Fast Sunday Lesson on Gratitude

A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being. But there is a truism associated with all types of human strength: “Use it or lose it.” When not used, muscles weaken, skills deteriorate, and faith disappears. (Pres. James E. Faust)

It is difficult to even imagine a resentful person who is grateful or a grateful person who is resentful. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said:

“Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief. …

“Where there is appreciation, there is courtesy, there is concern for the rights and property of others. Without it there is arrogance and evil” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1964, 117).

So often it is too easy to become wrapped up in what is negative instead of counting the numerous blessings which the Lord has provided for us. President Monson in an article titled "An Attitude of Gratitude" says of this:

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

I have felt the blessings of peace as I have focused on the things that I am grateful for rather than the things that I am lacking or the trials I am in.

Thank you so much for all your comments - the spirit was truly felt today. I am posting the link to Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk on "Living in Thanksgiving Daily" and also Henry B. Eyring's talk "O, Remember, Remember".

Live in Thanksgiving Daily

O Remember, Remember

Remember the story of the Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant and how he was grateful the little things.
A scarecrow is always WATCHING, always doing his job with a smile

- A scarecrow has a job to do and doesn’t complain about it no matter what the weather. He is thankful that he has an important job to do and that he is good at it.

- A scarecrow does his work silently and is a gentle reminder to birds to find food somewhere else. His gentleness shows he is serving with love and thankfulness.

- A scarecrow can watch the miracle of big plants growing from tiny seeds, clouds rolling by, rain falling, wind blowing ripples through the leaves and grass, witness a caterpillar transform into a butterfly, and can see the sun set and rise again. He is thankful for the creations of nature and the outdoors.

- A scarecrow can get wobbly on its post and may even fall over but can be readjusted and never lose his smile. He is thankful someone would notice that he needed their help.

Like this scarecrow we should be THANKFUL for our situation in life and have a happy heart. He cannot express it with words but we can.

Here are the videos that were shown during the lesson.