From Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased):
One of President N. Eldon Tanner’s favorite scriptures, which he often quoted, was this: “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.” I have found that expressing gratitude for specific blessings is an essential step to finding peace with happiness and joy. As the years have passed, I find the greater part of my prayers has become an expression of gratitude for a host of specific blessings. While that gratitude is not motivated by desire to receive greater gifts of the Spirit, they often come from a compassionate, generous Father in Heaven, who has heard my prayers.
I am confident that with a few moments of pondering, you can identify many matters for which to pour out your heart in gratitude to your Father in Heaven. I know that when you do this sincerely He will respond with love and appreciation. You will also be able to remember many reasons to thank parents, friends and even those who may have offended you with expressions of gratitude written or shared, for what they have contributed to your life.
Once I saw a sheet of paper that had thirty-seven suggestions of what a mother should do or should be. I thought a woman does not need that guilt trip. Tear it up. Just be your best selves. Don’t over program. Enjoy the life you have as mothers and wives. If a man, an important way to show greater gratitude is to consistently express the things of your heart to your wife or mother. When you do there would likely be less of a tendency for a mother who is doing very well to be overly critical of herself. Unwarranted self-criticism robs a mother of joy and a fullness of life.
For the best benefit as spiritual guidance unfolds, it must be understood, valued, used, and remembered.
- Understood. As you encounter a significant new element of truth, you should carefully examine it in the light of prior knowledge to determine where it fits. Ponder it. Inspect it. Study it from different vantage points to discover any hidden meaning. View it in perspective to confirm you have not jumped to false conclusions. Spend time in careful reflection to obtain further understanding. Such evaluation is particularly important when the truth comes as an impression of the Spirit. When you understand that acquiring and using knowledge with wisdom takes substantial commitment you will avoid the tragedy that can occur when teaching and learning become mechanical. Taken to an extreme, a process results that Elder Neal A. Maxwell characterized as transferring the professor’s notes to the student’s notebook without passing through either’s mind. 57
~Elder Richard G. Scott, Finding Peace, Happiness and Joy (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007), 84-85 (continued Express Gratitude II)
