In the longest study ever conducted, inter-generational researchers from Harvard discovered that the primary reason some people flourished during life, while others failed, was due to ADAPTATION.

Those who suffered abrupt changes in life and who could accept and adapt to new ways were able to live well into old age. Those who were brittle, unchanging and harsh in temperament regarding loss were among the bitter, poorer and dead.

I read The Harvard Study (book) when I was delayed by a snowstorm in 1973 in the lobby of the Hotel Utah. I stayed there overnight, invited to help myself to the many magazines and books.

I never forget that it was vital to be real, to change quickly, to stay nimble, in order to prosper. All people and every institution survices only by being adaptive. The others get discarded by the flow of human progress.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/3170421-155/whatever-happened-to-the-hotel

Look at elderly members of society. See the flame within the more 'alive' ones? See the stiff pride in those who disapprove of many things?

The LDS church wants to survive. This means, they will adapt to the game...as time goes by.

George Vaillant headed the study of Harvard Graduates to see who best succeeded and who worst failed, and why.

There is much to learn from the findings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V316QHxoe4

Here was a boy who experienced horrific beginings but later evolved into a most tender man, in order to survive.

I see the Mormon church struggling the same way, over the decades.

In 189 years, it has gone from monolithic to fractured and tender. If it continues to adapt, it just might end upwell-loved.

If you can set aside your anger at the scams and pot holes of life...,you may see the changes that are most rewarding in yourself and in any institutions that wrestle, just like me and you.

Growth occurs even in the apparently-dead, too.

The purpose of life is to grow, so that you may influence others to grow also.

It's just that simple, no matter how much, or little, you may ever learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_m054tLKvs

see also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE

MORAL: The greatest fruit comes from the least likely sources.

This was written by a (you decide):

http://themindunleashed.com/2017/02/rule-brute-force-true-nature-government.html

The truth is ugly. It always has been. It always will be.

that article could have been written about the european political union who have also granted their parliament similar draconian powers under one 'appointed' individual - and granted the right to secrecy from the electorate on these matters concerning 'defense' - and are now (since the UK voted to leave the union) pushing for an army of their very own, to be based mainly in Germany. They need this apparently because NATO is so strong and valued so dearly by them (sarcasm). I'd say it is NATO's resources which they value.