Gratitude - A Time of Thanksgiving

The Prophet Joseph is reported to have said at one time that one of the greatest sins for which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty would be the sin of ingratitude. President Brigham Young uttered very much the same warning as the Prophet Joseph-that this would be one of our great sins as Latter-day Saints. I do not think this is because we are less grateful than other people-but we have so much more to be grateful for.

The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph, "And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (D&C 122:7-8.)

How do you measure your reversals or problems against those of the Prophet Joseph Smith, or more particularly the Lord Jesus Christ, when they were on the earth? How much we have to be grateful for! Our prayers and the prayers of our children should ascend to heaven full of gratitude and love for the mercies of the Lord unto us.

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, it would be appropriate to look outside of ourselves and realize all that we have been given and all that the Lord has blessed us with. We need to be more grateful. I think there is no true character without gratitude. It is one of the marks of a real strong character to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings. We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in the Church, everywhere. It doesn't cost anything, and it is so easy to cultivate.

I remember my mission president, George T. Frost, often quoting a poem relating to gratitude:

Today, upon a bus, I saw a girl with golden hair.
I envied her, she seemed so happy, and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobbled down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
And as she passed... a smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine

I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word. And then I knew,
he couldn't hear.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine........

Beginning this week, and the weeks to follow, let's try to focus on all that we have, instead of what we don't have, knowing that the Lord knows our wants and desires, and will continue to bless us accordingly. I have found when I turn my attention towards others, finding ways to serve, and less focused on my own struggles, some how my problems seem a lot less significant, and the world a much greater and wonderful place to live and serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Dad

(Source material: Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson)