Faith and Archaeology

Recently for some reason I was looking for some type of religious based material on youtube.com.  I wanted something a little different then the norm and happened to fall into videos on archaeology and the Book of Mormon.


What I find interesting is that there are people trying to prove or disprove the Book of Mormon or other scripture for that matter based on the archaeological record and what has been found or not found.

These videos covered everything from horses in the Americas to where the lands referenced in the Book of Mormon really lay.

You see these two things don't directly mesh together.  A testimony of the Bible, Book of Mormon or other scripture comes not from hard proof.  It comes from study, faith, prayer and putting the principles to the test.
Same thing goes for some of these self help or improvement books.  You see something that seems interesting and that you might want to improve.  You get the book out of curiosity, and then as you read it you will either quick feel good about the material or not.  Then you might have faith that if you apply the principles given in the book you can change things.
That is where the proving part comes in.  The same to a certain extent is what you do with scripture.

Moroni 10: 3-4
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

So when the archaeologists go looking around for the place the ark landed when the flood stopped or the precise location along the river Jordan that Christ was baptized or the actual location of the narrow neck of land referenced in the Book of Mormon are they doing so due to faith and a testimony of the truthfulness of the events they are trying to prove or is it something else.

There are many well meaning people doing this research.  From biblical location to those in the Americas.  Are they really building a testimony based on faith, study and prayer or are they trying to go beyond that?

Will you believe less in the bible if they can not find a certain city mentioned, or the tomb where Jesus lay?  For most it will not diminish they faith and testimony.  For some it appears that it does or can effect things.  One person tried to locate many things associated with the Book of Mormon.  For some reason after a time of limited returns this person lost their testimony in the the Book of Mormon because of the lack of evidence.  Kind of silly really.

To say you believe in the teachings and principles in a book which is declared to be scripture and then to turn around and say - sorry due to the fact we can not find the city Zarahemla, or Manti I'm not believing in this book any more.

Alma 5:46 & 5:26

46 Behold, I say unto you they are made ^aknown unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have ^bfasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of ^crevelation which is in me.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a ^achange of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the ^bsong of redeeming love, I would ask, ^ccan ye feel so now?

See he knew of the truthfulness by way of fasting and pray and confirmation via the Holy Ghost.  Not by having found the holy grail, or a hidden city or confirmation that horses existed before the Spaniards in the Americas.
also a good question is posed.  Can you feel so now?  That question is key.   Are you still getting confirmations about the scriptures you are reading?  Are you feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life.   If not.... why?

These two concepts are really diametrically opposed to one another.  One is founded in faith, the other is founded in a lack there of.   You see will you believe the Book of Mormon just because someone finds a ruined city fully preserved that has a perfect depiction of Christ descending out of the heavens and having people feel his wounds?  I'm going to guess not.


So why is there so much archaeology going on that is trying to prove the things mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
For that matter why so much research into the ancient civilization in any part of the world.

Is it for understanding?  Is it to prove something many are not believing?
It could very well be all of that.

You see there confirmations made by researchers and archaeologists is really just the icing on the cake.  You can be turned off by a lack of icing or even badly applied icing on a cake.
The more appealing it is the more likely you will want to partake of the rest of the cake.  That is when you bit into the middle or hidden portions within the cake.  This too must have a certain appeal but, the taste and texture is what will win you over.  Same with the scriptures.  As you get beyond the icing or physical, superficial facts, locations, finding etc you will get into the meat of the subject.  You will get into the principles that can really change your life.  They too have to be appealing but, it is the ability to feel the spirit and see the results of those principles that will make you want to continue you on.  The really good cake will even make you want to get some more... it will cause you to thirst for additional satisfaction you find there in.   So so cake or that which is to piled high with frosting or lacking in quality internal ingredients will leaving you wanting for something else.

Good balance with substance beyond the fluff

Where is the cake?

The same can be applied to Book of Mormon archaeology.  If you pile it on to high they will over look the good stuff in the middle or maybe be diverted from finding the good stuff in the middle due to piles of fluff and icing.  We really have to be careful with over doing the proof part for the Book of Mormon.  Let us use the icing sparingly and then make sure to find the right stuff on the inside that will help keep us satisfied.



Can You Feel So Now? - Elder Quentin L. Cook


So if you want a copy of the book to read for yourself.  CLICK HERE

You can put it to the test yourself.

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Can there be to "Perfect" of Data

As we deal with the deluge of data that is being collected and presented everyday do we spend too much time striving for perfection of said data when we could be spending our efforts better else where?

