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Issue 12
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We all Had Fun at
the Fair Pat Murnin |
By Pat Murnin On the weekend of December 4, 5 and 6th, many readers from the Northwest Urantia Association had the privilege to volunteer our services to work with Paula Thompson in the in The URANTIA Book booth at the Whole Life Expo held in Portland at the Convention Center. First off, I would like to give a round of applause to Paula, who is the Director of the Jesusonian Foundation, and to the Urantia Book Fellowship for their loving commitment to present The URANTIA Book to a hungry planet. The booth was of the highest, most functional quality, and Paula’s presentation of The URANTIA Book and related materials was done in a very loving and helpful way. This is a great service for the Urantia movement, and for the men, women and children who are getting introduced to The URANTIA Book through this service. A JOB WELL DONE! I knew beforehand that this was going to be a warm and educational experience. One of the things that I found interesting about working the booth was the number of people that would walk up and say that they had purchased a URANTIA Book twenty years ago, and have never read it. There were some of them who I felt were going to go home and dig it out after our brief visit. But it was my impression that there are a lot of unused books floating around out there. Oh well, I guess they are just seeds that are riding the winds right now, and they will take root at some point in the future. Someone is bound to pick them up sometime. We talked to many people who were having their first contact with the book, and some who had been reading the book for years alone, never knowing any other readers existed. It was truly a wonderful way to spend a weekend. Once again, my thanks to Paula for the opportunity to help with this project, and I know we will get a chance to do it again in the future.
By Nathen Jansen On November 6 to November 8, 1998, the URANTIA Foundation held a planning session for the dissemination of The URANTIA Book. We attended workshops on Saturday which were designed to explore practical and effective ways of doing what we have been asked to do: spread the teachings of the Fifth Epochal Revelation. The five workshops in particular were entitled: Leaders and Teachers; Study Groups; Education; The Role of Service Groups; and Translations. These workshop sessions are intended to be ‘a beginning of a new surge of teamwork and service.’ The study session ended with a semi-formal dinner and dance which began with a beautiful remembrance supper. At the dinner reception, The URANTIA Foundation displayed a selection of new dust jackets for the UB which we were asked to vote on. There were about fifteen styles, some of which were very extraordinary and attractive. The URANTIA Foundation has produced several new booklets which were also made available during the weekend. The titles were as follows: Introduction to The URANTIA Book; The Translation Program; The Matthew Project; The Planned Giving Program The weekend was a great time to see old friends and meet new readers of the UB revelation. In Light & Life, Nathen and Kasandra Jansen
Janet Nilsen Saturday morning, October 10, NUA members and guests met in Portland at Pat Murnin’s home for our fall business meeting. The new IUA by-laws were voted upon and passed unanimously. Pat announced that a new position in charge of reader referrals needed to be filled. David Glass was asked to take on this task and he graciously accepted. Plans for our March meeting were discussed. Mark Alexander offered to look into booking a venue in Washington state for upcoming meetings. After concluding our business, we all lunched upon our President’s renowned 13-bean soup before heading over to the Paulist Center for our afternoon pro-gram, Doing the Father’s Will. Presenters included Laureen Oskochil, Inez Finstad, David Glass,and Bud Kagan - who traveled all the way from British Columbia for our event. Thanks to our speakers and guests who made this a special afternoon. NUA vice-president, Liz Engstrom led a worship group at Pat’s home the next morning. by Anne James Hello Friends, As this year rolls along, we’re heading into May, the month of membership renewal and dues. (Singles - $40.00 per year, couples - $60.00) With our membership we come together in support of the Foundation’s worldwide work of disseminating the Book, with its intensive responsibilities of printing, translations, etc. Locally we can do so much with the NUA teamwork effort to energize and serve our readership by a myriad of activities, such as sharing written articles, enjoying ffellowship at gatherings with all Urantia groups, and ongoing outreach action, to name a few. This appears to be a time of change and transition into the new and more noble and beautiful, if we dare, and all ideas, funds, time and energy in the NUA are deeply appreciated. Thank you!
Janet Nilsen Nothing stays the same for long, including this newsletter. Founding editor, MC, after 4 years of producing the Northwest URANTIAN to literally international acclaim, has decided to focus his energies on starting and maintaining the new NUA website. A veritable Cymboynton, Mario has left some mighty big shoes to fill. His humor, esthetic sensibilities and editorial balance have set a challenging standard of excellence. To me, he will always remain as our Editor Emeritus. Thanks Mario for all your countless hours of dedicated service! Hats off too to our own Bruce Porter for his two years of unstinting service as USUA President. Also, kudos to the new USUA Messenger staff: John Woodward, editor; Jeanette Schafer, managing editor; and Morris Kaplowitz, website editor.
