Thanks

November 22, 2010
GRATITUDE
At this time of year we give thanks once again. we set our day aside
just to give thanks, eat all we want, watch football, eat some more,
and to have a big parade in a city far way....
But where did it start?   when the white man come to this promise land
they did not know how to survive on this land. they had nothing.
and the native americans had compassion and helped them out. and for
that they set a day aside to give thanks for their help and their
friendship.
But what is it today? another reason to get work off? another day for
football?  a day for a parade? or is it the one day in the whole year
we remember to give thanks?
When should we show our gratitude? should we wait until the day that
is devoted to giving thanks? or constantly everyday of our life.
As President Monson said in Conference " Do we remember to give thanks
for the blessings we receive? sincerely giving thanks not only helps
us recognize our blessings, but it unlocks the doors of heaven and
helps us feel God's love."
President Hinckley said "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.
with the lepers; through divine intervention those who were lepers
were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on
life.  the expressed gratitude by one merited the Master's blessing;
the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment.
WHICH ONE ARE WE?
regardless of circumstances, each of us has much to be grateful for.
if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.  Do we think like
the world does?  that physical possessions and money bought things are
how we know we are blessed?  or do we look at the what really matters;
FAMILY, CHURCH, HEALTH, HAPPY CHILDREN BRINGING JOY AND MEMORABLE
TIMES INTO OUR LIVES. do we count big family gatherings as blessings
to see a group of people so close and who enjoy one another?
If ingratitude be numbered amoung the serious sins, then gratitude
takes place amoung the noblest virtues. "Gratitude is not only the
greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
one can not boast of himself and be lifted in pride over others when
he gives thanks to God and others for the help and support given to
him.
one can not be jealous of others when he prays and gives thanks daily
for his blessings and what he has.
one can not feel treated unjust when he is grateful for the Atonement
of Jesus Christ and how he can be whole by it.
"a grateful heart then, comes through expressing gratitude to our
Father in Heaven for His blessings and to those around us for all that
they bring into our lives.  this requires conscious effort - at least
until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude.
Often we feel gratitude and INTEND to express it(our thanks)  but
forget to do so, or just don't get around to it.

                           "THANK YOU"
Do not take for granted the little things of life!!!! you can't
imagine life with out them!!
BE GRATEFUL AND SHOW IT!!!!!!!
MOST IMPORTANT BE GRATEFUL TO GOD. SHOW IT BY CARING FOR OTHERS, YOUR
FAMILY, TELLING THEM AND BY DOING WHAT GOD ASKS OF US.
"GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON" - THAT IS
HOW GOD SHOWED HE LOVES US, let us show ours and that we are grateful
to him by giving thanks daily and always, and following His Son!!!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND ALL YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE
Elder JOHNSON