That is what I want to talk about.  The idea that perfection in data is necessary in some instances but, getting past the potential issues with a set of data can help us to move towards understanding the big picture.  What might this big picture be?   Sudden drop off in sales of a specific product or product area.  Increasingly negative feedback about a product, company or service.
These things do not require that we have perfect data.  We rarely need to dig down into the details so much that it matters.  What matters is you see a trend.  People are not buy that item any more.  Why?

You might also notice via the analysis of big data that sales in a certain region are very low compared to another.  If you in the snow chain business you will likely sell a lot more in Michigan than say Florida or South California.   Now you might see other trends that indicate that there is little movement in certain border snow areas.  That might leads to evaluation of additional marketing in those areas.  Maybe even evaluation of pricing or product placement.  The details come following the identification of a trend.  You might even identify untapped market areas or complimentary products you will want to sell.

Big data by its nature does not allow for detailed analysis.  You have to much data your dealing with.
So that is where the idea of trying to be to perfect in the data might make you slow to react to a trend.
If your spending to much time worrying about the "quality" of the data you might be missing out on the chance to find a trend or insight.  if you delay to long you might even miss the window of opportunity with a product.
One issues brought up was the merging together of multiple databases or sets of data from say 2 companies that just merged.  Do you want to wait 6-12 months while you work out the details of getting the data merged together properly.  Take the data set independent of each other, find the trends then go dig in the details when you notice some overlap.

Take the rainbow loom for example.  If someone just now is deciding they need to jump on this band wagon that might be 6 -12 months late to the show and the opportunity likely has been missed.
As you might start to see anecdotal information indicating its popularity is weaning.  New products launch with that information at hand can make a big difference.
You also have to make a concerted effort to look at the origin of the data in question.  Are you compiling a bunch of customer data from say web page visits or are you tagging into internal sales figures.  This will also help you decide how much time you need to spend making the data "perfect".

A great case example was given of Amazon.  They compile piles and piles of data on related searches and click throughs on products.  They have become very good at offering complimentary products and related items that might be of interest to the person on the site.  They have learned you don't have to be perfect in the suggestions provided.  Depending on which way it is being offered you can be fairly general and have a bunch of misses in the pile.  Not so bad.  On the other hand bundles need to be more on target.




"Amazon is good at this because they don’t worry about everybody. They develop a model where they’re eventually going to get a consistent model of the world, but at the moment they need to do it, they don’t care that they can’t roll it out for everyone. They’ve got hundreds of millions of clicks a day, and they figure, why don’t we just look at 20% of them? The key thing is to do it quickly and to make sure that whatever we conclude, there are many observations for it."  
"This is when the term “analytics” becomes interesting. Analytics doesn’t have to be based on super-precise data. That doesn’t again mean wrong data, but it might mean some outcome that wins for the customer. If you profile a jazz CD that people didn’t know they wanted, and some people buy it, great. The fact that some of the 100,000 people that you showed it to didn’t buy that CD is irrelevant."
Sid Probstein:Why Companies Have to Trade “Perfect Data” for “Fast Info”


The whole concept here is whether you worry about getting that last 5-10% of the data right (so you can have some potential increase in sales for example) or just live with what you have and go for the 5-6% increase (generally lesser increase) in sales that can come from that data.  The trade off is how much time and effort do you want to spend on "fixing" or getting right the last little bit of data for some small even minute additional increase?

Everything has to be in context.  You need perfection in say medical records, and even in medical billing but, do you need that perfection before you can do something.  To take action you have to decide at what level is this stuff have to be accurate.  Can it be 70-80% or does it have to be 95-100%.  Granted due to the ever changing issues with data and the dynamic nature of things you will find a "perfect" set of data may be 98% accurate.

IN some ways are we blessed by all the additional information at our finger tips.  Have we gotten away form the big picture?
Think of our ancestors some 300-400 years ago.   They may not have had the advantage of satellite imagery to help deal with a storm.  They always looked at the big picture and then when they saw a trend they would go for the details so that could properly plan.

We definitely need to get back to this type of analysis.  And not be overly jumpy to move on things if just a little bit more time or patience might be in order!




articles worth reading

Why Companies Have to Trade “Perfect Data” for “Fast Info”
Engineering The Perfect Big-Data Bra 
Obamacare: a lesson in data entry design
5 Reasons Why Consumer Collaboration and Big Data Are a Perfect Match
Predictive Data Delivering The Perfect Pricing Fit
Healthcare Data’s Perfect Storm
Digging through the Data: How to Separate Quality from Quantity


Buaidh - NO -Bas

Fundraising Opportunities

As we head into  a new year I have the chance to reflect on some of the many way to fund raise for my daughter's genetic condition - NF.

