The following is an outline of tonight's FHE lesson:
Introduce the scripture we will be "ponderizing" for the next two weeks (since we will be out of town next week for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we are having our Thanksgiving lesson now and will ponder this scripture both weeks).
Introduce the scripture we will be "ponderizing" for the next two weeks (since we will be out of town next week for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we are having our Thanksgiving lesson now and will ponder this scripture both weeks).
Doctrine & 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.”
What does it mean to “receive all things with thankfulness”?
What are you thankful for?
Are you thankful for hard things? For trials?
The Lord didn't say, “And he who receiveth easy things with thankfulness...” or “And he who receiveth fun things with thankfulness...” He said “all things”.
How can we be thankful for our trials?
(The following list of ways we can be thankful, even during trying times comes from this website.)
(The following list of ways we can be thankful, even during trying times comes from this website.)
- Grateful people don’t expect that life is going to give them everything they deserve. They realize that good things do not always happen to good people, and they have given up the notion that life “owes them” anything more than it can offer. Cancer, afflictions, and even the death of innocent people are unfortunately part of life. Tsunamis and natural disasters can wipe out even a community of unsuspecting people, and the unfairness of life is regrettable and tragic for sure. The question is not if life is unfair, but can we move on in spite of it.
- They do not have preconditions to their happiness. They do not think “If this happens” only then “I will be happy.” They understand happiness is not coming from the outside, but from within. They focus more on their adjustment to what happens rather than try to change what can not be changed. They do not attempt to micromanage people and things in their lives that are not really in their control.
- People who are grateful have realized that you can not have the rainbow without the rain. Furthermore, they know that you don’t have honey without the bee, and you can’t have the rose without the thorns. They see rainy days as a normal part of life rather than an aberration, and learn from the rain rather than just wait for it to go away. They admire the beauty of the rose even though it has its thorny side, and savor the sweet taste of honey even though the bee can sting. Realizing you can not have one without the other, they are grateful for both.
- Grateful people have hope. No matter what happens, hope is not lost. They realize the future is uncertain, and while they plan for it, they do not try to micromanage outcomes that are beyond their sphere of influence. They take comfort in the fact that once the sun sets, it rises the next day. They have faith that there is more to life.
- Those who are steeped in bitterness and grudges have no space in their heart to be grateful. Forgive others for not acting or being like you had hoped. Maybe you need to set limits on your interaction with them, or distance yourself altogether as in the case of abuse, but carrying the torch of bitterness is going to hurt you more than them. As Buddha said,“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
- People who are grateful know that a grateful attitude takes work. Gratefulness does not always come naturally, especially in the most challenging times. In such times, grateful people work on keeping a good perspective. They might read affirmations, seek support from others, get help for their sadness or anxiety. Some will seek counseling and do not shy away from the effort it takes.
- Grateful people have healthy thinking habits. They go by the motto,“Think Straight – Feel Great!” They can separate their perceptions from the facts and separate rational from victim-like irrational ways of thinking. For example, they will replace victim self- talk such as “They make me so mad” to victor self-talk such as “I was mad when they did that.” All-or-nothing irrational thinking such as “It’s awful” and “I can’t stand it” is reserved for the most life threatening circumstance, rather than everyday petty annoyances and slights.
- Grateful people are flexible in their thinking. People who think flexibly are at an advantage in life, as flexibility is the key to growth and wisdom. They don’t cling stubbornly with ways of thinking that do not work, and do not need to see a shift in attitude as meaning a personal defeat and referendum of how wrong they used to be. They realize they can choose their perceptions and have a right to change their minds. With this mentality, the doors that close yield others that now become open.
- People who love to learn tend to be grateful. Each setback or unforeseen life event offers us lessons, and grateful people focus more on the lessons they can get out of each situation rather than the disappointments. After all, life is a great teacher and teaches us things that no one ever could. Even mistakes and failures are seen as learning opportunities.
- Grateful people define their self worth by their determination and their dreams, not their regrets and disappointments. A grateful mindset has no room for excessive self-recrimination and low self esteem. People who are stuck in past regrets and see themselves as losers in life or as having failed badly in even certain areas of their lives will not be able to be truly grateful. Positive self esteem sets the foundation for gratefulness. So if you are down on yourself, this is a time to get a mental health tune up!
What does the Lord promise in D&C 78:19 to those who will receive all things with thankfulness?
- Shall be made glorious
- The things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.
How have you been blessed when you were thankful, even for hard things?
Show Video “Thanksgiving Daily” on the YouTube Mormon Channel
Give each person a paper and tell them to go throughout the house and write down 15 things they are thankful for. Encourage them to look for things that they usually don't notice or think about. Tell them to include 3-5 things that they would normally see as a negative thing, but that they can be thankful for.
Ask each family member to put their list somewhere that will help them to remember to be thankful in all things. Challenge them to “ponderize” D&C 78:19 for the next two weeks and encourage them to show gratitude to Heavenly Father, family and friends every day.
Close by sharing testimonies.