In search of an expanding truth —Jacques Lecouturier What the Urantia Book tells us. "In the mortal state, nothing can be absolutely proved; both science and religion are predicated on assumptions... All divisions of human thought are predicated on certain assumptions which are accepted, though unproved, by the constitutive reality sensitivity of the mind endowment of man (1139.b). But logic can never succeed in harmonizing the findings of science and the insights of religion unless both the scientific and the religious aspect of a person are truly dominated, sincerely desirous of following the truth wherever it may lead regardless of the conclusions which it may reach. (1138c). What both developing science and religion need is more searching and fearless self-criticism, a greater awareness of the incompleteness in evolutionary status. There always exists the danger that the purely physical scientist may become afflicted with mathematical pride and statistical egotism, not to mention spiritual blindness (1476d). The teachers of both science and religion are often altogether too self-confident and dogmatic. Science and religion can only be self-critical of their facts. The moment departure is made from the stage of facts, reason abdicates or else rapidly degenerates into a consort of false logic (1138d). Intelligent men should cease to reason like children and should attempt to use the consistent logic of adulthood, logic which tolerates the concept of truth alongside the observation of fact (1125c). In the fraternal realities of the kingdom of heaven, the Faith sons of God find final deliverance from the isolation of self, both personal and planetary. The God-knowing believer increasingly experiences the ecstasy and grandeur of spiritual socialization on a universe scale - citizenship on high in association with the eternal realization of the divine destiny of perfection attainment. (1985b) Sin depicts immaturity dazzled by the freedom of the relatively sovereign will of personality while failing to perceive the supreme obligations and duties of cosmic citizenship (1301a). Joyful acceptance of cosmic citizenship - honest recognition of your progressive obligations to the Supreme Being, awareness of the interdependence of evolutionary man and evolving Deity. This is the birth of cosmic morality and the dawning realization of universal duty (1206d). The sincere religionist is conscious of universe citizenship and is aware of making contacts with sources of superhuman power. (1100c) At the last registry there were 3,840,101 inhabited planets in Nebadon... Satania 619 inhabited worlds are located in over five hundred different physical systems... Only five have more than two inhabited worlds, and of these only one has four peopled planets... (359d). In your solar system only three planets are at present suited to harbor life. Urantia in size, density, and location, is in many respect ideal for human habitation (173d). Thus was Urantia given the number 606 of Satania, meaning the 606th world in this local system on which the long evolutionary life process culminated in the appearance of human beings. There are nearly two hundred spheres which are evolving so as to be ready for life implementation within the next few million years. (559b). If intelligent creatures should exist on a planet with an atmosphere similar to that of your near neighbor, Venus, they would belong to the superbreather groups, while those inhabiting a planet with an atmosphere as thin as that of your outer neighbor, Mars, would be denominated subbreathers. .. If mortals should inhabit a planet devoid of air, like your moon, they would belong to the separate order of nonbreathers. (561c) You would be more than interested in the planetary conduct of this type of mortal because such a race of beings inhabits a sphere in close proximity to Urantia. (564b). The oldest inhabited world of Satania, World number one, is Anova, one of the forty-four satellites revolving around an enormous dark planet...in an advanced stage of progressive civilization (559d). Some of the larger worlds are peopled [in Nebadon] with beings who are only about two and one-half feet in height... In Satania, there is only one race under four feet in height. (562d). The progress of civilization is hardly alike on any two planets (576c). Agriculture is universal on all atmospheric worlds..(564d) . ...there are numerous techniques whereby man escapes his terrestrial status and gains access to the inward moving stream of Paradise ascenders. (568b). Antigravity can annul gravity within a local frame; it does so by the exercise of equal force presence... The gravity-resistant phenomenon of a gyroscope is a fair illustration of the effect of antigravity but of no value to illustrate the cause of antigravity. (101b) He [Lucifer] maintained that all government should be limited to the local planets and their voluntary confederation into the local systems. (604d). All secession propaganda had to be carried on by personal effort because the broadcast service and all other avenues of interplanetary communications were suspended by the action of the system circuit supervisors (607c). Urantia was isolated. Every groups of celestial life on the planet found itself suddenly and without warning isolated, utterly cut off from all outside counsel and advice (755 d). And these circuits will not be restored so long as the archrebels lives within the confines of Satania. (607c). The system circuits will not be reinstated so long as Lucifer lives. (611c) The universe broadcast is extended to all inhabited worlds regardless of their spiritual status. Planetary intercommunication is denied only those worlds under spiritual quarantine (372a). ... when compared with the loyal worlds of the universe, your planet seems most confused and greatly retarded in all phases of intellectual progress and spiritual attainment. (578b). Your world will continue to pursue an irregular and checkered career as a result of the double tragedy of a rebellious Planetary prince and a defaulting Material Son. Even the bestowal of Christ Michael on Urantia did not immediately set aside the temporal consequences of these serious blunders in the earlier administration of the world. (578c). Concerning God’s presence in a planet... It is determined by the en mass recognition of God and loyalty to him on the part... of the planets themselves. Therefore... when