Latter-day Saints have been preaching the need for gratitude since the days of Joseph Smith. Whether it’s used as a measure of discipleship, a mark of holiness, or a fruit of forgiveness, the benefits of gratitude are legion. These inspiring Latter-day Saint quotes on gratitude from general conferences and BYU devotionals help make everyday a day of “thanksgiving.”
Table of contents
General conference quotes about gratitude
Reverence for the givers
We will receive physical life in the hereafter, and eternal salvation and exaltation—if we choose it—all because of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Every time we use, benefit from, or even think of these gifts, we ought to consider the sacrifice, generosity, and compassion of the givers. Reverence for the givers does more than just make us grateful. Reflecting on Their gifts can and should transform us.
Elder Dale G. Renlund, “Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God“
Deep gratitude
For elders, deep gratitude will be essential to playing your part in full priesthood service.
President Henry B. Eyring, “That He May Become Strong Also“
Tears of gratitude
[The] Day of Judgment will be a day of mercy and love—a day when broken hearts are healed, when tears of grief are replaced with tears of gratitude, when all will be made right.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “President Dieter F. Uchtdorf“
The feeling of forgiveness
Of all the blessings we can count, the greatest by far is the feeling of forgiveness that comes as we partake of the sacrament.
President Henry B. Eyring, “Gratitude on the Sabbath Day“
A way we remember Him
Gratefully remembering the assistance of others and the Spirit’s guiding influence is a way we remember Him. It is a way we count our many blessings and see what God hath done.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “Always Remember Him“
The parent of all virtues
Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances”
A measure of our love
Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for Him.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Thanks Be to God“
A tapestry of gratitude
The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not“
Giving a present
Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
President Thomas S. Monson, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude“
Constantly reflecting
Gratitude may be increased by constantly reflecting on our blessings and giving thanks for them in our daily prayers.
Elder Steven E. Snow, “Gratitude“
Prayers of thanksgiving
Sometimes, I feel, we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received.
Elder Lloyd P. George, “Gratitude“
Attitude of gratitude
We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.
President Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude“
Awareness and effort
Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it. Frequently we are oblivious to the Lord’s hand. We murmur, complain, resist, criticize; so often we are not grateful.
Bonnie D. Parkin, “Gratitude: A Path to Happiness“
Depth of service
The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude.
Elder Gordon T. Watts, “Gratitude“
A mark of a noble soul
Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Live in Thanksgiving Daily”
King Benjamin
King Benjamin’s teaching had a miraculous effect. Gratitude for what they had led to faith unto repentance. That led to forgiveness. That produced new gratitude. And then King Benjamin taught that, if we can remember and so remain grateful, we will retain a remission of our sins through all the losses and the gains of life.
Bishop Henry B. Eyring, “Remembrance and Gratitude“
Tug-of-war
It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum.
Elder James E. Faust, “Gratitude As a Saving Principle“
A foundation for repentance
The Lord said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) Our obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments is the greatest expression of love and gratitude that we can bestow upon him.
Gratitude is also the foundation upon which repentance is built.
Bishop Robert D. Hales, “Gratitude for the Goodness of God“
What Jesus did
All people who understand what Jesus did for us ought to love him and demonstrate that love by rendering to him, in a realistic manner, thanks and gratitude.
President Marion G. Romney, “Gratitude and Thanksgiving“
Prayer becomes more meaningful
Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others.
Elder David A. Bednar, “Pray Always“
Gratitude journal
I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.
President Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember“
Twin characteristics
Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness.
Bishop Richard C. Edgley, “The Empowerment of Humility“
Genuine love and gratitude
Our obedience to God’s commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God. This form of genuine love and gratitude will miraculously merge our works with God’s grace. Virtue will garnish our thoughts unceasingly, and our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace“
Ministering
May we show our gratitude and love for God by ministering with love to our eternal sisters and brothers.
Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does“
Overshadowing sacrifice
When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement“
Future gratitude
The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May and Love It“
Gratitude quotes from BYU Devotionals
Gratitude leads to realization
Being grateful is a commandment from God, and being grateful blesses our lives through obedience to that commandment. When we express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for all things, we are humbled as we acknowledge our dependence on Him. And as we acknowledge our dependence on our Heavenly Father and all He does for us, we realize His eternal love for us and His desire for us to have joy in this life.
Peggy S. Worthen, “Gratitude amid Chaos“
Guarding against the pride cycle
Recognize that all good things come from God. He is the source of every blessing you receive. Fill your heart with gratitude for His merciful kindness. Treasure and follow the counsel of His servants. Your gratitude will inoculate you against pride and make a way for your escape from the pride cycle.