One new one I have found out about is the Cupid's Undie Run

This event has been going on for a couple of years now within the Children's Tumor Foundation, however, due to expansion it is for the first time being held in places like Los Angeles.
It's a basic idea really.   You plan on running around in your bedroom best in February and latter celebrate at the host location.
Those that raise a predetermined amount of funds can get access to the open bar.  Because so many people partake of alcoholic beverages and the needed amount of donations is so low this becomes a fairly popular way of being able to get drunk for a good cause.  I would not say this is my first choice in fund raising but, an inventive way for those that are a bit more worldly.
(Writers note:  I do not and have not consumed alcoholic beverages)

The other fund raising avenue is the Racing 4 Research associated to the 24 hours of Daytona endurance race.
Children's Tumor Foundation has been doing this even for about 5 years.  They have raised over 2 million dollars for research.  That is an amazing amount of money especially since the first couple of years their involvement was very small.


What is so great about Racing 4 Research?   It's a great little event that you can focus on.  It has national appeal in the fact is is auto racing.  Almost everyone can get excited about an endurance race.  It meshes in well with the challenges faced by those that have NF.   IN all it is wonderful. 

And you can have associated view parties and get togethers for this even in almost any location.  It not like a typical event that needs to have everyone present for it to work.  One day if w are lucky we will head on out to Florida and see the event live.


So if you'd like to join us for one of the many race parties nationwide please do

Please Join the  CA Chapter for a Racing4Research Race Day Viewing Party
Saturday, January 26, 2013
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location:
BJ’s Brew House & Restaurant 3525 W. Carson Street, Suite 168
Torrance, CA

For additional information contact: Kelly Mills at kmills@ctf.org or 310-216-9570.
RSVP by Jan. 22  (pizza, salad, and dessert will be donated by BJ’s)
view last years efforts @ the following link
http://youtu.be/Tueuw163Uds


and please don't forget to donate to one of the local NF Heroes in a local near you:  See list of NF-Heroes


Buaidh - NO - Bas

San Diego, CA NF Walk 2012

San Diego, CA NF Walk

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Join us for the San Diego NF Walk to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

This is a great opportunity for children, family and friends to connect at a community event and draw support from each other while raising awareness and funds for neurofibromatosis (NF) research. NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. There is no cure nor are there effective treatments for NF.

Step up and support this important cause today:

Register
Support a participant
Donate

For more information about the San Diego NF Walk contact Kelly Mills at kmills@ctf.org or at 310-216-9570. For website support contact Chrissie Connors, at cconnors@ctf.org or at 212-344-6633 x8544.

Thank you for supporting the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s mission to end NF! To learn more about CTF visit www.ctf.org.

We Reward You for Fundraising!

Fundraise $100 and you will receive a Children's Tumor Foundation pedometer.	Each walker who personally raises $500 or more will get an official Children's Tumor Foundation tote bag.

 

Facts & Statistics

·	NF has been classified into three distinct types; NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis. They are caused by different genes, located on different chromosomes.
·	NF1 is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene; occuring in one in every 3,000 children born.
·	NF2 is a rarer type, occurring in 1:25,000 people worldwide.
·	While today there is no consensus, studies indicate that schwannomatosis occurs in 1:40,000 people, similar to NF2.
·	The Neurofibromatoses are genetically-determined disorders which affect more than 2 million people worldwide; this makes NF more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's Disease combined.
·	All forms of NF are autosomal dominant genetic disorders which can be inherited from a parent who has NF or may be the result of a new or "spontaneous mutation" (change) in the sperm or egg cell.
·	Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene and developing NF. The type of NF inherited by the child is always the same as that of the affected parent, although the severity of the manifestations may differ from person to person within a family.
·	NF is worldwide in distribution, affects both sexes equally and has no particular racial, geographic or ethnic distribution. Therefore, NF can appear in any family.
·	Although most cases of NF1 are mild to moderate, NF1 can lead to disfigurement; blindness; skeletal abnormalities; dermal, brain, and spinal tumors; loss of limbs; malignancies; and learning disabilities.
·	NF1 also has a connection to developmental problems, especially learning disabilities, which are five times more common in the NF1 population than in the general population.
·	The distinguishing feature of NF2 is tumors that grow on the eighth cranial nerve in both ears, commonly causing deafness and severe balance problems.
·	NF2 brings on increased risk of other types of nervous system tumors as well.
·	NF2 can also cause severe vision problems, including cataracts, retinal abnormalities and orbital tumors.
·	Accordingly, NF research may benefit an additional 100 million Americans (i.e. 65 million with cancer and 35 million with learning disabilities).
·	NF is not the "Elephant Man's Disease," although it was at one time believed to be. Scientists now believe that John Merrick, the so-called "Elephant Man," had Proteus Syndrome, an entirely different disorder.
·	NF research began eighteen years ago by the Children's Tumor Foundation, and has been enormously productive ever since.

 

Buaidh - NO - Bas