Gratitude, as stated by the Oxford Unabridged, can be defined as the quality of being thankful; but there is another part that is inherent in the definition that we often overlook.  Gratitude is also (according to Oxford) a readiness to show appreciation for and return the kindness given.   That’s a deeper connotation than simply being thankful.  Gratitude is somewhat, or at least hinted at, that it is supposed to be reciprocal in nature.  If we are grateful for the blessings we readily receive of the Lord, then isn’t it required that we bless others to show our thanks?  For when we are in the service of our fellowman, we are only in the service of our God.

There is much in this world that seems to impede many from being grateful.  If one is disposed to the negative in life, challenges both temporal and spiritual can certainly make the weak doubt and question.   The scriptures teach us that “Satan is abroad in the land and he goeth forth to deceive the nations—seeking whom he will devour”.  But much more in our lives is predisposed to be quite merciful and loving if we look, like the Israelites of old, to the Savior and live.  As we look at the generous consecration of God’s, love, mercy, and gifts to us, we will find that His promises are always kept, and His ways are always leading us to a better place.  Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the following: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.” He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”   President Smith is telling us that a prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude.

The Scriptures are replete with the concept of gratitude and what is often stated as thanksgiving.   The Israelites of old were commanded to give offerings to the Lord in thanksgiving as well as supplication and prayer. In Psalms 50:14, 15 we read, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”  Paul to the Corinthians compared the blessings of God to the temporal needs of man which are satisfied by the Lord-- “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.  For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; (2^nd Corinthians 9: 10-12).  Paul again to the Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. 

It is not by happenstance that the gratitude in prayer seems to be routinely coupled with a command by the Lord to call upon him and to make our requests known by the prayer of faith.  It would seem that this would make sense, as commonly we are taught that prayer is done as follows: Address our Father in Heaven, thank Him for our abundant blessings, ask for the desires of our heart following the Spirit, and close with, as we do all things in the Church, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Yes, that is the pattern of prayer, but I think that the Lord is asking for something much deeper when it comes to prayer and thanksgiving.  In the Book of Mormon,  In Ether 1 verse 34 were introduced to the brother of Jared, a faithful, favored servant of the Lord during the time of the Tower of Babel.  We read: (read Ether 1: 34-39).  Okay, we know now what transpires after that story, but I there was a little struggle before the miracles happened that the brother of Jared had to experience.  In Ether 2, we read: (Ether 2: 13-14).  Now the Lord forgave Ether and he was able to have the most wonderful experience of seeing the premortal Christ.  But the message I think is clear.  I find it hard to believe that the brother of Jared didn’t pray for four full years.  It would seem contrary to the character of a favored prophet of the Lord.  But to call upon the Lord denotes something more, it means to cry unto Him, to supplicate, to be genuine, perhaps to fast with all sincerity—so that we learn to exert faith, patience, and grow spiritually.  When we do, we understand and have a greater capacity for gratitude.  Perhaps some opposition and affliction is not only necessary, but requisite to us gaining a truer understanding of the Lord’s constant protection, love, deliverance, forgiveness, and power.  When we understand it, we are grateful indeed. 

Let’s give another example from the scriptures:  One of the great parts of the scriptures is Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.   In 1 Nephi 8: 5-12.  Lehi was in the space for many hours, before he began to plead for the tender mercies of the Lord.  And then the blessing came, and it filled him with joy.  And then he began to share it.  All of these events are patterned after other examples in the scriptures.

We show are gratitude by sharing the blessings that we receive from God with others.  We show are gratitude by acknowledging his hand in all things; in fact it is the height of ingratitude as find in D&C 59:21—“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments”. 

And yes, we show our gratitude, uniquely, and extraordinarily by calling on the Lord for specific blessings, rescues (for both ourselves and others), and for miracles to occur if it be the will of the Lord.  Brothers and sisters we receive not, because we ask not.  Are we not in the midst of darkness today?  I certainly think we are and I know that I’m just as culpable as the brother of Jared in forgetting to call upon the Lord, and like Lehi, ask for the darkness to lift for both myself and my brethren.  We may say to ourselves, I don’t want to burden the Lord.  My problems must seem minuscule compared to the suffering of others, I don’t want to appear that I’m complaining to the Lord.  Supplication is not complaining; and the Lord is not too busy for you—in fact he wants us to ask, he is pleading for us to ask; in fact, He may give us trials, just so we will ask. For if we have no need, wherein would we supplicate the Lord—if we have no want, for what purpose would we be grateful?  The challenges are before us so that we will first call upon the name of God, plead for his deliverance, come closer to Christ, and our gratitude to Him will be undeniably full (and reciprocate). 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the Gospel, it is that the Lord exudes mercy, love and generosity concerning the gifts he wishes to give us.  I truly marvel at that.  I know how sometimes I can let anger get the best of me, or a careless word or two can be insensitive, or just the frailties of human condition and weakness, can make it seem hard for the Spirit to work in me.  And yet it does, and the Lord still uses me, despite my imperfections.  Of this I’m most grateful.  Dieter F. Uchtdorf said the following this year to the young women of the Church:  “Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.  The Lord’s commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help to close the umbrella. Should we not cherish the light posts (or the commandments) He has given that guide us through the darkness and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly home!”  I’m so grateful for the commandments that teach me the correct way to live the Gospel and return to my Father in Heaven.

How important is it to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness? Joseph Smith said this about giving thanks:  If you will thank the Lord with all your heart, every night, for all the blessings of that day; you will eventually find yourself exalted in the kingdom of God.”  A testament to gratitude!  And a lesson to us all.  Also in the Doctrine and Covenants 78:19: "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."  

Gratitude brings forth the blessings of heaven.