An Attitude Of Gratitude

Neil A. Anderson has said - “We live in an exciting time. Never in the history of the earth has our Heavenly Father given so much to His children. I fear that, with our abundance of luxuries, our automobiles and cell phones, our video games and GPS navigation systems, our lives of plenty and ease, we sometimes forget to ‘confess the Lord’s hand in all things.’”

Gordon B. Hinckley shared similar thoughts:  "Be grateful.  How thankful we ought to be.  How comfortably we live.  How very easy is life compared to what it once was. . . .  We have it so easy, so pleasant, so delightful.  We ride in cars that are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  What a great season in the history of the world this is in which to be alive... [We have] the miracles of medicine,the miracles of science, the miracles of communication, transportation, education -- what a wonderful time in which to live.  Of all of these wondrous, challenging things with which we live, I hope you regard it a blessing to be alive in this great age of the world. . . .  I hope you walk with gratitude in your hearts, really. Grateful people are respectful people. Grateful people are courteous people. Grateful people are kindly people. Be grateful."

Joseph F. Smith said the following: "I believe that one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of ingratitude, the want of acknowledgement, on their part, of God and his right to govern and control. We see a man raised up with extraordinary gifts, or with great intelligence.  He attributes his success to his own energies, labor and mental capacity. He does not acknowledge the hand of God in anything connected with his success, but ignores him altogether and takes the honor to himself."

Take for instance a farmer, who grows tomatoes, and is very proud of the bright red, juicy tomatoes that he is now enjoying.  He thinks he has a right to be proud, after all, he tilled the ground, planted the seeds, watered them, and nurtured them.  But has he given thought to who provided the seed, who provided the fertile soil, who provided the water, who provided the sunlight, and who provided the knowledge of how to grow tomatoes?  How much better to live with an "attitude of gratitude", and remember to count your blessings!