Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Washington Utah Stake:
Thank you for responding to our prophet’s invitation to flood our social media accounts with messages of gratitude. I am excited that we have reclaimed that platform for the expression of positive and uplifting messages. What a joy it is to share our testimonies of faith and strength as we count the blessings of heaven and the gospel of Jesus Christ that fill our lives here on earth.
The scriptures remind us of many things we can be grateful for. In the Book of Mormon, Jacob, the brother of Nephi, had a difficult time engraving his record on the plates. Even though it was hard, he was glad to do it because it would last for years and years. He hoped that whoever finally read those words (the Book of Mormon) would receive them with a thankful heart. (Jacob 4:3.)
The people of Alma thanked the Lord for delivering them out of bondage and for easing their burdens while they were slaves. You might think there would not be much to be thankful for if you were a slave. But the people of Alma knew that the Lord had blessed them when they needed comfort. In the valley of Alma, all the men, all the women, and all the children who could speak lifted their voices to thank and praise God, (Mosiah 24:20–22).
Jesus revealed His feeling about ingratitude when only one of ten lepers who had been healed turned back and gave thanks. Luke tells us that “it came to pass, as [Jesus] went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
“And they lifted up their voices, and said, 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.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” (Luke 17:11–18.)
Christ set an example in giving thanks when, at the Last Supper, “as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
“And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank :of it.” (Mark 14:22–23)
To the Lord Jesus, who bought us with a great price, we owe an undying debt of gratitude. It is impossible for us, weak mortals as we are, to fully comprehend and appreciate the suffering He endured on the cross so that He might gain for us victory over death. And even less can we understand the suffering He endured in Gethsemane so that we might obtain forgiveness of our sins. “Which suffering,” He said, “caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink” (D&C 19:18).
The Lord has revealed that we must give Him credit for our gifts and our accomplishments and be grateful for all things that He confers upon us. I am grateful to Him for the privilege of being in His service. I appreciate the opportunities that I have that I can serve Him in some way and always show my gratitude.
May we remember our prophet’s invitation and continue to use our technology to connect and minister to one another. Keep that gratitude journal filling those airwaves. We love you and pray the Lord’s blessings upon you for following His prophet’s counsel and building His kingdom.
In closing, a thought from President Noel Jackson copied from his FB account: “I'm thankful that I can express gratitude often (not limited to once each day) and continually (not limited to seven days) and however I can (not limited social media).”#GiveThanks
President Joel Beckstrand
Stake Presidency Second Counselor
Washington Utah Stake Presidency
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