General Conference October 2010

In my Teachings of the Living Prophets class, we had an assignment to write a paper about our favorite General Conference talk. This talk could be from any session in any year. I chose to write my paper about President Thomas S. Monson's talk entitled "The Divine Gift of Gratitude." I would like to share that paper with

you and hope that you feel the spirit as you read. General Conference is currently going on this weekend, and later I will have thoughts regarding this current Conference.

My Paper:

President Thomas S. Monson gave one of my favorite General Conference talks in October of 2010. His talk was titled “The Divine Gift of Gratitude.” I remember thinking at the end of his talk, “man, that was such a good talk!!” I could feel the power of his words as he spoke and bore his testimony of the importance of gratitude.

President Monson started his talk off with the parable of the 10 lepers. They came unto Christ saying “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Christ said unto them “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.” When they did so, they were cleansed. The parable continues with only one of the 10 lepers, who was a Samaritan, comes back to Jesus giving him thanks. Jesus then says “Arise, go thy way: they faith hath made the whole.” President Monson said, “My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thinks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.” I absolutely love this quote. It gave me a new meaning and insight to thinking about being sincerely grateful. I had never thought of being grateful helps me ponder my blessings.

President Gordon B. Hinckley was quoted and 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.” When this was said, I imagined myself during my daily routine. I recall saying thank you to those who hold doors open, or help me find where I need to go. Then I thought about the times that I could say thank you more than when I already do. I definitely can be more grateful in my life.

While listening to this talk, I thought back to my Seminary teacher. Every year when thanksgiving was just a few weeks away, she would remind us of her annual ritual. She told us that every year on thanksgiving, all her prayers would be full of gratitude. She never asked for anything in those prayers. She only thanked our Heavenly Father for everything that she was blessed with. President Monson summarized a quote of President Joseph F. Smith. He said, “President Smith is telling us that a prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude.”

President Monson closed his talk with this, “My brothers and sisters, 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. Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By doing so, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.” I had never thought of obeying the Lord as showing him gratitude. Gratitude has a complete new meaning and worth to me. I was always taught to write my thank you notes after my birthday or Christmas. I always dreaded writing those. However, after this talk, I never forget and I do not delay.

I love this gospel with all my heart. I know it is true. I know that what President Monson said comes from my Heavenly Father. I know He loves me and wants the best for me. I rejoice in the day that I will be with Him again. I hope and pray everyday for the spirit to be with me. I hope and pray for gratitude not only for myself, but also for everyone else.