Let thy heart be full of thanks unto God

“Gratitude is one of the most important human virtues and one of the most common human deficiencies. Gratitude does not develop without effort.”

 -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency

"On this Sabbath day our thoughts turn 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. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, this Son of God, even Jesus Christ the Lord, yet beckons to each of us to follow Him."
-President Thomas S Monson

What does it mean to be grateful? To be grateful is having or showing the desire or reason to thank somebody. It is to be thankful, appreciative, and indebted.

There is a story from the Bible that I would like to share. :)  Luke 17

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

 14 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.

 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

On this thanks giving and each day of my life I wish to be as the leper who came back, who thanked Christ for all that He did. Have you ever given someone a gift that you thought they would love and in return they didn't seem too thrilled or you never really saw them use it? The greatest gift ever given to mankind was Gods Son Jesus Christ; His atonement was made so that we could make it through life, a life that could be so challenging, and a life where we would make mistakes, or be hurt at the lack of others regard. How often do we see people push Him aside or we personally don't center our life on Him? Jesus Christ is the reason we are here and able to progress, the reason we are able to become pure again. Jesus Christ is the reason, and the way.

Have you ever thought to pray and thank heavenly father for the gift of his son? Or to thank Him for the times he made your trials possible? Have you ever stopped to find the times you assumed you were alone but Christ was there all along? I know it took me a while to realize I have a lot to be grateful for, and it is a constant journey to be grateful for ALL things, it is hard at times to see that the Lords hand has been in my life and at times I didn't recognize it. I have been so consumed with what is in the world that I missed the bigger picture.

I feel as though I should stop to thank Heavenly Father for my trials, a trial is gift it just takes a while to unwrap. Once we pass through the storm we become stronger and if we will allow it we can grow closer to Christ. Be thankful in all things. Life isn't about if I only had this I would be happier or if this would happen things would get better. Be thankful that our Father in Heaven gave you another day to live, learn, laugh and grow. I know it is hard, and I often find myself thinking "Once this trials ends I will be happy" or "When I graduate from college life will be better" I always find myself looking for a time marker rather than living in the here and now and enjoying each day at a time. Today I am grateful for time. Whether it is moves quickly or slowly. I am grateful to be a missionary, the time is slipping away quickly and I am just now realizing I shouldn't have thought to myself, it will be easier when I have been out six months or nine months. Now that I have hit those markers I see how quickly time moves and to enjoy EVERY MOMENT. "Life is meant to be enjoyed not just endured." I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ, and I am thankful for my eternal family and the incredible role my mommy and poppi play in my life, the examples they are to me of service and charity. I am grateful for the ability to love and to forgive, I am grateful for the Atonement and I am thankful for all of my friends from home and the ones I have made here on my mission.

It is my goal to do my best to have my heart always drawn to God and Jesus Christ giving thanks in all things

To not be as this scripture is describing but to see all things comes from God.  I want to do my best to not fall into the cycle of pride and shut gratitude out.

"Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities."

Heleman 13:22(The Book of Mormon)
  
"36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

Alma 37