Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
By Jim Greer
LW contributor
Twenty-eight years ago, in the April General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson gave an inspirational speech on gratitude. He recalled how in Luke, Chapter 17, Christ entered a Samaritan village and was approached by 10 lepers. They pleaded, “‘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.” One Samaritan, noticing he was whole, immediately turned and fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Seeing that only one returned, Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Though disappointed with the nine, Christ acknowledged the former leper’s gratitude and declared, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:11–19.) Elder Monson compared the ancient world’s plague of leprosy with modern epidemics of selfishness, greed, cruelty, and crime.
“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.”
Ingratitude is indeed a grave sin, but President Monson declared that gratitude is among the noblest virtues. To help us develop an attitude of gratitude, President Monson identified six points of gratitude to observe.
The first point is gratitude for mothers. Amidst the crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated gratitude for his mother by designating her care to his trusted disciple when he said, “Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26–27.) The second point is gratitude for fathers. Christ expresses his appreciation for his father by doing his will. He did so from the pre-mortal existence, through the creation, during his ministry, and does his father’s will today.
Elder Monson’s third point of gratitude is for those teachers who shape their pupils’ expectations and ambitions, who influence attitudes and embed aspirations for the future. “Let us ever have an attitude of gratitude for our teachers.” Fourth, have gratitude for our friends. Jesus speaks the word “friend” with reverence. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14.) Real friends are like the savior: patient, kind, long-suffering, they put up with our quirks, and forgive our mistakes.
The fifth is gratitude for our country. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Those who made the supreme sacrifice deserve our gratitude, which should not be confined solely to Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Sixth and most significant is gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be thankful for the one whose gospel answers life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? He teaches us how to pray, live, die and, most importantly, how to live eternally.
He is our master and our savior. The Son of God, the author of our salvation who beckons, “Follow me” (Matt. 4:19). “Let us follow him. Let us emulate his example. Let us obey his word. By so doing, we give to him the divine gift of gratitude.”