some planets have plunged far into spiritual darkness, they are in a certain sense quarantined, or partially isolated from intercourse with the larger units of creation. And all this, as it operates on Urantia, is a spiritually defensive reaction of the majority of the worlds to save themselves, as far as possible, from suffering the isolating consequences of the alienating facts of a headstrong, wicked, and rebellious minority. (46a.b.) And this is the reason why contacts with the supreme and the self-acting Adjusters of the reserve corps of destiny are so frequently made on quarantined worlds... In recent years the archangels’ circuit has functioned on Urantia, but that means of communication is largely limited to the transactions of the archangel corps itself (1191a). It appears to certain of our associates that at some time in the near future the plan of sending one of the twenty-four counselors to Urantia as governor general will be superseded by the formal arrival of Machiventa Melchizedek with the vicegerent mandate of the sovereignty of Urantia... others, including this narrator, look for Melchizedeck’s appearance any day or hour. (1251b) In these presentations we are limited by the planetary quarantine and by the system isolation. (578a). The serious obstacle to the good influence of such extraplanetary teachers is the tendency of mortals to regard them as gods, but aside from the technique of their appearance on earth, the Caligastia one hundred ... did not resort to supernatural methods nor superhuman manipulations (744a). The Caligastia one hundred were personally immortal, or undying ... had they not lost contact with the life circuits through rebellion...(745b). It should be explained in this connection that, at the time the one hundred Andonites contributed their human germ plasma to the members of the prince’s staff, the Life Carriers introduced into their mortal bodies the complement of the system circuits: and thus they were enabled to live on concurrently with the staff, century after century, in defiance of physical death (745c). "I am absolutely sure that the entire universe is friendly to me - this all-powerful truth I insist on believing with a wholehearted trust in spite of all appearances to the contrary". (Jesus: 1470a). It is not the mission of the Mystery Monitor to smooth your ruffled feelings or to minister to your injured pride...(1192b). "Discern the truth clearly; live the righteous life fearlessly; and so shall you be my apostles and my Father’s ambassadors." (Jesus:1571.c) COMMENTARIES. One of the challenge with the book’s narrative is to correctly assess the dimensions given to time and space. To clarify this limitation we shall proceed according to the rules for the direction of the mind elaborated by Rene Descartes, from the simplest fact of which we are absolutely certain, to the most complex we may discover intuitively, and step by step to develop an un-interrupted demonstration. Determining facts. Venus is called a "near neighbor". Beings similar to humans may inhabit Venus. The planet described in paper 72 is titled a neighboring planet. A moon described "in close proximity to Urantia" can hardly be farther away than a neighboring planet. It is either our moon, or the moon of a planet of the solar system. Three planets in our solar system are suitable for human life. There is on average more than one inhabited planet for each planetary system in Satania. There is one system with four inhabited planet in Satania. Urantia is the 606th human life inhabited planet out of 619 and consequently one of the last planet in Satania having evolved human life. Some 200 worlds are being made ready for life in the next few million years. Life on Anova, the oldest Satania world, is likely in the hundreds of millions of years ahead of ours. The vast majority of worlds in Satania are possibly millions of years ahead of Urantia. Scientific progress on Urantia is presently developing exponentially, doubling in scope every few years. Only 200 years ago, there was practically none of the scientific achievements we take for granted today. The corollary fact to the rapid evolution of our science is the rate of obsolescence of fundamental theories. For example, it was mathematically demonstrated less than a century ago that it would be impossible for an airplane to exceed the speed of sound. It is now known that, faster than the speed of sound, airplanes flight trajectories pass above our position before they are heard coming. Biologic manipulation of the human stock by supra human intelligence is not something new or evil in the light of the first and the second Epochal revelation. Assumptions with a basis in facts. Quarantine seems to imply both a spiritual and a physical isolation and to be experienced as a reciprocal process. Quarantinees appear to be participating equally with quarantinors in maintaining the planetary isolation. Hence it may be possible that the termination of the quarantine may not be a sudden event as it was when quarantine was implemented. If it is not sudden, it may be progressive. Cosmic citizenship does not appear to be exclusively a designation referring to the spiritual realm. If any visible celestial beings were to be overtly in contact with human beings, they should not necessarily be the midwayers, or other semi-physical beings? As a result of evolution, the physical animal pattern of human life adapts to its environment. Certain appendages, such as wings, develop with birds while others like external ears disappear, as with whales. There are aerial humanlike beings with wings. There should be beings without external ears, and with tiny nose and lips. Lucifer was not referring only to spiritual government on Urantia, it is imply by "all" that earthly government was included. The aftermath of the rebellion had temporal and biologic consequences. Our antigravity technologies must lag far behind the technologies of other worlds in Satania because these worlds were evolving long before Urantia, or were not hampered by the Lucifer rebellion and the Adamic default. There is no statement in the Urantia Book indicating that earth is a singular inhabited planet or sphere in our solar system, or that if there are other inhabited planets in the solar system they were not created long before earth. Our present understanding of inter-planetary space travel appears irrelevant.
