It is amazing how the Atonement, the Timekeeping Algorithm, and Zion align, all contributing to God’s perfect plan of happiness, as we move from time into eternity.

The scriptures give us this glorious picture of the Bride meeting the Bridegroom at His coming—a Zion, pure in heart society will meet the Lord with great rejoicing. As mortals, we are all sinners because of the Fall of Adam and Eve. As we repent, we know the infinite atonement totally covers our sins and gives us a glorious resurrection. I find significant parallels between the Lord’s infinite atonement and the time generation algorithm, AT-1, that I believe the Lord gave me back in 1968, as we move from time into eternity.

When I went to Boulder, Colorado to do my graduate work at the University of Colorado, atomic clocks were relatively new and how to best use their exceptional performance was just beginning to be appreciated. The first atomic clock was an ammonia maser, and that is what I first worked on as I was hired in by the National Bureau of Standards. Because of the significant improvements available from atomic clocks for timekeeping, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) changed the definition of the length of the “second” a year earlier (13 October 1967) from astronomical to atomic. Atomic clocks have enjoyed amazing improvements and are now a billion times better than any astronomical timing technique.

The AT-1 time-scale algorithm that I believe the Lord gave me back then has impacted the world timekeeping community substantially. Fifty-four years later, with improvements by my outstanding colleagues, AT-1 is still generating official time for the USA today, UTC(NIST).

I was personally invited to help Israel and Italy with their atomic-clock timekeeping systems and gave them the AT-1 time-scale algorithm. Several other countries have followed suit. The algorithm for international time, ALGOS, generated by the BIPM, UTC (Universal Time Coordinated), has some similar features, as the folks from the international community came to Boulder, CO, to learn about AT-1 after I had developed it.

Now as we look at Zion. It is a place that has been appointed by the Lord where his followers can live in peace and serve God. Zion will be known as the “City of Holiness and Refuge”, where the Lord’s people will be protected from the evils of the world.

Coexisting Concepts For the Plan of Happiness

You will see how the fascinating features of AT-1 tie to the atonement and Zion as I share the following:

Timekeeping AT-1 Algorithm and ZION parallels

1.  A fundamental assumption of the AT-1 algorithm is that every clock is wrong. Similarly, we are all sinners because of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
2.   With the appropriate corrections applied to each clock’s readings, AT-1 calculates an optimum weighting for each clock resulting in a calculated time output always better than the best clock in the ensemble. Similarly, using the infinite atonement each member of the Zion society uses their time and talents optimally in helping bring about a pure in heart people of one mind and one heart. Both AT-1 and Zion people be the best that they can.
3.   Even the worst clock optimally contributes to AT-1’s optimally calculated time. Similarly, even the least talented person enjoys using their time and talents optimally to bless the Zion society
4.   Any abnormal behavior of a clock is detected and fixed. Similarly, when someone stumbles, everyone helps them come to Christ, who perfectly knows how to fix them.
5.   Even in the short-term and in the long-term the AT-1 algorithm is optimized to be the best it can be. Similarly, the day-by-day activities of a Zion society and the long-term goal of eternal life for each member come to pass by following the Savior’s perfect example, as He brings forth Zion.
6.   Each clock’s performance is measured with each measurement cycle, and the artificial intelligence of AT-1 optimizes its contribution to the ensemble to be the best it can be. Similarly, each member of the Zion society comes to his or her full potential as they optimally contribute their time and talents in everything they do and are perfected through Christ’s infinite atonement.

“Zion must increase in beauty and holiness.” (D&C 82:14) As we move from time into eternity “time will be no longer” and we will move into God’s eternity domain.

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