Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life. This is a theme sounded in a 2020 video message to the world by Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his 98 years of life, President Nelson has seen almost everything—a Great Depression, a world war, and a global pandemic, to name a few. In the video, he proposes one remedy that can help heal the spiritual and mental turmoil we’re all facing right now: gratitude.
“Practicing gratitude may not prevent us from experiencing sorrow, anger, or pain, but it can help us look forward with hope. We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world,” said President Nelson.
He continued, “By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty, and tolerance.”
How You Can #GiveThanks
Before offering a prayer of gratitude for the world, President Nelson invited everyone, everywhere, to do two important things to help heal our fractured relationships and communities:
- Turn social media into your own gratitude journal.
- Say a prayer of gratitude.
Use Music to Express Your Gratitude
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square invite you to enjoy their “Music of Thanksgiving” playlist which can be viewed on YouTube. The music of the Choir and Orchestra helps give listeners of all ages reasons to rejoice. It has the power to express the grateful feelings of our hearts, lift spirits, and bring us closer to the divine. In fact, it has been said that we get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.
For More Information
PowerofGratitude.org
GiveThanks.ChurchofJesusChrist.org