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From what I have learned from my various travels and from fellow travelers, in order to have a successful journey in life, one needs to adequately answer the following questions:

Pre-journey questions--i.e.the planning phase:

1) Where am I going--i.e. what is my main objective and destination?
2) Why am I going there--i.e. what is my motivation and purpose?
3) Who all is going with me?
4) How will we get there?
a) What guidance and navigational tools are needed?
b) What measurement, evaluation, and assessment tools will be needed?
c) What is the best route to take?
d) What is the best mode of transportation?
e) What supplies are needed?
f) What resources will we need to utilize along the way?
g) What do we need to do to pay for all of this?

During the journey questions--i.e. the implementation phase:

5) How are we doing?
a) Are we effectively implementing and sticking to the plan?
b) Are we making reasonable progress?
c) How effective is the plan in getting us to where we planned to go?
6) What, if any, changes, corrections, improvements, or adaptations need to be made either to the implementation of the plan or to the plan itself?
7) How are the changes and so forth working in helping us to better reach our destination?

Can you think of any other general questions that may be wise to ask?

Do you agree that this is a viable way to help assure a successful life journey?

Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I would add, "What values and attributes will help me on my journey, and how can I develop them?" And, the converse: "What values and attributes will hinder my progress, and how can I avoid them?"

wenglund wrote:
Can you think of any other general questions that may be wise to ask?

Do you agree that this is a viable way to help assure a successful life journey?

Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Great way to plan a trip Weng.

I would add: Be flexible in your approach.

I fall under the category of one that has lost faith and belief in the Mormon paradigm. OZ seemed like a nice place, but somehow I found myself regaining consciousness on a farm in Kansas.

It's like planning a visit to the Twin Towers. I always wanted to go there and spit off of the highest point on one of them. But, alas, all my hoping, planning will not make that a reallity. So I'm still working out where to re-direct my itinerary mid-trip.

Now, when you get to that big hole, you may well start re-evaluating yours.

Regardless, sometimes it's more about the trip than the destination.

wenglund wrote:Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

That goes without saying. If it didn't provide answers, why would they believe?

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Obviously, it means that we don't find viable answers in your religion. Seems pretty obvious to me.

wenglund wrote:Do you agree that this is a viable way to help assure a successful life journey?

Sounds fine.

Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

Sure - for believers. But since no one really knows 'the purpose of the trip' or 'where we're going', etc., it's no better or worse than any other belief system - in terms of 'arriving' at the final destination.

I would say though, that it (the LDS church) makes the journey itself worse (but that's just me).

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Not much really - in terms of the final destination. But like i said, I think it makes the journey itself more enjoyable and fruitful. (but i'm sure it's different for everyone).

wenglund wrote:Can you think of any other general questions that may be wise to ask?

No, but I think it is VERY unwise to ask "Who is coming with me?" Perhaps, "Who am I following there?" but, even that, I would say is quite unwise. Any question that may even HINT at the possibility to control those around you has the possibility to bring frustration, anger, anxiety, and unwarrented control.

Do you agree that this is a viable way to help assure a successful life journey?

I would say it's definitely a way. Possibly viable, but I would also propose that it's an entirely unfulfilling and over-analized approach, that leaves little-to-no room for enjoying the journey -- it's far too goal-based.

Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

No. I think it purports to, but on closer inspection, gives faulty tools and guidance. Like packing a bunch of granola bars to feed you on the way, but the discovering it's nothing but chocolate -- it'll make you feel satisfied and even rather good on the short term, but in the long term is quite unhealthy.

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

It means that they have to look harder, and create stronger tools, and find smarter guidance. Or perhaps find a way to "Take the scenic route," and enjoy yourself on the way, instead of such intense focus on an invisible (and, IMHO, entirely boring) goal.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Much Welcome,

-Keene Maverick-

Wade, if life is like planning a trip, isn't that sort of like saying that you're choosing your own journey? And wouldn't the implication for those who don't go with you be that they merely wanted to go on vacation somewhere else? Some people would rather go to Mexico and some prefer Europe, right?

Now what if it weren't so? What if everyone wanted to go on the same trip? And what if the best way to get to the destination involved trekking through back country and canoing across your favorite lake? Is that what you really want? A lake jam-packed with canoes and everyone and their dog trudging through and pissing in your fresh powder?

Runtu wrote:I would add, "What values and attributes will help me on my journey, and how can I develop them?" And, the converse: "What values and attributes will hinder my progress, and how can I avoid them?"

I count values and the like under "guidance and navigational tools" as well as "measurement, evaluation, and assessment tools", but I agree that such questions are useful.

I would be particularly interested to learn from you and other unbelievers whether you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of the above questions? And, if so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

wenglund wrote:I would be particularly interested to learn from you and other unbelievers whether you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of the above questions? And, if so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I thought I already answered those two questions.

Inconceivable wrote:

wenglund wrote:
Can you think of any other general questions that may be wise to ask?

Do you agree that this is a viable way to help assure a successful life journey?

Do you agree that for believers, particularly in terms of the spiritual/eternal aspect of life's journey, the restored gospel of Christ provides viable answers to many of these questions?

If so, what does that mean for those who may lose faith and become unbelievers?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Great way to plan a trip Weng.

I would add: Be flexible in your approach.

I agree...and thought it implied in questions 6 and 7, though it doesn't hurt to state it more explicitly.

I fall under the category of one that has lost faith and belief in the Mormon paradigm. OZ seemed like a nice place, but somehow I found myself regaining consciousness on a farm in Kansas.

It's like planning a visit to the Twin Towers. I always wanted to go there and spit off of the highest point on one of them. But, alas, all my hoping, planning will not make that a reallity. So I'm still working out where to re-direct my itinerary mid-trip.

Now, when you get to that big hole, you may well start re-evaluating yours.

Regardless, sometimes it's more about the trip than the destination.

As it happens, In fulfillment of my own dream, I was privileged to stand atop one of the twin towers (I believe tower #2) in the early 90's, though because the observation platform stood way back from the edge of the building, my spit wouldn't have traveled very far even were I to have wanted to spit.

But, I get what you are saying. Destinations do change, and in some ways it is as much about the journey as it is the destination--and this because the destination cannot be reached without taking the journey.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-