“In every thing give thanks.” Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. We meet together with friends and family. We go out and serve. And it is a great time to show our gratitude to the Lord for all he has given us. As you count your many blessings this Thanksgiving, here are a few examples of gratitude from the Book of Mormon to reflect on.
Gratitude For The Simple Things
When Alma the Younger returned to the city of Ammonihah he was received by Amulek. When Alma was hungry, Amulek took him and fed him a simple meal of meat and bread. Alma was so grateful for the small, tender blessing that he took the time to bless Amulek and his family and give thanks to God.
Gratitude For The Gospel
When new convert King Lamoni was faced with a difficult choice, he expressed his gratitude for the redeeming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent.” He faced his challenges with faith and thankfulness for the gifts and power the Gospel would give him.
The Gratitude of Christ
When Christ came to His people in the Americas he blessed them, taught them, and cared for them. But during His ministry there, he also took time to give thanks. “And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed.” He thanked the Father for the Spirit which had been bestowed and the redemption that had come to those who had believed in Him.
All Things With Thankfulness
As we take time to give thanks this Thanksgiving, we will see the hand of the Lord more fully in our lives. We will be blessed beyond measure. “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”
What other examples of gratitude can you think of from the Book of Mormon?
After serving a mission to Samara, Russia, Tyler graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Creative Writing. Tyler is the author of Away From The Sun, a short collection of his written works. He lives in Provo with his drop-dead gorgeous wife, enjoys playing basketball, playing the banjo, studying history, and collecting Pokemon cards. Follow Tyler on Instagram @therealtylerbnelson
