Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

Heather with her mother

President Monson reminded me of my first born.  We were so grateful when she came to us in 1971 in Provo, Utah.  Born in the Covenant, she was our hope for the future happiness of our family.  Now she calls regularly to express gratitude for the love we have given her through the years.  Like all of us, she has benefited much from the love and appreciation shown to her in her suffering. As a result, know one can even tell she has ever had a hard day in her life, because being full of gratitude, she exudes confidence and joy, which blesses all those around her.

Be like Heather and cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and all the people you know and all the new ones you meet will be blessed.

President Thomas S. Monson

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

President Thomas S. Monson

One of my jobs is to be advisor to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: I am very proud of my choir. My mother said she was proud of me (even though I did not do well in music). I think of the widows and the general authorities and all those who influenced me... including the choir (beautiful music touches me deeply.

Luke 17 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Sincerely giving thanks unlocks the doors and heaven
38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

Everyone loves Sister Howard

Refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought, and remain in the realm of gratitude, the greatest of all virtues and the parent of all virtues. 16 O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!

Most human beings take things for granted, even those who most need our gratitude. We can minimize the loss of our loved ones by often expressing gratitude to them, for we do not know when it will be too late.

If we reach deeply, we can begin to learn how much we have received. Told a Thanksgiving story of a family who had a good year, did an inventory and and ate with joy. They next year they were poor again, and able to put in perspective the cycle of prosperity and poverty. That also was a great Thanksgiving, because gratitude is a core value that raises your spirit in every circumstance.