“Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”
In his 96 years of life, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen almost everything—a Great Depression, a world war, and a global pandemic, to name a few. And he would like to propose one remedy that can help us find joy in hard times: gratitude. #GiveThanks
Practicing gratitude may not prevent us from experiencing sorrow, anger, or pain, but it can help us look forward with hope. We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world.
President Nelson suggests three ways you can #GiveThanks in your own life:
- Turn social media into your own gratitude journal.
- Say a prayer of gratitude.
- Build your relationship with Jesus Christ.
By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty, and tolerance.
Visit PowerofGratitude.org to learn more.
To read the story behind this inspired invitation, visit GiveThanks.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Update - November 29, 2020
Dear brothers and sisters,
On November 20, I offered a message and prayer of gratitude for the people of the world. I am humbled that you would join with me in thanking God for His countless blessings to each of us.
Great change can start with individual acts of love and kindness. Thank you for your faith. Thank you for also recognizing and sharing experiences about the people and things for whom you are grateful. As we all do this, I hope you can sense how our collective faith and actions may ease the prevailing burdens of grief and uncertainty. Gratitude can give us renewed perspective and feelings of peace and hope.
Please continue this daily pattern of giving thanks through prayer, followed by action. God loves us and is concerned about all of His children. He will keep His promises and grant us the blessings of mercy, comfort, understanding, and eternal joy as we faithfully turn to Him in prayer and thanksgiving.
Now, as we enter the Christmas season and celebrate the living Christ, one of the most powerful ways we can show our gratitude is to serve His children. Let us follow His example to "Light the World" by loving and serving others, one by one.
President Russell M. Nelson
