Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. A day to gather with friends and family, offering thanks for the bounteous blessings received throughout the year.

Another reason it is one of my favorites is on November 28, 1985, Thanksgiving Day, one day after my eighth birthday, I was baptized. I love to reflect every Thanksgiving morning on that special day so many years ago. The gospel of Jesus Christ has truly brought peace to my soul and direction to my life.

How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? President Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, provided an answer. Said he: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.” He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”

President Smith is telling us that a prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude. ~ Pres. Thomas S Monson, The Divine Gift of Gratitude ~

May your day be full of prayerful gratitude to the Giver of all that is good!

© 2007-2010 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved