News Story

Giving Thanks: An Attitude of Gratitude

No matter the season, the following words are a gentle reminder to be grateful and give thanks for all we have by opening our hearts and hands to those in need:

Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When they needed my help, was I there?

(“Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223)

Oft-quoted and learned from childhood, the teaching “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) complements a quote from President Thomas S. Monson: “Well could we reflect upon our lives as individuals. We will soon discover much to prompt our personal gratitude” (“An Attitude of Gratitude,” April 1992 general conference).

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteer and often initiate projects in their communities to help others in need. Here are some examples from Mormons in three different provinces.

 

ALBERTA

Calgary — Mayor Naheed Nenshi joined friends and members of the Church at this year’s Calgary City Wide Food Drive on September 17, where expectations were exceeded with 458,750 pounds of food plus over $10,000 in cash, cheques and online donations.

Edmonton — Extensive video coverage by Shaw TV followed a Mormon family with two young children during a recent city-wide food drive (see Edmonton Food Drive).

Okotoks — Members of the Sheep River Ward were grateful for the overwhelming support of the food drive in their community. Teens and younger children were excited to be involved and to help sort the items.

NOVA SCOTIA

Bridgewater — Members of the Bridgewater Ward visited Hinchinbrook Farm, a therapeutic riding centre for children with special needs. The Church members trimmed low branches, built up the trail, cut wood, cleaned the pasture and kept the chipper busy diminishing the huge pile of brush.

Another group provided hours of valuable service at Long Lake Camp just outside Bridgewater, where the annual Church youth conference was held in the summer. The camp is owned and operated by the Baptist Church.

Cole Harbour — Church members of all ages enjoyed a successful activity at the Akoma Family Centre, near Cole Harbour, revamping the outdoor play area — hard work that was greatly appreciated.

Greenwood — Members of the Kentville Ward and Greenwood Branch joined forces to make a difference in the community by picking up litter along a popular walking trail and resetting tipped headstones and footstones at the Old Tremont Cemetery, including moving a 1,300-pound headstone up a hill and back onto the base from which it had toppled.

ONTARIO

Ottawa — Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Ottawa Ontario Stake supports the annual “Thanks for Giving” Food Drive, for which almost 80,000 pounds of food were collected last year. Gail Haarsma, stake public affairs director, is a big promoter. “Every October I look forward to taking part in such a worthwhile cause,” she said. “It’s always gratifying to see how extraordinarily generous the Ottawa community is.”

Since 2014, the Ottawa Ontario Stake has partnered with the local chapter of Canadian Blood Services (CBS) to spearhead blood drives and host triennial clinics in its Church buildings. According to Glenn Crowe, Ottawa event co-ordinator for CBS, every clinic sponsored by the Church has reached or surpassed its quota, a feat not matched by most clinics.

Bishop Rob Graham of the Champlain Ward said, “Giving blood is a great opportunity to serve our community in times of need. I can’t think of a more selfless way to support and provide for our neighbours.”

“A grateful heart,” says President Thomas S. Monson, “comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort — at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude” (“The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” October 2010 general conference).

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