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发帖数: 9485 | 1 Thomas S. Monson
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints
---talk on Genearal conference Oct.2011
http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-divine-gift-of-gr
A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly
Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into
our lives.
My beloved brothers and sisters, we have heard inspired messages of truth,
of hope, and of love. Our thoughts have turned to Him who atoned for our
sins, who showed us the way to live and how to pray, and who demonstrated by
His own actions the blessings of service—even our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read of Him:
“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the
midst of Samaria and Galilee.
“And as he entered into a certain village, there [he met] ten men that were
lepers, which stood afar off:
“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the
priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a
loud voice glorified God,
“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan.
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the
nine?
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 2 Through divine intervention those who were lepers were spared from a cruel,
lingering death and given a new lease on life. The expressed gratitude by
one merited the Master’s blessing; the ingratitude shown by the nine, His
disappointment.
My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we
receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings,
but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.
My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley 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.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 3 In the book of Matthew in the Bible, we have another account of gratitude,
this time as an expression from the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness
for three days, more than 4,000 people followed and traveled with Him. He
took compassion on them, for they may not have eaten during the entire three
days. His disciples, however, questioned, “Whence should we have so much
bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?” Like many of us,
the disciples saw only what was lacking.
“And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And [the disciples]
said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
“And [Jesus] commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake
them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”
Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed
meat that was left seven baskets full.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 4 We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than
on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man
who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those
which he has.”
Gratitude is a divine principle. The Lord declared through a revelation
given to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. …
“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled,
save those who confess not his hand in all things.”
In the Book of Mormon we are told to “live in thanksgiving daily, for the
many mercies and blessings which [God] doth bestow upon you.” 7 | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 5 Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be
grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.
This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong
in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are
marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for
them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives
are blessed in countless ways.
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. Someone has said that “
gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 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.
As I close this morning, it is my prayer that in addition to all else for
which we are grateful, we may ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s
greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do our
spirits go when we die? That gospel brings to those who live in darkness the
light of divine truth.
He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die.
His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted
; the sinner He saved.
Ultimately, He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The
Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet
rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words: “Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do.”
Who was this “man of sorrows, … acquainted with grief”? “Who is this
King of glory,” this Lord of lords? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He
is the Son of God. He is the Author of Our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow
me.” He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise.” 18 He pleads, “Keep my
commandments.”
Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so
doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.
My sincere, heartfelt prayer is that we may in our individual lives reflect
that marvelous virtue of gratitude. May it permeate our very souls, now and
evermore. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen. | m****a
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