Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  As we gather together with loved ones and enjoy a bounteous meal, may we all remember the reason for this holiday and give thanks for our abundant blessings.

We had some great talks at church on Sunday on the subject of thanksgiving and gratitude.  One of the speakers mentioned some studies done on happiness.  The conclusion of the studies was that the happiest people were those who were the most thankful and had the most gratitude.  Makes perfect sense.  I've heard several talks in general conference about being grateful and expressing thanks.

The youth speaker mentioned that the best way to express our thanks to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ is to keep Their commandments.

Then there were a couple quotes which I really liked.  So I looked them up when I came home from church.

They are about the painting, "The Prayer at Valley Forge" by Arnold Friberg.  We actually have this painting hanging in our living room.  I have always loved this painting.  It is a depiction of General George Washington kneeling and praying at Valley Forge.

The following quote, recited at church today, was taken from Nathaniel Randolph Snowden’s (1770-1851) “Diary and Remembrances”.

“In that woods, pointing to a close in view, I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods & to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis, & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. ‘Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying.” 

I guess that quote was the inspiration for Arnold Friberg's painting.  Another great quote about the painting was by Ronald Reagan.

“One of the most inspiring portrayals of American history is that of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That moving image personifies and testifies to our Founder’s dependence upon Divine Providence during the darkest hours of our Revolutionary struggle.” -- Ronald Reagan, United States President (1981-1989)

Those two quotes are great reminders of the reliance on God during our great country's birth and infancy.  It's no coincidence that two of our greatest presidents emphasized the role of Deity in guiding the establishment of this great nation.

"A prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude."  -- President Thomas S. Monson

I think it is human nature to focus on the blessings we don't have, or the blessings we want or need.  Instead of focusing on the multitude of blessings that we do enjoy and have been given by a loving God.

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Aldous Huxley 

Here's an interesting quote from a turn-of-the-century editor/essayist:

“Ingratitude, the most popular sin of humanity, is forgetfulness of the heart. … The individual who possesses it finds it the shortest cut to all the other vices.” -- William George Jordan

Along the same lines, here is a quote from our last prophet:

"If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."  -- President Thomas S. Monson

And from the Roman orator, Cicero:

“gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Cicero

Having gratitude and giving thanks is a simple yet extremely important basis for living a Christlike life.

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love." -- President Thomas S. Monson

“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” -- President Gordon B. Hinckley

Wise words from our two most recent prophets.

I hope this Thanksgiving we can all focus on the abundance of blessings we have been granted by the Almighty.  I know I am extremely blessed beyond measure.  For that I am extremely grateful.  I hope we can all express our gratitude for all of the many blessings He pours down upon us every day.

That's my two cents.