Are you looking for LDS talks on gratitude? Then look no further! Here are some great talks from LDS leaders that illustrate the important principle of gratitude. They are great tools for your personal study, lesson preparation, or church talks and presentations.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Thomas S. Monson | May 2000
“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.”
This printed talk from President Monson is one of the most famous on the subject of gratitude. He tells the stories of the ten lepers and reminds us that though we face terrible plagues today, there is still much to be grateful for. He then shares five ways to develop an attitude of gratitude, sharing personal stories and anecdotes.
Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God
Dale G. Renlund | April 2020
“Our Heavenly Father wants us to recall His and His Beloved Son’s goodness, not for Their own gratification but for the influence such remembrance has on us. By considering Their kindness, our perspective and understanding are enlarged. By reflecting on Their compassion, we become more humble, prayerful, and steadfast.”
Elder Renlund emphasizes the consistent counsel from prophets to reflect on the greatness of God and His blessings, particularly evident in the Book of Mormon. He explores the idea that remembering God’s goodness enlarges perspective, fosters humility, and leads to a more profound understanding of His promises. It encourages daily reflection on the gifts received, stating that such reverence not only makes one grateful but has the potential to bring about a profound spiritual transformation.
Remembrance and Gratitude
Henry B. Eyring | November 1989
“You could have an experience with the gift of the Holy Ghost today. You could begin a private prayer with thanks. You could start to count your blessings, and then pause for a moment. If you exercise faith, and with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you will find that memories of other blessings will flood into your mind. If you begin to express gratitude for each of them, your prayer may take a little longer than usual. Remembrance will come. And so will gratitude.”
President Eyring teaches us that learning to remember the goodness of God through the Holy Ghost is one of the best ways to remain close to God and develop gratitude. He focuses on many important moments in the Book of Mormon that reflect these ideas.
Grateful in Any Circumstances
Dieter F. Uchtdorf | April 2014
“Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?”
In this General Conference talk, President Uchtdorf reminds us we can be grateful no matter our circumstances. He especially keys into the idea that we should not be grateful for things, but try to be grateful in our circumstances. This talk also features some of his popular teachings on the eternal nature of our lives and that “endings are not our destiny.”
A Season for Gratitude
Gordon B. Hinckley | 1997
“Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.”
This Christmas devotional will touch your heart any time of the year. President Hinckley reminds us of all the reasons we have to be grateful for Jesus Christ, from his humble birth to his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and beyond. He also discusses how grateful we should be for the restoration of the Gospel and the birth of Joseph Smith, which also takes place in December.
Gratitude as a Saving Principle
James E. Faust | December 1996
“I desire to discuss gratitude as an expression of faith and as a saving principle. The Lord has said, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments” (D&C 59:21). It is clear to me from this scripture that to “thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7) is more than a social courtesy; it is a binding commandment.”
President Faust stresses how gratitude can bring us to Christ, now and forever. He gives multiple stories of faith and gratitude from his own life and Church history.
Gratitude: A Path to Happiness
Bonnie D. Parkin | April 2007
“Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God.”
In this talk from Sister Parkin, we are reminded that gratitude opens our heart to happiness. One important aspect she touches on is the way gratitude can help us receive revelation and direction from our lives as we draw closer to the Spirit.
“And in Everything Give Thanks”
Marvin J. Ashton | September 1991
“Appreciation for all people and events that come into our lives is most important because it is God’s way of helping us to grow. The ultimate maturity is being able to feel and express appreciation promptly, being fully aware of the value and importance, and showing gratitude for it.”
Elder Ashton expresses his struggle with the admonition to “give thanks in everything” and reflects on the significance of gratitude in our lives. He emphasizes that appreciation for people and events, even those causing disappointment, delay, or misunderstanding, is crucial for personal growth and maturity.
Live in Thanksgiving Daily
Joseph B. Wirthlin | October 2000
“Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent. It forges bonds of love and fosters loyalty and admiration.”
What does it mean to live in thanksgiving daily? How can we make gratitude a part of who we are? Elder Wirthlin shares multiple experiences about how gratitude can increase our joy and lists three ways we can live in thanksgiving daily.
