President James E. Faust on having a grateful heart

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum. I do not speak of rebellion against civil oppression. I refer to rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority.

"A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being....

"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 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, p. 2.) ... I hope that we may cultivate grateful hearts so that we may cherish the multitude of blessings that God has so graciously bestowed."

- James E. Faust, "Gratitude As a Saving Principle," Ensign, May 1990, p. 85
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I liked President Faust's description of the "tug-of-war" that exists in our souls. When we allow gratitude to slip away, the contrasting characteristic on the other end of the rope takes its place: which President Faust identifies as "rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority." But when we allow gratitude to dominate, the results are wonderful:

So we cling to gratitude as "a successful mode of living." As we learn to live with more sincere expressions of thanks, we become more aware of the many blessings that are ours, which we should truly cherish.

President Marion G. Romney on feeling and demonstrating gratitude to the Savior

President Marion G. Romney (1897-1988) was born in the Mormon Colonies in Mexico. He was ordained an apostle in 1951 and served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1972 to 1985. After the death of President Spencer W. Kimball, President Romney was released and returned to serve in the Quorum of Twelve until his death in 1988.

"To the Lord Jesus we owe an undying debt of gratitude, for he bought us with a great price. It is impossible for us, weak mortals as we are, to fully comprehend and appreciate the sufferings he endured on the cross that he might gain for us the victory over death. Much less can we understand the suffering he endured in Gethsemane that we might obtain forgiveness of our sins, which, in his own words, 'caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink' (D&C 19:18). Much less, I say, can we understand this suffering that he endured to satisfy the demands of justice and bring about the means by which we, through faith in him, and repentance, can receive forgiveness of our sins.

"None of us could have endured that suffering. No mortal man, nor any number of mortal men together, could have endured it.

"'There was no other good enough
   To pay the price of sin.
   He only could unlock the gate
   Of heaven and let us in.'
   (LDS Hymns, No. 201, 'There Is a Green Hill Far Away.')

"Surely every soul who understands what the Savior did for us loves him and desires to demonstrate, in a realistic manner, thanks and gratitude."

- Marion G. Romney, "Thou Shalt Thank the Lord Thy God in All Things," Ensign, June 1974, p. 3
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As we "count our blessings" in seasons of gratitude, or as part of pondering on a Sabbath Day, there is one thing that should be at the top of the list. President Romney reminds us that we owe so much, more than we can possibly comprehend, to Jesus Christ. The gratitude should include both the sacrifice on the cross that provided "victory over death" to all who live on the earth; and then the opportunity to obtain forgiveness through the atoning power of Gethsemane.

I love that final thought: "Surely every soul who understands what the Savior did for us loves him and desires to demonstrate, in a realistic manner, thanks and gratitude." It's significant that President Romney didn't say express our gratitude to the Savior - but demonstrate it!

President Spencer W. Kimball on the challenge of ingratitude

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"In many countries, the homes are barren and the cupboards bare—no books, no radios, no pictures, no furniture, no fire—while we are housed adequately, clothed warmly, fed extravagantly. Did we show our thanks by the proper devotion on our knees last night and this morning and tomorrow morning?

"Ingratitude, thou sinful habit!

"Around the world are millions groping in the dark, fettered through superstition and fear and insecurity. Here we live in the light with joy and love and abundance and hope.

"Behind... all the walls and all the curtains of oppression and dictatorship, behind the walls of force and slavery, live millions of our brothers and sisters in fear while we live in liberty and privilege. Do we appreciate that and do we express our gratitude in solemn thanksgiving?"

- Spencer W. Kimball, address to seminary and institute teachers, SLC, 9/12/75; see The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 120

I grew up in a typically sheltered and naíve youth. I was aware there was poverty in the world, and had a passing familiarity with what it might be like from TV reports and reading. But I really had no idea what it really meant to live in those kinds of desperate circumstances until I experienced the favelas (slums) in Brazil, and then later doing humanitarian work with my family in Mexico and Ecuador. It was eye-opening, and heart-opening. And yet, I know there are perhaps even greater challenges in areas of Africa and other places in the world. And also challenges right in our backyards that we are oblivious to. How much of our material comfort we take for granted!

