? Civil uprisings?  We have found out these have been funded by less than honorable sources.

**********


Speaking of the Bible, “A collection of fantastic legends without any scientific support.”
Russian dictionary under Christian Economics, Vol III, No. 7. March 27, 1951.
 
Hillary Clinton saying the Catholics have to give up their beliefs?  Obama forcing Christian doctors to do things that violate their beliefs through Obamacare?
**********

The Book of Revelation speaks of a great war in Heaven.  The issue was over agency and how we were to be saved.  Isaiah and Luke speak of this.

ANYTHING that lends to God given freedoms is righteous.  ANYTHING that would remove or shackle these freedoms is evil.

The drive of Satan (communism, command and control economies, whatever you want to call it) is to force all to be equally good and all the same.  The drive of God is to give us the freedoms we need to become like him.  A great war was fought in Heaven over this.  Is the fight for freedom any less important now?

2016 ELECTION FINAL THOUGHTS

Final thoughts on the 2016 Presidential election from a conservative standpoint.

I believe Donald Trump is the best choice for President this year as Hillary Clinton cannot be allowed anywhere near the oval office, or have her hand in anything that has to do with the Supreme Court.  It is universally agreed by conservatives that Hillary Clinton is one of the most corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous politicians our Country has ever seen.  The fact that she could even be the Democrats nominee shows how far the morals and ethics in our Country have fallen.

 Donald Trump, while not a poster child of virtue himself, has stated he will appoint conservative justices in the mold of Antonin Scalia who truly understand our Heavenly inspired Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees.  He has also adopted a very conservative platform.

There are many reasons to not like Mr. Trump.  However, I would submit to you that most (not all) of his sins are in the past, and from a Christian perspective this must take this into consideration.

Due to Mr. Trumps faults, many individuals are looking for an alternative vote which is easily understandable.  Sadly however, the statistical probabilities of anything coming from this are non-existent.  It has been tried before by Perot, Anderson, and earlier in the form of the Bull Moose party.  I personally wish we had a viable third party to choose from, however my wishes do not drive the realities of our elections.

The reason for this tome is not to banter about the qualities (or lack thereof) of each candidate, but to show how important the Supreme Court is.  And as stated and alluded to above, with Hillary or a third party there is zero chance the Supreme Court will remain Constitutional in its thinking and judgements.

This is important because it is generational.  If the Court goes liberal in 2017, it will most likely stay that way for the next 24 years or longer given the age and disposition of the judges.  In other words, if one decides to elect a candidate that cannot positively affect the Court, this decision will affect our children’s future.  Following are some examples of what I mean:

 

·         In 1962 Engal v. Vitale, prayer in public school became unconstitutional. What happened?  It had been OK for 200+ years prior to this dating back to before our Country founded.

·         In 1963 Abington School District v. Schempp, Bible reading in school was determined to be unconstitutional.  What happened?

·         In 1980 Stone v. Graham, the 10 Commandment could no longer be posted in school.  Again, what happened?

·         In 1970 State Board of Educ. v. Board of Educ. of Netcong voluntary prayer and bible reading was no longer allowed.  What happened?  Over 200 years of stare decisis, or the legal doctrine of precedent was abandoned.

·         In 1984 Wallace v. Jaffree, a minute of silence in lieu of prayer was no longer acceptable.  What happened?

 

I could go on and on, but these are enough.  Our Constitution is slowly being stripped from the original intent and wording of our founding fathers.  As a nation, we are slowly turning away from the God inspired precepts our Country was founded on.

On Thursday June 28, 1787, Benjamin Franklin stood, and addressed prayer at the Constitutional Convention.  In his aged voice he proclaimed, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men.”

This kind of thinking by Statesmen such as Benjamin Franklin gave rise to our Country, and departing from it will be our downfall.

So in conclusion, all of the candidates have positive ideas to add to the discussion.  Conversely, all have negatives.  But in the long run, and for this election cycle, saving the Supreme Court, and by extension, the Constitution seems to me the paramount issue.  And only one candidate has a chance of doing this.  Donald Trump.

"HOW WILL IT BE WHEN NONE MORE SAITH 'I SAW'?"

I entitled my last post, "A Christian Religion?"  It is a comparison of differing interpretations of Biblical scripture.  In my last sentence I noted prophets existed anciently, and alluded to the fact that it would be nice if they existed today to clear up some of the many conflicting passages contained in the Bible.

This article is a summary of one written by Hugh Nibley, with the same title.  Although some syntax will be mine, I take no credit for any of the material presented other than the last few paragraphs.  This material can be found in a book called, "The World And The Prophets," first published in 1954.

As an effort to understand the mood of the Church after the passing of the Apostles, the poet Browning wrote, "A Death in the Desert."  He describes the passing of John, the last of the witnesses.  This passing left the Christians with an overpowering sense of loss - without a real prophet they are no better than other men;... without an eyewitness, there could be no final certainty.

The first few lines of the poem read:

Still, when they scatter, there is left on earth
No one alive who knew (consider this!)
-Saw with his eyes and handled with his hands
That which was from the first, the Word of Life.
How will it be when none more saith "I saw"?