Elder Wilford W. Andersen, “The Pride Cycle“
Leads to happiness
The theme of gratitude has been addressed by every latter-day prophet—and more often than almost any other topic. Our inspired leaders know that being grateful leads to happiness, and they are compelled to remind us.
Elder Larry R. Lawrence, “Choose Happiness“
Beauties of the earth
God’s beauties of the earth are all around us and He wants us to find them and feel gratitude for them. All we have to do is open our eyes to see them or our ears to hear them.
Rickelle Richards, “Beauties of the Earth“
How gratitude works
It is interesting how gratitude works. We think we are giving back to the Lord by being grateful, but instead the Lord blesses us still more—for being grateful.
Cheryl A. Esplin, “The Abundant Life“
Scientific research
Over the past decade there has been a growing body of scientific literature linking the practice of consistent or “chronic” gratitude with a host of positive outcomes for our lives. Said one researcher, “The practice of gratitude is incompatible with negative emotions and may actually diminish or deter such feelings as anger, bitterness, and greed.”
Ray L. Huntington, “A Grateful Heart“
Liking what you have
One of my favorite definitions of happiness is not having what you like but liking what you have. Many hours may be wasted in thinking about what one may not have rather than what one does have. Gratitude and happiness seem to be linked together in our lives. Gratitude enables us to have peace and happiness.
Sharon G. Samuelson, “Gratitude—A Commandment of God“
Take things with gratitude
We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all of those—past and present—who have given so much of themselves that we might have so much for ourselves. Take things with gratitude rather than for granted.
President Thomas S. Monson, “‘Doubt Not, Fear Not’“
The mark of a noble soul
Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “‘Live in Thanksgiving Daily’“
The least of virtues
The expression of gratitude means that we recognize the value of what we have received and we are willing to bear a small cost to reveal this to God. Perhaps this is why some mistakenly say, “Gratitude is the least of virtues, but ingratitude is the worst of vices” (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia [1732], no. 1749).
Rulon D. Pope, “Free-Riding and Gratitude“
Blessings stem from gratitude
That righteousness, that power, that glory—indeed, all of our many blessings—stem from our knowledge of, obedience to, and our gratitude and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ“
Just one minute
Could we add just one minute of thanks to each prayer we offer? Just one minute? God gives us the gift of 1,440 minutes every single day. Have we used any of those minutes on this beautiful day to say “Thank you” to Him? Has it been a while since you’ve offered a prayer with only expressions of gratitude? Has it been a while since you’ve fasted to express thanks to Heavenly Father? Has it been a while since you felt happy and content through and through? I hope you can feel that way today and during the coming days of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mary Ellen Edmunds, “Godliness with Contentment“
A great human accomplishment
There can be no doubt that gratitude is one of the great human accomplishments and ingratitude one of the great human failings. Scriptures, both ancient and modern, are very clear on this subject.
Rex E. Lee, “Overcoming Ingratitude“
Ultimate maturity
Appreciation for all people and events that come into our lives is most important because it is God’s way of helping us to grow. The ultimate maturity is being able to feel and express appreciation promptly, being fully aware of the value and importance, and showing gratitude for it.
Marvin J. Ashton, “‘And in Everything Give Thanks’“
Measured by action
Thankfulness may indeed be measured by the number of words we use. Gratitude, however, must be measured by the nature of our actions.
Dee F. Andersen, “Thanks-Living“
Holiness
When Paul wrote to Timothy about the latter days, he gave as one of the signs of the times the fact that people would become “unthankful, unholy” (2 Timothy 3:2). This is an interesting combination of words—that one with ungrateful attitudes can be unholy, their roots being in the same evil source. Ingratitude, of course, is unholy from every standpoint. It is evil in itself. Let’s turn to appreciation, gratitude, and thanks.
Fred A. Schwendiman, “Thanks Be to God“
Thanksgiving Day
We are indebted to the Lord, and I trust that as we approach Thanksgiving Day, we will make it more than a day of recreation and pleasure by reflecting on what we owe the Lord for the blessings that are ours.
Elder Legrand Richards, “Thanksgiving“
Growth and progress
Why does the lack of appreciation offend God and kindle his wrath? Not because he needs to see and hear our appreciation and gratitude, but because he knows an absence of appreciation on the part of anyone causes personal stagnation. Our growth and our progress are delayed when we fail to feel and express appreciation.
Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “Appreciation—A Sign of Maturity“
365 days a year
Like the commemoration of Easter and Christmas, the commemoration of Thanksgiving ought to last 365 days in the year.
Sterling W. Sill, “Thanksgiving“
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