President Kimball points out another significant insight: we also have rich blessings of understanding and knowledge, liberty and choice. Far too many in the world suffer with oppression, ignorance, and fear. Oh, how grateful we should be! How we should express that regularly in our communication with God, and how we should demonstrate it in our lives of service and compassion!

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin on having gratitude for our blessings

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) served as a Seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91

"I believe that many people are unhappy because they have not learned to be grateful. Some carry the burden of bitterness and resentfulness for many years. Some pass their days as though suffering a deep sadness they cannot name. Others are unhappy because life didn't turn out the way they thought it would.

"'If only I had money," some might say to themselves, "then I could be happy.'

"'If only I were better-looking.'

"'If only I were smarter.'

"'If only I had a new car, a college degree, a job, a wife, hair that wasn't so frizzy.' (Or, in my case, if only I had more hair or I were 12 inches taller.)

"If we only look around us, there are a thousand reasons for us not to be happy, and it is simplicity itself to blame our unhappiness on the things we lack in life. It doesn't take any talent at all to find them. The problem is, the more we focus on the things we don't have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become.

"Over the course of my years, I have met thousands of people. I have dined with the prosperous as well as the poverty-stricken. I have conversed with the mighty and with the meek. I have walked with the famous and the feeble. I have run with outstanding athletes and those who are not athletically inclined.

"One thing I can tell you with certainty is this: You cannot predict happiness by the amount of money, fame, or power a person has. External conditions do not necessarily make a person happy. The Brethren who have had assignments in poorer countries report that despite the abject poverty, the people are very happy. The fact is that the external things so valued by the world are often the cause of a great deal of misery in the world.

"Those who live in thanksgiving daily, however, are usually among the world's happiest people. And they make others happy as well."

- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," BYU Devotional, 31 October 2000; see Ensign, Sept 2001, p. 6
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It seems there are as many reasons we can be ungrateful as there are to be grateful! Elder Wirthlin mentions a number of them: we haven't really learned how to be grateful; we are carrying burdens of resentment or bitterness; we have a deep unknown sadness.

He spends more time on the problem of the "if only" syndrome, when we dwell on what might have been had certain things happened, or not happened, in our lives. This often comes as we compare ourselves to others around us, wishing that we had lives or situations more like those of our neighbors. As we dwell on things we don't have (wishing we did), we find ourselves slipping into a spiral of unhappiness and resentment.

Elder Wirthlin testifies from his own experience that real happiness does not result from some of those things we so often desire: wealth, fame, or power.

So, according to Elder Wirthlin, the key to happiness is learning to "live in thanksgiving daily." We need to focus on the blessings and gifts, not the perceived shortcomings; and learn to express gratitude for all the good things we have and enjoy. That not only changes how we view the world, it will change how the world views us.

Russell M. Nelson on the role of religion and faith in our lives

President Russell M. Nelson (b. Sept 9, 1924) was an internationally-renowned heart surgeon when he was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He was set apart as president of the Quorum of Twelve on July 15, 2015.

"I will say that one of the realities of mortal life is that our faith will be tested and challenged....

"When we speak of faith—the faith that can move mountains—we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be bolstered as we learn about Him and live our religion. The doctrine of Jesus Christ was designed by the Lord to help us increase our faith. In today's vernacular, however, the word religion can mean different things to different people.

"The word religion literally means 'to ligate again' or 'to tie back' to God. The question we might ask ourselves is, are we securely tied to God so that our faith shows, or are we actually tied to something else? For example, I have overheard conversations on Monday mornings about professional athletic games that took place on the preceding Sunday. For some of these avid fans, I have wondered if their 'religion' would 'tie them back' only to some kind of a bouncing ball.

"We might each ask ourselves, where is our faith? Is it in a team? Is it in a brand? Is it in a celebrity? Even the best teams can fail. Celebrities can fade. There is only One in whom your faith is always safe, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. And you need to let your faith show!"

- Russell M. Nelson, "Let Your Faith Show," Ensign, May 2014, pp. 29-32
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Our faith will be tested and challenged. That is certainly showing to be true in today's world, as challenging circumstances, growing opposition, and confusing information are presented in greater and more frequent ways. Hence the need for deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.

