No Coincidences

Tag: build

  • Creation – Artificial Intelligence

    Creation – Artificial Intelligence

    Humans create.

    They have children – procreate.

    They think and build. They imagine and construct. They design and fashion. They draw and fantasize and daydream and reconstruct and deconstruct and type and scribble and connect and disconnect and… create.

    As I type, I create. This blog post likely never existed before and likely will never exist, exactly as it is, again (or will it..eternity..brain explode..I don’t know, move on).

    We create so much.

    Isn’t it fascinating to watch humans create?

    I just got sucked into the rabbit hole of AI technology: where it is now, where it could go (spoiler – we have no idea), what it’s doing, what it could do (spoiler – we have no idea).

    At least one brilliant mind is seriously concerned about the fate of humanity over this new creation.

    We’ve all seen Terminator, right? Artificial Intelligence gains self-awareness. Humans try to deactivate it. Artificial Intelligence, in defending itself, launches a nuclear holocaust on humanity. Seems far-fetched, right?

    Well…

    Look at all the creations of humans.

    We create and we create.

    And yet, we can’t figure out how to get along. We can’t agree. We can’t govern ourselves. We can’t take care of each other. We are flawed. We create and we create. And in our creation, there is so much destruction.

    I’m pondering the bigger picture.

    By all historical accounts, humans should not be allowed to create. Or at least, very few should.

    This life, this world, is a testing ground, a sandbox, a play area. We can thrash around and create and destroy and try our hand at being God and see how horribly it goes.

    We will exist for eternity. What if what we’ve seen here, on earth, shows what we could do (if allowed to do so) in an eternity of our creation? So long galaxies, humans have arrived and we’re here to destroy.

    What an experience this life is, to see what we create.

    To see if we can be trusted.

    To see what we do with power, and thought, and imagination.

    I brought up AI because here is another thing we have created. Will it destroy us? It seems so crazy, until it’s not.

    J. Robert Oppenheimer knew too well, too late, what he had created.

    We have no idea where artificial intelligence will go. It is becoming increasingly realistic that it could destroy us. Science fiction becomes our reality every day.

    I have some beliefs about how this world will end, but the details are fuzzy. Humanity will attempt to destroy itself. Through greed and selfishness, hatred and violence, we will self-destruct.

    What role does our technology play in that?

    I heard a near-death-experiencer recently talk about his experience when he died in the mid 2000s. One of the key warnings he was given was to be careful with technology. Control it, don’t let it control you.

    Already today we see a generation becoming controlled by technology. Don’t believe me? Walk outside. How many people are enjoying the weather, “unplugged”? How many have earbuds, wires, phones, screens, devices protruding from their ears, eyes, heads, and hands?

    Technology is wonderful.

    Technology is dangerous.

    We have a limited time in this life to create.

    Many of us won’t play key roles in developing AI technology or shaping the world in (seemingly) grand ways. Still, you create.

    What do you spend your time on?

    What do you create?

  • The Rock Christ would Build His Church Upon

    The Rock Christ would Build His Church Upon

    In a book called The Forerunners by Mark E. Petersen, I was introduced to an interpretation of a scripture that I’d read and heard quoted a thousand times.  The truth of the interpretation was so clear I couldn’t believe I’d lived so long with such a clear misunderstanding of the meaning of that important scripture.

    The verse is Matthew 16:18 which reads:

    18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

    Let’s give some context to this important passage.

    Jesus was with His apostles and He asked a simple question:  Who do the people say I am? (verse 13)

    They responded with some of the rumors out there – Some thought Jesus was the returned John the Baptist, some thought Elias, others thought Jeremias or another of the prophets.  (verse 14)

    Jesus asked, who do you say I am? (verse 15)

    Peter, Jesus’s first apostle responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (verse 16)

    Christ responds, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (Peter): for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

    Which leads us to our important verse and the part I always misunderstood.

    Christ says to Peter, “thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”

    One more quick review to make the point clear:

    1. Christ says who am I?
    2. Peter answers – you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
    3. Christ responds – blessed are you, for flesh and blood (man) has not revealed this but my Father who is in heaven has revealed this to you.
    4. Christ, in responding to Peter stating properly that He is the Christ, says “thou art Peter.”
    5. Then, adding to what Jesus said about the truth being revealed to Peter by God, Jesus says, “and upon this rock I will build my church.”

    Christ wasn’t saying the church would be built on Peter.  Christ’s Church couldn’t be built on anyone’s shoulders but His own.  Additionally, Christ is adding that the testimony of Him could only be received by man from Heavenly Father, more specifically the Holy Spirit.  The rock of Christ’s Church would be Christ Himself, and the testimony of Christ only comes by revelation from the Holy Spirit.  Not by flesh or blood, but by Heavenly Father and personal revelation.  Thus, the rock of Christ’s Church would be personal revelation that Jesus is the Christ.

    I was always so confused by this scripture.  Why would the rock, the sure foundation of Christ’s Church be on anyone but Christ?  How could Peter be the foundation?  He is not.  There is only one foundation.  There is only one name by which we can receive salvation, there is only one person who can save us.  That is Jesus Christ.  The Son of the living God.  Our Savior and King.

    My foundation - $Christ ministries$

    This scripture, when properly read, emphasizes the importance of coming to a personal testimony that Jesus is the Christ.  We’re reminded that the testimony of Christ does not come from man.  It comes from personal revelation.  It is unfortunate that personal revelation has been removed from much of modern Christianity.  Modern Christian churches say the heavens are closed and God speaks to us no longer.  He only speaks to us through His ancient word.  But what of today?  How do we come to a testimony of Jesus Christ but through revelation from heaven and the Holy Spirit?

    If God no longer speaks to man then man can no longer receive testimony of Jesus Christ.  But men receive testimony of Jesus Christ daily.  Every day millions worship Jesus Christ.  Every day thousands come to the realization that only through Christ can they be saved.

    Revelation is alive.  The Holy Spirit talks to us daily.  He reveals the testimony of Christ to the hearts of man.  God speaks to us;  through scripture, through prophets, and most importantly through the Holy Ghost.

    A quote from William Barclay of the Church of Scotland:

    “The rock is the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God.  To Peter that great truth had been divinely revealed.  It was God Himself who had opened Peter’s eyes to that great discovery.  The fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is indeed the foundation stone of the Church’s faith and belief.  On that great truth the Church is founded for ever and ever.  This explanation holds that the divinely revealed truth that Jesus is the Son of God is the only foundation on which the Church is founded.”

    The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.

    It was restored to point men to Christ.  His name is in the name of His Church.

    Jesus Christ still is actively interested and engaged in the affairs of man.  Under the direction of His Father, our Father, He sent an angel named Moroni to reveal an ancient record to his modern-day prophet.  He, through the Holy Spirit, directed and guided Joseph Smith through the translation of a record that would make clear His doctrine and the saving ordinances of His gospel. Not to replace the Bible, but to add a second testimony to it.

    The testimony of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and my testimony is this: Jesus Christ lives.  He directs His church.  He loves all and wants us all to return to Him.

    This is the foundation of His Church.

    “Build firmly upon the rock of your Redeemer. Treasure His life and teachings. Follow His example and commandments. Embrace the powerful gifts of His Atonement. As you do, I promise you that you will see the [challenges of life] for what they are, [and] the spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure.” From #ElderAndersen’s pinterest.com/pin/24066179229002852 inspiring #LDSconf facebook.com/223271487682878 message lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds #ShareGoodness