Changes

How glad I am to be with you this evening, and I am eager now to hear your [[voices]], one with the other. Are there questions? Commentary? Please.

How glad I am to be with you this evening, and I am eager now to hear your [[voices]], one with the other. Are there questions? Commentary? Please.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Elizabeth: There's been a lot of commentary about character in regard to this election which I find very interesting, no matter what party we belong to. I think it's actually been very helpful to me. I feel that it has, in thinking of the subject, and I'm so glad that we're still examining it. I think that there's so much there for us to think about. Just a comment.

Elizabeth: There's been a lot of [[commentary]] about [[character]] in regard to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1996 this election] which I find very interesting, no matter what party we belong to. I think it's actually been very helpful to me. I [[feel]] that it has, in [[thinking]] of the subject, and I'm so glad that we're still [[examining]] it. I think that there's so much there for us to think about. Just a comment.

TOMAS: Yes, I understand that your political parties, particularly your Republican party is being very vocal in its current status in the political arena of your country: the GOP convention, I believe, is the phrase. I understand how your system works but in a cursory way. I am not a politician, according to their terms, and I am not going to allow myself or this configuration to become embroiled in a political discourse, for as I said earlier, your various courages are strong in the mindal realms and our format is not to KO each other at the voting booth, but to grow in the spiritual kingdom.

TOMAS: Yes, I [[understand]] that your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party political parties], particularly your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_partyRepublican party is being very vocal in its current [[status]] in the political arena of your country: the GOP convention, I believe, is the phrase. I understand how your system works but in a cursory way. I am not a [[politician]], according to their terms, and I am not going to allow myself or this [[configuration]] to become embroiled in a [[political]] [[discourse]], for as I said earlier, your various [[courages]] are strong in the mindal realms and our format is not to KO each other at the [[voting]] booth, but to grow in [[the spiritual kingdom]].

Your remark regarding character brings to my mind that the character of (forgive the phrase) "stardom," and "show business" seems to be the prevalent characteristic of the political arena of your country at this time. It would be most interesting if these displays of character could be believed year round, if they could be touted regularly, rather than only at "show time." It is grievous to me, as it is to you, I am sure, to see the delight they all seem to find in assassinating the character of the alleged foe.

Your remark regarding [[character]] brings to my mind that the character of (forgive the phrase) "[[stardom]]," and "[[show business]]" seems to be the prevalent characteristic of the [[political]] arena of your country at this time. It would be most interesting if these displays of [[character]] could be believed year round, if they could be touted regularly, rather than only at "show time." It is [[grievous]] to me, as it is to you, I am sure, to see the delight they all seem to find in [[assassinating]] the [[character]] of the alleged [[foe]].

It is always heartwarming to see when two great powers can set aside their differences and work together for a united whole. I have been apprised of some minor instances, but unfortunately the competitive nature of your two-party system has brought the political arena to a point where the courage of the individual is seldom seen. It is the courage, rather, of the platform which speaks the greater truths, and the platforms, as I see them, are standing on shaky scaffolding.

It is always heartwarming to see when two great [[powers]] can set aside their [[differences]] and work [[together]] for a united whole. I have been apprised of some minor instances, but unfortunately the [[competitive]] [[nature]] of your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-party_system two-party system] has brought the political arena to a point where the [[courage]] of the [[individual]] is seldom seen. It is the courage, rather, of the [[platform]] which speaks the greater [[truths]], and the platforms, as I see them, are standing on shaky [[scaffolding]].

If we were to discuss individual leaders, it might lead to some interesting character studies, but as I have forewarned, I am not going to do that. I am not interested in the character of a politician but in the character of a God-knowing kingdom believer who has assented to follow Christ, to follow truth, to follow God into new ways of leading and following new ways of life.

If we were to [[discuss]] individual [[leaders]], it might lead to some interesting [[character]] [[studies]], but as I have forewarned, I am not going to do that. I am not interested in the character of a [[politician]] but in the character of a God-knowing kingdom believer who has assented to follow [[Christ]], to follow [[truth]], to follow God into new ways of leading and following new ways of [[life]].

I will not discourage, however, your involvement, for it has been said and it is true, that as intelligent human beings, as members of your society, it does you well to become involved in what interests you and how it is that you feel that you can impact your world, your material existence, your society and its institutions. This is good for you to do. It is just not good for me.

