Quote Journal: Gratitude

1)"A constant expression of gratitude should be included in all our prayers. Often prayers are given for specific blessings which we, in our incomplete understanding, believe we need. While the Lord does answer prayers according to His will, He certainly must be pleased when we offer humble prayers of gratitude.” (Steven E. Snow, Gratitude, 2002 January Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

2)"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.” (Thomas S. Monson, An Attitude of Gratitude, 2000 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

3)"As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. President J. Reuben Clark, formerly a First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them” (Church News, 14 June 1969, 2). At this Christmas season, I hope that we may cultivate grateful hearts so that we may cherish the multitude of blessings that God has so graciously bestowed. May we openly express such gratitude to our Father in Heaven and our fellowmen.” (James E. Faust, Gratitude is a Saving Principle, 1996 December Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

4)"Through expression of prayerful gratitude and thanksgiving, we show our dependence upon a higher source of wisdom and knowledge—God the Father and his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are taught to “live in thanksgiving daily.” (Alma 34:38.) (Robert D. Hales, Gratitude for the Goodness of God, 1992 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

5)"To find gratitude and generosity when you could reasonably find hurt and resentment will surprise you. It will be so surprising because you will see so much of the opposite: people who have much more than others yet who react with anger when one advantage is lost or with resentment when an added gift is denied.” (Henry B. Eyring, Remembrance and Gratitude, 1989 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

6)"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.” (Thomas S. Monson, The Divine Gift of Gratitude, 2010 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

7)"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.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, With All Thy Getting Get Understanding, 1988 August Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

8)"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." (Henry B. Eyring, Remembrance and Gratitude, 1989 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

9)"First, may I ask that we express thanks to our parents for life, for caring, for sacrificing, for laboring to provide a knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan for happiness. From Sinai the words thunder to our conscience, 'Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee' (Exodus 20:12)." (Thomas S. Monson, The Profound Power of Gratitude, 2005 September Ensign, http://www.lds.org)

10)"You could follow the command, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). President Benson suggested prayer as a time to do that. He said: 'The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. We enjoy so much.'” (Henry B. Eyring, Remembrance and Gratitude, 1989 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)