Gratitude is an action word!

Yesterday was Sunday, November 22. Since it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I thought that it would be a nice opportunity for me to speak to the members of our congregation about ‘Gratitude’. So I was given the opportunity, and I did just that. In preparing, I directed my attention to the Book of Mormon Study Guide in my Spanish language copy of the 'Libro de Mormón'. Under the entry for 'Gratitude' there are only 5 words. It says, “Gratitud. Véase acción de gracia.” – In English, “Gratitude. See action of thankfulness.”

Gratitude is an action word!

What a wonderful concept! Gratitude is not simply a feeling. It is, at least as importantly, an action.

Then, looking under ‘Action of thankfulness,’ one is referred to Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 1:15-16 it says:

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

We are to be unceasing in giving of thanks! So Gratitude is a verb… an action verb. We should show gratitude in our prayers, in our conversations, and in our actions. We should express unceasing gratitude to our Heavenly Father, to our Savior Jesus Christ, and to one another. We can show gratitude in our loving expressions to one another. And, we can also show gratitude through our actions. As we lovingly serve one another, we are serving our Father in Heaven.

In the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 2:17 we read:

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

We show gratitude by serving one another, and in doing so we are serving the Lord.

In this season in which we are reminded in our celebration of Thanksgiving Day to show gratitude, let us remember that gratitude is an action word. As we unceasingly show gratitude and love to others through our actions, we are giving thanks to our Father in Heaven.

May our Father in Heaven’s choicest blessings be showered upon each of you who read this, and your families.

With our gratitude, and love to all,
Jeff and Ruth Ellen and family