I will not [[discourage]], however, your involvement, for it has been said and it is true, that as [[intelligent]] [[human being]]s, as members of your [[society]], it does you well to become involved in what interests you and how it is that you [[feel]] that you can [[impact]] your world, your material [[existence]], your [[society]] and its [[institutions]]. This is [[good]] for you to do. It is just not good for me.

Elizabeth: Well, I think I wanted to ask you a question because having come back from the [[IC 96 TeaM|conference]] -- and you were there, Tomas, I'm given to [[understand]] -- I [[thought]] it was like being in the [[first mansion world]] and you've been there, you've been beyond it, and so I guess I'd love to have you comment on your [[observations]] from your point of view. I know we're all [[feeling]] you were there and you could sense the [[unity]] and the incredible [[spirit]], and I would just enjoy a comment from you on your [[observations]].

Elizabeth: Well, I think I wanted to ask you a question because having come back from the conference -- and you were there, Tomas, I'm given to understand -- I thought it was like being in the first mansion world and you've been there, you've been beyond it, and so I guess I'd love to have you comment on your observations from your point of view. I know we're all feeling you were there and you could sense the unity and the incredible spirit, and I would just enjoy a comment from you on your observations.

TOMAS: I am delighted to comment, as you can well [[imagine]]. As I have forewarned you, I am a chatty fellow, and I certainly have my [[observations]]. I will tell you, however, that you do yourself and your fellow men and women a disservice when you [[catapult]] yourself and the experience of the conference into the [[mansion worlds]], for you have stepped over neatly our [[goal]] here today, which is to bring about a condition on [[Urantia]] in the [[material]] [[existence]], in your actual material lives, as [[human being]]s in the flesh, a life, an involvement, a [[society]], a people which is imbued with [[God-consciousness]], which is exemplified by [[personalities]] steeped in living [[love]].

TOMAS: I am delighted to comment, as you can well imagine. As I have forewarned you, I am a chatty fellow, and I certainly have my observations. I will tell you, however, that you do yourself and your fellow men and women a disservice when you catapult yourself and the experience of the conference into the mansion worlds, for you have stepped over neatly our goal here today, which is to bring about a condition on Urantia in the material existence, in your actual material lives, as human beings in the flesh, a life, an involvement, a society, a people which is imbued with God-consciousness, which is exemplified by personalities steeped in living love.

Do not get in such a hurry to [[experience]] the [[mansion worlds]] when we have [[wondrous]] [[experiences]] to have here. Yes, I [[appreciate]] your [[enthusiasm]] and yes, by [[comparison]] to life as you know it in your realm, it was likely a [[morontia]] experience indeed, but be [[assured]] that this delightful array of [[humanity]] is entirely possible in your native realm if the appropriate [[loyalties]] are attempted and [[acted]] upon.

Do not get in such a hurry to experience the mansion worlds when we have wondrous experiences to have here. Yes, I appreciate your enthusiasm and yes, by comparison to life as you know it in your realm, it was likely a morontia experience indeed, but be assured that this delightful array of humanity is entirely possible in your native realm if the appropriate loyalties are attempted and acted upon.

Elizabeth: In other words I should think in terms of the days of l[[ight and life]] coming as a [[vision]] of those days? Is that what you're saying?

TOMAS: Absolutely! Not only are you in line to [[experience]] the days of light and life but you also have the [[advantage]] of your [[comfort zone]] of [[Urantia]], the beauties provided by the [[physical]] [[planet]]. Do not overlook your birthplace and the [[wonders]] here.

 

TOMAS: Absolutely! Not only are you in line to experience the days of light and life but you also have the advantage of your comfort zone of Urantia, the beauties provided by the physical planet. Do not overlook your birthplace and the wonders here.

Elizabeth: I see.

Elizabeth: I see.

TOMAS: It is not only the spiritual brotherhood that you aspire to, but the actual sphere being advanced into perfection -- air, water, forestry -- all these fundamental elements of your origin in harmony and cleanliness, pattern established to bring about efficiency and grace. So much can be attained here!

TOMAS: It is not only the spiritual [[brotherhood]] that you [[aspire]] to, but the actual sphere being advanced into [[perfection]] -- air, water, forestry -- all these fundamental [[elements]] of your [[origin]] in [[harmony]] and cleanliness, [[pattern]] established to bring about [[efficiency]] and [[grace]]. So much can be [[attained]] here!

