Economics and Alma 11

I have always wondered why Moroni devoted so much space in the Book of Mormon to tell us about the Nephites money system; I haven't figured it out yet, but I did notice some interesting tidbits.

First off, Their currency was backed by grain (see verse 7, 15), it wasn't a fiat system
Second, "they did not reckon after the manner of the jews...neither did they measure after the manner of the jews." Mosiah actually established their money system when he instituted the reign of the judges, - Side note: Mosiah also set specifics as to what a judge was paid for his labor (verse 1) which seems to provide a form of check on the judges -and prevoius to this time "they altered their reckoning and measure, according to the minds and circumstances of the people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges." (verse 4) Why would he fix the currency? (This question is directed at those of you who know more about economics than.)

And finally, "[their] reckoning is thus:"

A Senine of gold = 1 Measure of Grain
A Seon of gold = 2 MoG
A Shum of gold = 4 MoG
A Limnah of gold = 7 MoG

A Senum of Silver = 1 MoG
An Amnor of silver = 2 MoG
An Ezrom of silver = 4 MoG
An Onti of silver = 7 MoG

A Shiblon = 1/2 MoG
A Shiblum = 1/4 MoG
A Leah = 1/8 MoG


An Antion = 3 Shiblons, or 1 1/2 MoG

Another interesting tidbit, Zeezrom offered Amulek 6 Ontis to deny Christ. 6 Ontis = 42 MoG.

Very cool, very odd. Any other ideas, specifically, why 1, 2, 4, 7? Why in the world is there an Antion? And do you think the reason it was included has anything to do with the economic system we'll have/create for Zion?

Railroad Crossing Essay

I amused myself with my essay so I thought I might Post it. It's nothing grand, and my punctuation's probably terrible, but hey, it's amusing. :)

Come with me for a moment into the realm of imagination: picture a Knight, strong, tall, armor glistening in the sun; our Knight is riding beautiful warhorse, riding to find his princess. Along his path is a terrible beast; Dragon: often Dragon will fly across his land, destroying, eating, and carrying away anything along it’s path. However, at the crossing the Knight plans to take, there is a warning signal that would let him know whether or not the Dragon is coming. The Knight arrives at the crossing, and lo and behold, the Dragon is coming , but instead of staying out of the Dragon’s path the Knight rushes forward to try and beat the Beast at it’s own game. But the Dragon’s to fast, it sees him, rushes forward, attacks! Fearlessly, the Knight draws his sword, and slays the Dragon; now he can finish his quest undisturbed.

Sadly, this is the attitude many have about railroad crossings, and because of this attitude, many have been injured, and killed at railroad crossings, and many loved ones have suffered grief and sorrow for their loss. Trains are not Dragons that can be slain, nor are you the only one at risk when you treat them as such. A better attitude to take is one of precision and care, like a man grilling a steak; this man, you see, pays attention to all of his surroundings, and all of the factors going in to making his steak perfect, - such as the weather around him, the heat of the grill, the size of the steak, how long each one has been on - and he will patiently wait until each is cooked through just enough, but no sooner, and once it’s done, he takes it off quickly so as not to burn is precious steak.

So too with railroad crossings: Patience, precision, and being aware of one’s surroundings. For example, When driving up to a railroad crossing, instead of foolishly charging forward without fear one should slow down and, like the man cooking his steak, observe your surroundings; notice the weather, notice your speed, notice your distance from the train tracks, notice the warning signals. In order to more fully be able to do this, the man must remove all other distractions, because a man, according to Brian Regan, has boxes in his mind, each contains one topic, and he can’t have more than one box open at a time; when driving, although in reality you may be able to have more than one box open at a time, it is a good practice not to; this would entail turning down/off the radio, not texting or talking on a phone while driving, etc. Unlike the Knight, the man cooking his steak is patient, he knows good things come to those who wait, namely a good dinner; when waiting at railroad tracks, even if you can’t see the train coming, or it seems a long way off, don’t rush; take your time. It’s better to eat a well cooked steak than raw meat, just as it is better to be safe, than sorry; unlike the Knight, you can’t slay the train. Don’t try, or you could end up dead meat.

My Self

Just a little story I wrote...Maybe I'll turn it into a poem sometime in the future.

I used to be happy, so free that I'd soar - through the air, in the clouds, above the tallest tree - and when I'd land, coming down to earth, others would join me on wings of new life

Together we'd fly, together gazing at earths grand wonders, going, climbing, higher we'd soar.

But along the way, through the journey of life, I lost myself in some unknown land;

not noticing at first I went on my way. Time went on, I found I could no longer fly, I was heavy,

and sad.

Lost in a wilderness unknown I wandered,

for you see, my Self was also my compass,

it showed my where to go; my Self showed me how to go, but self was lost, and so was I.

As days went by, I saw others who's Selves were not lost, I saw them soar above, reaching down when I needed help the most. I tried to follow them, but it didn't feel right;

their Selves were different from mine, and I couldn't follow them long before I was lost again.

I began to notice there were walls all around, I was stuck, I couldn't get out unless I could fly.

Though I knew my Self was gone, I had to try. So I tried, again, and again, and again.

I had to fly, "I must," thought I, "If I'm ever going to find me self again.

But I must find myself if I am to fly again once more."

At times despair got the better of me, I let myself fall, but "Once More! Just One More Try!"

Something kept calling from inside.

I did, I gave it one more try, the best effort I had, all the strength I could muster;

and you know what happened?

I began to fly!

I found my Self! I found it.

All along it was inside me, waiting to fly, waiting for me to unlock the small room I had stuffed it inside.

My poor Self, I had not lost it, but cruelly confined it inside the dungeon of my heart.

For years it had sat there trying to get out, chained down with heavy iron,

just like me.

I'm not quite sure why it so deep, why I locked myself up in a room with no key,

but I think it might have something to do with a feeling of shame,

because someone had criticized my Self, and I was embarrassed.

So I shoved it down far, as far as I could reach, but not all at once, just bit by bit,

until it was gone, and could not return.

By being myself, as I was when I had my Self, by trying again, and again, and again,

with each try I uncovered some part, scraped off a layer of pride, and uncovered my heart;

then, with the last and final try, with all power of will I could find, I opened my heart,

and my Self was free.

And now that I'm found, now that my Self is free, I can soar once again,

through the air, in the clouds, above the tallest tree - and when I land, coming down to earth, others will join me on wings of new life.

Together we'll fly, together gazing at earths grand wonders, going, climbing, higher we'll soar.