David R. Clearwaters In the recent past our society has looked at marriage as sacred, exciting and somewhat mystical. The future for newlyweds was to be magical and wonderful, like life supposedly was in Camelot. Unfortunately, many marriages fail and lasting harmony between a man and a woman is rare. Almost all the couples that my wife Rose and I knew when we started out are now split up. Even a couple who reads and understands The URANTIA Book is not guaranteed success. You would think that this would not be the case, but the views and feelings are so different in men and women, that they can cause divorce even in Urantian households. So just because someone reads The URANTIA Book does not mean that they may be such a harmonious mate in marriage. Maybe the difficulty is because of the grist that it takes to build character is required in both partners simultaneously at times. Still, marriage is so desirable that it is worth any sacrifice.(1776a) When Rose and I were going out together in college, we were best friends, When the First North gang got together to pull pranks and generally raise Cain, Rose was always along or at least in on the action as some pranks were pretty risky. Even though she was a straight -A student, she was denied being a dorm leader because of her association with me. After I graduated from college we became engaged and decided to make some pledges to each other. So there in my car across the street from Hart’s Jewelers we agreed to never criticize one another in public, or anywhere else for that matter. Only one of us was allowed to get mad at a time because it takes two to have an argument. We shared our feelings and dreams openly. This was way before the new age concepts of communicating, etc. We were committed and compatible with each other. We couldn't hide anything from each other so we didn’t even try. Marriage to us meant sharing the ups and downs of life together. Our commitment to marriage was entered into and renewed as we lived and worked together in a spirit of unity, before we had ever heard about The URANTIA Book. Our life was exciting together and we handled any and all challenges head on. After we became involved with The URANTIA Book, our lives changed. It seemed to stem from the repercussions that accompany using the truths in that big blue book. Since those early days, we’ve weathered many stormy troubles and setbacks, We’ve gotten out of most jams a little bit ahead, only to get into bigger "learning experiences". Very few people we know have had the life we’ve had. Having a family was very natural to us. One of the most valuable traits one can have in nurturing a marriage is loyalty. A family can have a model home for raising children, but without loyalty it is not ideal. (1094d) Becky was our first child. When she was about five, we ran into/discovered The URANTIA Book. I loved reading about being a partner with God raising our kids. (1471b) I believe Becky was the first to lead an all children’s Urantia study group in the early seventies. After the Oklahoma conference in 1977, we were driving back to Oregon in our Volvo station wagon with all four of our kids in the back. It would get hot and they would start fighting. I had wrenched both my shoulders by reaching back and grabbing anything I could to make them stop. I know you are not supposed to intervene in their petty quarrels , but it was hot and I wanted them to stop. All I could do was lash my tongue at them. At one point Rose had had enough. She took her iced tea and suddenly just dumped it on them. The silence was deafening for a couple of seconds. Then the howling began! You would have thought she had tossed rotten garbage on them or worse, the way they reacted. We looked at each other and grinned. We had something here! From then on we made sure we had plenty of water around and a big cup for ad-ministration. You know, looking back, it was kind of fun. The ultimate punishment. "That’s it, you’re gonna get watered!" They hated it! They would run to their rooms, jump into their beds and hide under the covers for protection. Some might say it was cruel, but as I pulled back the covers, I would try and say with a straight face, "So - this is where you want it!" It put a whole new meaning to the term bed-wetting! Caleb was the toughest. He would get so mad he would say "Then I’m gonna water you!" Trembling with rage from the indignity, he would get the biggest cup he could find, fill it to the brim with cold tap water, and dose me or Rose - usually me! I do enjoy that memory! This really solved a big discipline problem for us. We just could not bring ourselves to spank our kids. (1597d) The differences between men and women could have just been physical. But the differences are so great that it takes spiritual help to live a harmonious and prosperous life together. These major differences in basic makeup between the sexes are put in us to challenge, enhance and virtually prod each other toward perfection, toward God. This raises the question of some marriages being good