5 thoughts from Latter-day Saint leaders on the meaning of gratitude

For one Thanksgiving feast in the mid 1990s, President Russell M. Nelson and his wife counted 63 people at their home.

Speaking to a BYU devotional audience in 1995, then-Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles related how his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, distributed a sheet of paper to each person with the heading, "This year, I am thankful for ..." and each person was instructed to complete the thought in writing or by drawing a picture.

As each paper was collected and read aloud, President Nelson observed a pattern, he said.

"Generally, the children were thankful for food, clothing, shelter, family (and, occasionally, pets). Their pictures were precious, though not likely to be shown in an art gallery," President Nelson said. "Our youth broadened their expressions to include gratitude for their country, freedom and Church. The adults noted most of those items, but in addition mentioned the temple, their love of the Lord and appreciation for his Atonement. Their hopes were combined with gratitude."

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gestures to attendees

"Counting blessings," he concluded, "is better than recounting problems."

While delivering a general conference address in April 2012, President Nelson shared this thought on the subject of gratitude.

"How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him," President Nelson said. "Ammon taught, 'Let us give thanks to (God), for he doth work righteousness forever' (Alma 26:8). Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for Him."

As thoughts turn to counting blessings during this Thanksgiving holiday season, here are some additional thoughts from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the meaning of gratitude and thankfulness.