There are two deaths, physical and spiritual. According to a young child, "Jesus beat the pants off of both."

Physical death came in the Fall of Adam and Eve. "Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. " [2 Timothy 1:10, Bible New Testament]. As a result all humanIty will overcome physical death by being resurrected and obtaining immortality.

Jesus Christ commanded us to forgive others seventy times seven times [Matthew 18:22, Bible New Testament]. Why is it so hard for us to believe He would also forgive us more than once? Too many people think that if they commit the same sin again, and again, it's all over. That is not true. We will mess up again and again, and the Atonement of mercy is ours to claim through repentance. Each time we repent, we will make progress step by step.

We know he sweat great drops of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him. A good friend of mine, a medical doctor and founder of pain study centers commented, "for a person to sweat great drops of blood from every pore would mean the capillaries in their system all burst, just one of two is such excruciating pain that we cannot ease that suffering, every pore, the pain is inconceivable." - Dr. Crew

We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death.

We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name.

When we put together the teachings from the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph, it is clear that love, forgiveness, judge not and the giving of second chances over and over leads to love and fulfilling relationships. Happiness rests in understanding that it is natural to love others, to feel their pain and help, to forgive no matter what, and build relationships that bring hope and peace one person at a time.

This day is all any of us have, so with the moments you have left of this day, what can you do to lift another? What will you see in this day that fills your soul and propels you to action?

In order to avoid an eye for an eye, we must learn to curb our tongues. We should always remember that spoken words can never be recalled and may be remembered in sadness and regret forever. Not everything we feel has to be said. Almost nothing we think in anger should ever be said.

Because agency and the right to choose is an eternal principle that was part of our pre-mortal rights, our choice to come to earth and be tried and tested, left the need for a Savior. One who could pay the price of justice and through mercy and grace, provide a path of repentance that would allow us to be claimed as worthy of eternal life.

There is no one that is void of expectations. These can be violated by developing circumstances and if we are not meek, the surprise or disappointment by the violation of such expectations can throw us off our stride and even cause us to stumble. This has certainly happened to me several times in the last few months, to the point that it seems like I'm drowning in quicksand. It is the climb back of our having expectations of anyone that is even more brutal as one recognizes that pride, disappointment, valueless thoughts rage through the heart and mind.

...meekness is so much more. It also has to do with things of everlasting and salvational significance. In the opening words today, there are two references to scripture around the meek. Let's add another one, "God arose to save all the meek of the earth." [Psalms 76:9] Jesus Christ, whom we strive to follow, describes himself as being meek and lowly of heart. He continues His counsel by encouraging us to walk in the meekness of His spirit. Walking in the meekness of His spirit as we learn of Him and follow Him, enables us to have personal revelation from heaven in our lives today.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." [Matthew 5: 14,16] In this ever increasing world filled with confusion and anything goes, each of us needs to let our good works shine and glorify our Father and Mother in heaven. It is this that combats the trash the fills the minds and carnal desires of humanity.