and productive, yet neither of the couple seems to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. So either their life to-gether is a secret living hell or else they listen and respond to the spiritual influences from within. I hope and believe that the latter is true in most cases. After all, who can judge a marriage? (929d) A marriage has obvious and not so obvious reverberations. It gives us the crowning glory of our ancestors’ long and hard efforts, the home. (913b) We will push and pull each other along the path to Havona, then all the way up to Paradise. It will take an enormous amount of time and many lifetimes before the sexes completly understand each other. What will that mean? What powers and forces will be available when these two mortals finally link their natures in total harmony! What can possibly stand in the way of those who have worked so long and hard together under such circumstances? © 1999 David R. Clearwaters, All rights reserved
Liz Engstrom As of February 1, 1999, the Prison Project has placed a copy of The Urantia Book in every prison in the United States. This amazing accomplishment was made possible in only twenty-two months with the contribution of thousands of dollars by hundreds of Urantia Book readers and believers, and with the cooperation of The Urantia Foundation, who made books available to this project for the $5 postage fee. As a result, hundreds of prison chaplains have become familiar with the book, study groups are forming in prisons, and a newsletter forum for prisoner- readers to communicate with each other is being formulated. There is still a need for books to be replaced in prison libraries as these books disappear, and as readership grows within prison walls. The Urantia Foundation will fulfill these requests made by the prison librarians and chaplains with books at a discounted rate. Donations for this purpose may be sent directly to the Foundation. This concludes the Prison Project in its present form, as the time has come for us to turn our attention to other ministries. We encourage all of you who have donated to this project to monitor, when possible, the prisons who benefitted from your generosity, and help the librarians replace the books when necessary. Thanks to all of you who made this incredible journey possible. by Cathy Jones Dear Friends, On Sunday, January 24 35 enthusiastic Puerto Rico readers joined the IUA family. President Richard Keeler was the Trustee representative, Cathy Jones, IUA Administrator, Rosendo de Aguilera and Hilvania Adams of the Urantia Association of Greater New York made the trip down. Hilvania contributed greatly to the organizing success, having worked the book fair in San Juan in November. Rosendo can always be counted on to bring sincerity and warmth. I am so grateful the Charter was changed last year to include the "Friend of IUA" membership category for those who haven't completed reading the entire Book. With this change we are able to capture the glow and excitement of the new reader, to work along side the experienced reader. Every member fully understood the mission, task-oriented fundamentals of IUA and the importance of supporting the Declaration of Trust and accepting our responsibility to be interdependent with the Trustees in the dissemination of the teachings of The URANTIA Book. Richard delivered his very informative and inspirational message in excellent Spanish. The meeting was conducted in both English and Spanish, the national language. But the true language of the day was the language of the heart. As the Charter was signed, each new member was given an opportunity to speak briefly, expressing their gratitude to the Father and their Thought Adjuster for leading them to the mental and spiritually-expanding experience of receiving The URANTIA Book. I was struck with the realization that we are merely the material partners with the Thought Adjusters who lead those ready for revealed truth. Artillo and Sophia Zaupa opened their beautiful hillside home, with a breath-taking view of the city of San Juan, for the meeting. They are natives of Italy, fluent in Italian, Spanish and English. Artillo is a 28-year reader and couldn't believe he was actually living to meet a Trustee. We have 12 voting members with an unbelievable 23 non-voting Friends of IUA! I hope you will make our new brothers and sisters welcome. The officers
are: In loving service, Cathy Jones
Coordinating Committee member and educator, Dorothy Elder , was tapped by the Trustees last summer to initiate The URANTIA Book Internet School. Recently, a call was issued for volunteer instructors, longtime readers with teaching experience and time available.Volunteers were asked to respond by Feb. 20, but later applicants will be kept on file for future consideration. The URANTIA Book Internet School is scheduled to begin courses this summer. For further information contact The URANTIA Foundation or Dorothy Elder. (310-479-2802) e-mail:delder03@sprynet.com
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