Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone

We were discussing with our home teacher how The Sunday morning session of Conference  has historically contained the thematic or keystone talk of the prophet. It might be because more people attend Sunday Morning session, that the church has better distribution of the broadcast Sunday morning , or tradition. Nonetheless, it was interesting re-reading President Monson's address of Sunday Morning - "The Divine Gift of Gratitude" Truly gratitude is a life changing attribute and state of being.

As he recounted the story of feeding the 4,000. I reflected upon times in my life when I have  - " Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking" . In the midst of a trial it is oft time difficult to gain the eternal perspective, maintain a positive outlook, and project and be an attitude of gratitude. I have consciously tried to cultivate an attitude of gratitude to as President Monson quoted - Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Grateful for what? For all the wonderful things that God has done to make me  / us happy. As CS.Lewis said in his book " We are not quite as happy yet as HE wants us to. God wants us to be happy both now and through eternity and does all he can to facilitate it if we will but subject ourselves to his will. "The prospects that God has opened to our view are Wonderful and Grand." I am grateful.



" 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. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others . . . Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. . .  to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven".

 And so at the close of Thanksgiving season and the start of the Christmas season my heart swells with gratitude for my Rindy, my children and their families, my health, my opportunities, my material blessings, books, friends and temple. I think the thoughts started to formulate as I read Kristin's blog, then built as we discussed Presidents Monson's talk in Priesthood, fed further by our home teacher - I'm grateful for our Savior and the plan of happiness. My heart does indeed touch heaven.