THE DAY OF THANKS WILL BE which is the first anniversary of my mother’s death. It’s been over two years since our daughter passed away.

Thanksgiving is a time when family comes together, remembers our blessings, expresses gratitude, and recognizes the goodness of the Lord, even in adversity.

As a young missionary in France, we regularly taught the importance of prayer. Occasionally we would teach someone who had never prayed. We explained that prayer should begin with addressing Heavenly Father and then thanking God for our blessings.

The prophet Alma taught: “Counsel the Lord in all your actions, and he will direct you to good; yea, when you lie down at night, lie down before the Lord, that he may watch over you while you sleep; and when you get up in the morning, let your heart be full of gratitude to God; and if you do these things, you will be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:37).

The Psalmist counseled, “It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD” (Psalm 92:1).

Jesus Christ gave many examples of giving thanks in his prayers and parables.

The apostle Paul said we should “never cease to give thanks” (Ephesians 1:16).

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that we should do “all things with prayer and thanksgiving” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:7).

The prophets repeatedly asked us to give thanks to God.

Recently, President Russell M. Nelson, whom members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revere as a living prophet, taught: “I have concluded that it is far better to count our blessings than tell our problems. Whatever our circumstances, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and lasting spiritual prescription.

Nelson’s profession was a physician. Rather than a doctor giving a prescription, he prescribes a spiritual prescription as a prophet. Because our minds and bodies are one, it’s no surprise that there are also mental and physical benefits to developing a gratitude habit.

Gratitude can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Some studies show that expressing gratitude consistently lowers blood pressure, helps the immune system, and reduces physical symptoms of illness. It can even improve sleep quality, as gratitude can help calm negative, repetitive thoughts.

Gratitude is a way of recognizing the hand of the Lord in our own lives. It is an act of humility that will deepen our connection with God as we kneel before Him, opening our hearts to God in thanksgiving.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving in November to celebrate gratitude and unity amid the turmoil of the Civil War. We were a divided nation. It seems President Lincoln knew the power of gratitude to repair a nation.

Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: “Many evils afflict the world, including hatred, civil unrest, racism, violence, dishonesty, and lack of of civility. However, there is a remedy – which may seem surprising – because it goes against our natural intuitions. Nevertheless, its effects have been validated by scientists as well as men and women of faith. I am referring to the healing power of gratitude.

I can’t think of gratitude without thinking of the beloved hymn “Count Your Blessings.” He says, “Count your many blessings; Name them one by one, and you will be amazed at what the Lord has done.

As our nation celebrates Thanksgiving, may we do as the prophet Alma taught and “live daily in thanksgiving for the many mercies and blessings which (God) bestows upon us” (Alma 34:38). .

If we follow Alma’s admonitions, not just this week or this month, even in the midst of our sorrows, trials, losses, and suffering; as we live daily in thanksgiving, may we recognize God’s mercy and count our many blessings. In doing so, we will benefit from the healing power of gratitude in our lives.

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Issues of Faith is a rotating column written by faith leaders from the Northern Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles. His email is [email protected].