Temescal Canyon Relief Society: 2013

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Giving Thanks

Gratitude

It is human nature, I suppose, to seek elsewhere for our happiness. Pursuit of career goals, wealth, and material rewards can cloud our perspective and often leads to a lack of appreciation for the bounteous blessings of our present circumstances.

It is precarious to dwell on why we have not been given more. It is, however, beneficial and humbling to dwell on why we have been given so much.

An old proverb states, “The greater wealth is contentment with a little.”

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philip. 4:11). …

Alma says, “Let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.”(Alma 37:37).The Lord desires that we give thanks. In Thessalonians we read, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thes. 5:18).

… [May we] keep our hearts full of thanks and appreciation for what we have and not dwell on what is not ours. … Let us adopt an attitude of gratitude in all we do.

From Steven E. Snows talk “Gratitude” (October 2001 General Conference)

Perhaps one way we can come to appreciate how much we have been blessed with is to take count of all of the things we have that we no longer need. Things that can bless others. As you go about preparing for the Holiday Season the next couple of months, take stock of what you have. Identify items you no longer need and thank the Lord for blessing you with them. Then, find a way to pass that blessing on to someone else. Some suggested places for donating used items or, purchasing them too if you so desire, are: Deseret Industries, Good Will, Salvation Army, and our own “Our Giving Tree” page, to name a few.

Let’s use “Our Giving Tree” to help make each other’s Holiday’s a bit brighter by posting items we need & items we can donate. Check back often to see if there is something you can use or a need you can meet. You can access the page by clicking the "Our Giving Tree" tab or by clicking here.