Thanksgiving is almost here. It is my very favorite holiday. It is a celebration and expression of divine favors and goodenss. At first I think of the turkeys and spending time with family and football. But like Christmas, the true meaning of Thanksgiving can easily be forgotten amid the football games, the preparing of mountains of food, and of the hustle and bustle that always comes when extended family is in town. But, outside of the prayer or grace before the meal, how much time do we really take to give thanks? Thanksgiving can easily become another Christmas or Easter, with its true meaning being put on the back burner and replaced by bunnies, elves, parades, turkeys, 5K's, and football. So, this season as the impending feast nears this Thursday, Take a moment to get down on your knees and personally thank your Maker for the bounty that He has blessed you with this last year. Thank Him in your families for all that you have and set that example for your children. President Thomas S. Monson, a modern day prophet said the following in a talk entitled, "An Attitude of Gratitude". He states "If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." In Psalms 118:1 the first part reads "Give thanks unto God, for he is good." To the prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let you hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks". In the New testament, the Lord heals ten lepers and only one returned to give thanks. So this week especially, tell the Lord how grateful you are to Him. Try to be the one thankful leper. As we develop this "Attitude of Gratitude" we will be less apt to complain and look at the bad in our lives and more prone to possessing the virtue of gratitude.
_Elder Halbert
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