Speaking of heavenly things, Justin Martyr wrote to the Greeks;

"Neither by nature nor by any human skill, is it possible for men to know such high and holy things; but only by a gift that descends from above upon holy men from time to time."  "Such is the nature of the prophetic gift."  Notice that man cannot claim this gift,  but it is given only by God when it pleases Him.

Some 150 years after Christ, the early Christians felt that without this gift of direct revelation from heaven,... they would be no better than the heathen- well meaning, but bankrupt.  Justin went on to show how this gift passed from the Jews to the Christians, and was the boast and glory of the Church.

Some eighty years later, Origen used the same argument, however by this time there were now only "traces" of the gift remaining.  For Origen, the possession of prophets and wonders is what proved a divine church.

But must the church always have living prophets in its midst?  The answer is clear enough in these few passages.  The true church must and will always have living prophets.  But that is unwelcome news to the world!

A dead prophet the world dearly desires and warmly cherishes; he is a priceless tradition, a spiritual heritage, a beautiful memory.  But woe to a living prophet!  He shall be greeted with stones and catcalls even by pious people.  Remember, the men who put the Apostles to death thought they were doing God a favor!  (Luke 11:47-48)  We adorn the tombs of the prophets, but would kill them if they were alive!

John the Baptist paved the way for Christ.  Few believed or followed him.  Jesus Christ came to redeem men and save their souls.  Few believed or followed him.

Many people believe that had they lived in the time of Christ, they would have followed Him, but  how would they know who he was?  If he came today, or sent a prophet, how would we respond?  Matthew refers to this in 13:55.  Remember, He was to His contemporaries just the carpenter's son!

Neither man nor God has really changed much in the past two millennia.  Jesus said he would come again.  If He remains true to form, He will send a prophet to pave the way as he did in the meridian of time.  How many will believe?  How many will recognize a prophet?  Has this already happened?

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith claimed God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.  As with John, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles, Joseph Smith was vilified, persecuted, and murdered for his beliefs.  Was he a false prophet?  Was he a true prophet?  Given the enormity of his claim, it is probably worth taking a serious look!

A CHRISTIAN RELIGION?

Tonight's thoughts deal with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons.

Many Christians do not feel that Mormonism is a Christian religion.  There are two primary reasons for this.  First, they feel that Mormons don't interpret in the Bible the "right way."  And secondly, the Mormons believe in continuing revelation from God which is considered by many to be blasphemous.

I find these mainstream beliefs very interesting!  Starting with the second, Christians believe that after Christ died, the heavens were closed and God quit speaking to his Children.  This belief by the way, is not in the Bible, nor was it taught by the apostles.

Imagine if you will, we on Earth, God's children, telling Him when He can and when He cannot speak to us.  Imagine God in all His omnipotence being told what he can and cannot do by His son's and daughter's!  Imagine a young child telling his/her parents to "be quiet," and "I will tell you when you can speak!"  I struggle with this theological reasoning!

Now to the matter of interpreting the Bible the "right" way:  My intention is not to try and prove anything, but invite thought.  So following is a typical Christian belief contrasted with the Mormon belief, and than a few appropriate questions and comments.

Mainstream Christians believe God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all the same being.  John 10:30 is used as a supporting scripture for this which states, "I and my Father are one."  There are others, but this gives us a good idea.  Mormon's on the other hand, believe they are separate and distinct individuals, but one in purpose.

If the typical Christian belief is true, why does God, a singular being, state, "Let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:29), which is plural?  In Acts 7:55 Stephen looked into heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.  Again, plural beings.  And lastly when Jesus was baptized as recorded in Matthew 3:17, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  Clearly two persons here.  And like the aforementioned belief, these are but a few examples.

So you see the dilemma.  We have some scriptures stating God and Christ are the same being, and some scriptures stating they are separate.  Which is it?  Using logic, which do we believe literally and which are not to be believed, or have a different meaning assigned?  And more importantly, who gets to make this choice?

I believe the answer to this (which is the Mormon belief) lies within the great intercessory prayer in the 17th chapter of John.  These verses by the way, also seem to indicate God and Jesus are not the same individual as Christ is praying to God, rather than himself.

In the 21st verse, Christ indicates how the Father and He are one by stating, "That they all may be one (the people); as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us..."

Does this not suggest that Jesus and the Father are separate beings, yet one in purpose?  Accepting this allows the other contradictory verses to all be correct rather than forcing a situation where one has to choose which scriptures to believe and which to ignore!

I would maintain that the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows the bible more literally and more completely than any other religion, with the bible itself supporting this.  But like most things theological, the Holy Spirit must be relied upon to discern truth.

As the bible states the being of God two different ways, I don't see how mainstream Christianity can assume the Mormon church is wrong and they are right.  You see, the only thing they  have to go on are guesses as to which scriptures are to be taken literally and which are not.

Since the bible contradicts itself on many points, it makes one wish someone with a pure knowledge could tell us the truth.  Anciently, someone with this ability was known as a prophet.  Hmmm.