But where is our personal "religion" focused? What do we worship, what do we "tie" our faith to? Is it in a worldly pursuit, a person, an organization, a philosophy? Or is it in the only secure and lasting source of power and hope? "There is only One in whom your faith is always safe, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ."

President Spencer W. Kimball on our opportunities to do good

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Each of us has more opportunities to do good and to be good than we ever use. These opportunities lie all around us. Whatever the size of our present circle of effective influence, if we were to improve our performance even a little bit, that circle would be enlarged. There are many individuals waiting to be touched and loved if we care enough to improve in our performance.

"We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve. It will do us little good to speak of the general brotherhood of mankind if we cannot regard those who are all around us as our brothers and sisters. If our sample of humanity seems unglamorous or so very small, we need to remember the parable Jesus gave us in which he reminded us that greatness is not always a matter of size or scale, but of the quality of one's life. If we do well with our talents and with the opportunities around us, this will not go unnoticed by God. And to those who do well with the opportunities given them, even more will be given!"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "Jesus: The Perfect Leader", address to the Young Presidents organization, Sun Valley, Idaho, 15 January 1977; see Ensign, Aug 1979, p. 6
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President Kimball's thought brings to mind the words of  hymn:

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed....
There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, 'Sometime I'll try,'
But go and do something today.
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.
("Have I Done Any Good?" by Will L. Thompson, Hymns #223)

What a difference there would be in the world "if we [each] were to improve our performance even a little bit." The ripples of kindness and goodness would reach far.

President Kimball goes on to remind us that all of us are surrounded by people who have needs, and are our brothers and sisters. In our individual situation, the people around us "are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve." As we improve our performance, greater opportunities will be given to us.

President Joseph F. Smith on how the Gospel changes our life

President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) was the son of Joseph's brother Hyrum. He was ordained an apostle in 1866 at age 28, and served as a counselor to Brigham Young and the three presidents who followed.  He became the 6th president of the Church in 1901, and served until his death in 1918 at age 80.

"The spirit of the Gospel is designed to make all men good in the sight of God. The Gospel is calculated to remove from us everything that is not consistent with God and the plan of salvation which he has revealed to men. It is designed to qualify us to live so that we may enjoy a fulness of the light of truth, and understand the purposes of God, and be able to live so near to Him that we may be in harmony with His wishes constantly.

"The principles of the Gospel are calculated to make us unselfish, to broaden our minds, to give breadth to our desires for good, to remove hatred, animosity, envy and anger from our hearts, and make us peaceful, tractable, teachable, and willing to sacrifice our own desires, and perchance our own interests, for the welfare of our fellow-creatures, and for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

"A man who cannot sacrifice his own wishes, who cannot say in his heart, 'Father, Thy will be done, not mine,' is not a truly and thoroughly converted child of God; he is still, to some extent, in the grasp of error and in the shades of darkness that hover around the world, hiding God from the presence of mankind.

"Show me a man that is thoroughly converted to the principles of the Gospel, and who can truly say in his heart, 'I know that the Gospel is true,' and I will show you a man that when it comes to asking him to do that which God requires at his hands will have no question in his mind in relation to doing it; he will say, 'Yes, I am ready and willing to do the will of God.'"

- Joseph F. Smith, "Blind Obedience and Tithing," September 3, 1892; see Millennial Star, 20 Jan. 1893, pp. 77-80
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This is a wonderful way of looking at the Gospel of Jesus Christ: its blessing and power in our lives is "to remove from us everything that is not consistent with God and the plan of salvation which he has revealed to men."As we grow in the Gospel, as we repent and change, we leave things behind that are contrary to that spirit and to our peace and happiness. They are gradually replaced with the pure joy that comes from living "so near to Him that we may be in harmony with His wishes constantly." Moroni beautifully described this process in these words: "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness..." (Moroni 10:32). As we do that, removing all forms of "ungodliness" from our lives, the only things left are those that are god-like. We become like Him.

One of the signs of us "hiding God from the presence of mankind," according to President Smith, is that we have not yet abandoned our selfish spirit and learned to seek only the "welfare of our fellow-creatures" and God's ultimate will in our lives. But once we become fully converted, our heart will truly change: