Hi everybody. I'm Magus. I'm 32, male, married, got one little boy and another on the way. I don't want to say where I'm from exactly, but suffice it to say, I live in the Southern United States, (the Heart of Dixie, you might say) where I was raised, but not born. I was born in a large city of the Pacific Northwest. My recent ancestors come from Idaho and Washington on my mother's side, and Kansas/Colorado on my dad's. I got LDS ancestry back to the days of Joseph Smith on my mom's side, and my dad's a convert.
I served a mission in Russia and married a Russian sister missionary I served with. I've been back to Russia three times with her since we were married in 2009, it's really nice to be able to keep a connection to the country and also to be part of a Russian extended family now.
I work as an emergency dispatcher on the night shift. Been doing it or about 8 years. I just recently graduated from a state university, with a double major in business management and human resources, and a minor in criminal justice - but my real passions are reading, writing and theater. My dream is to some day become a published author that can make enough money to comfortably support my family on that income alone. But I realize that will be an arduous road. As it is, I'm trying to find a job related to my education.
I have great interests in history, literature, philosophy, politics and the supernatural. From an early age, I have exhibited an acute interest in supernatural things. This probably explains why I'm drawn to investigate psychic phenomena as well as esotericism and the occult. You might say I'm somewhat of a Mormon mystic. For example, I'm not entirely sure that the lay priesthood of the Church really knows what they are doing when it comes to maximizing the power of their priesthood, or the power of God through their connection with him as faithful members of the Church. I'm somewhat inclined to think that the priesthood and/or gifts of the Spirit can be used for more things than we are actively told and is commonly considered. I'm also open to considering that certain methods of magic may possibly be legitimate in the eyes of God, but that is an untested theory. I know the scriptures speak against "peeping wizards," "witches", and "sorcerers." However, context is everything, and you have to consider what those practitioners of the occult in those times and now were specifically doing, who or what they were trying to get in contact with, the methodology of it, as well as the motivations. You have to also consider the possibility that Joseph Smith and other early founders of the Church were quite possibly acquainted with such things - and then consider what that would mean. In the end, magic is simply a means to bring down the power of the supernatural in order to execute a particular effect - and God and his universe are certainly full of such powers, many of which are either directly of God Himself or aligned with Him. It seems to me that the Priesthood has a great place in the grand scheme of the Universe, (it being the authority and power of God) and that there are many ways that can be discovered that can enhance and maximize its potential in a creative and righteous way. In studying magic, I have come to understand that much of it is not attempting to utilize some other source outside of God, but actually was attempting to create a pattern of calling down God's power in a creative form. For example, the greater and lesser keys of Solomon (forms of cermonial magic) and the legends surrounding him of being one of the greatest magicians of all time, or other ancient traditions of Moses using certain arcane methods to invoke the power of God.
But none of this is something I'm willing to go out on a limb and test out myself haphazardly. I'm far too cautious for that. The last thing I need is to foolishly open some sort of doorway to let demonic entities into my life. So, this is all stuff that's just interesting to me and really, it'd have to be a matter of prayer and fasting to discover any hidden truth behind it, if there's any at all. I'm just open minded about stuff. But I do feel like studying these things has increased my understanding of all things spiritual in nature. You start seeing common themes, common gestures, common words and methods, and patterns develop, and it gives you insight into the origins of things and what it all might mean.
My avatar is the Nauvoo pentagram. It's the upside down star with a circle around it - commonly associated today as a symbol of Satanism, but as many Mormons know, is actually an ancient symbol related to the ancient temple, and is a symbol of God and Christ. I chose it as my avatar because it just represents how things are not always what they seem and how things that are good are often misunderstood or maligned in some way by people, and so it represents the importance of educating oneself on those things and coming to a deeper understanding.
Btw, I have a strong testimony of the gospel. I know the Book of Mormon is true, the Testimony of the Three Witnesses is absolutely 100% true, they really did see an angel that presented to them the golden plates. I know Jesus Christ is indeed the irrefutable Savior of the world, and that God's love for us is immense beyond our comprehension, and that his mercy is great and his forgiveness is extended to us always, and that it truly has the power to cleanse and make one reborn. I've experienced the joy and peace that comes from Him and know that following His ways is the way to happiness and salvation, and also that exaltation is a real state of being that we can all achieve through Christ.
So there's my quirky introduction and testimony. I know it's off-the-wall. But here I am, don't judge. Nice to meet you all!
Oh, I'm also a huge fan of The Smashing Pumpkins and pretty much all things Billy Corgan. I post on another forum as well, devoted to the band and other off topics. The link is in my signature. Check it out if you're so inclined, or better yet, join the board there too if it interests you.
See you all around.
- Magus