As you well know and understand, on a world which has not been interrupted and retarded by default and rebellion (such as your history has experienced and which we have more often than not exposed), you would be in a realm of truth, beauty and goodness that would naturally bring you to an understanding, a study, of that which we call morontia mota, where the high philosophic thought bridges the lower spiritual concepts. This is an element of the morontia life which we are fostering because there are many of you who have hungered for truth and righteousness and have been isolated in the lonely spheres of a primitive society surrounded by darkness.

As you well know and [[understand]], on a world which has not been [[interrupted]] and [[retarded]] by [[default]] and [[rebellion]] (such as [[Part 3|your history]] has experienced and which we have more often than not [[exposed]]), you would be in a realm of [[truth, beauty, and goodness]] that would naturally bring you to an [[understanding]], a [[study]], of that which we call [[morontia mota]], where the high philosophic [[thought]] bridges the lower [[spiritual]] [[concepts]]. This is an element of the [[morontia life]] which we are fostering because there are many of you who have hungered for [[truth]] and [[righteousness]] and have been [[isolated]] in the lonely spheres of a [[primitive]] society [[surrounded]] by [[darkness]].

Those of you who opt to be forerunners, who surge into the unknown in faith, with courageous loyalty to the truth of greater spirit reality, are being practiced and being exposed to those morontia mota which we teachers are helping to instill and stimulate in your minds with which you should have already been acquainted. It is, however, not your fault, and so we are trying to make up for the paucity of your historicity by bringing about glimpses of mota now.

Those of you who opt to be [[forerunners]], who surge into the [[unknown]] in [[faith]], with [[courageous]] [[loyalty]] to the truth of greater spirit [[reality]], are being [[practiced]] and being [[exposed]] to those [[morontia mota]] which [[we teachers]] are helping to instill and [[stimulate]] in your minds with which you should have already been acquainted. It is, however, not your [[fault]], and so we are trying to make up for the paucity of your [[historicity]] by bringing about [[glimpses]] of [[mota]] now.

But in view of the delights of mota and the morontia life, I implore you not to step over your potential paradise here on Urantia, for that truly is our work at hand.

But in view of the delights of [[mota]] and the [[morontia life]], I implore you not to [[step]] over your [[potential]] [[paradise]] here on [[Urantia]], for that truly is our work at hand.

Elizabeth: I'm really glad you helped me to think more clearly about my experience, because I am trying to sort it out and I felt that I wanted to get some philosophical understanding of what happens when you are in a large group of people who are thinking as these people that I was with are thinking. It brings about something that is absolutely incredible, in my opinion. I think Leah, too, experienced it and I know that the other women did, so I thank you for helping me to sort that out a little bit better. But it was a glimpse, a glimpse of something absolutely incredible.

Elizabeth: I'm really glad you helped me to think more clearly about my experience, because I am trying to sort it out and I felt that I wanted to get some philosophical understanding of what happens when you are in a large group of people who are thinking as these people that I was with are thinking. It brings about something that is absolutely incredible, in my opinion. I think Leah, too, experienced it and I know that the other women did, so I thank you for helping me to sort that out a little bit better. But it was a glimpse, a glimpse of something absolutely incredible.

Loreenia: What? No "Ha!"? (group chuckle) Nero always said, "Ha!" when he was talking about his (indistinguishable), but it seemed to touch everybody's heart.

Loreenia: What? No "Ha!"? (group chuckle) Nero always said, "Ha!" when he was talking about his (indistinguishable), but it seemed to touch everybody's heart.

===Closing===

===Closing===

TOMAS: I have great appreciation for those who have gone before me and paved the way. "Ha!" (group laughter) My dear ones, I am departing now. I am, as I said, glad to be with you again, glad to have us all back into the embrace of our immediate family, our cluster of apostolic students, our friends, indeed. Be good. Have fun. I'll see you at the party.

TOMAS: I have great appreciation for those who have gone before me and paved the way. "Ha!" (group laughter) My dear ones, I am departing now. I am, as I said, glad to be with you again, glad to have us all back into the embrace of our immediate family, our cluster of apostolic students, our friends, indeed. Be good. Have fun. I'll see you at the party.