Sunday Lesson: Apr 27th

Tiffanie Huntley taught the RS lesson this past Sunday. The lesson came from the very recent General Conference talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,Grateful in Any Circumstances. To start the lesson off Sis. Huntley gave us a note card and told us to write down the things we are grateful for, in only 30 seconds. Then, we turned the note card over and wrote down the things we feel we can improve on, in 30 seconds as well. Sis. Huntley pointed out that if we found it easy to think of things we are grateful for, we are already being grateful in our circumstances, we are choosing to be grateful.

Pres. Uchtdorf teaches us that even though we will all be faced with trial and bitterness in our lives, "there is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. We can be grateful!" "Why does God command us to be grateful? Our loving Heavenly Father knows that by choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness." It may be very hard to be grateful when our world is falling apart. Pres. Uchtdorf suggests that being grateful for thing is the wrong approach. He suggests that "we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation. Instead of being grateful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances - whatever they may be."

We can choose to be grateful, just like Nephi when his brothers tied him up. Job was grateful even though his whole world was falling apart taken from him. The pioneers maintained an attitude of gratitude as they crossed the plains, singing and dancing as they went. Joseph Smith continued to be grateful for his blessing even while being held prisoner in horrible conditions. Pres. Uchtdorf says, "When we are grateful to God in our circumstances we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation." Gratitude is an act of faith; it requires us to trust God and hope for things better.

Pres. Uchtdorf teaches us that because we are eternal beings, the endings in life seem unacceptable to us. "Why is this?" he asks. "Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings....ending are not our destiny." "The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that ending here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions."

"Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires our humanity and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God's creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues."

See the entire talk HERE