Jesus Gave Thanks

When Jesus came back to the Nephites for His second day among them, I believe it is instructive to see the first thing that He did. He came among them and commanded them to kneel down to pray. We read, “And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said: Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.” His first expression in His prayer was one of gratitude to His Father. After He prayed that first time, He blessed them and “the light of his countenance did shine upon them.” He commanded them to continue praying and then He prayed again, saying, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words” (3 Nephi 19:20-28). Again He started His prayer by thanking the Father for His blessings on this people. Even though He was perfect and had all power, he still showed deference to His Father and gave Him gratitude. Surely His example is meant to show us the importance of expressing thanks our hearts and in our own prayers to our Father in Heaven.   

                The Gospel writers also showed us the gratitude that the Savior expressed during His mortal ministry. In one prayer He said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25). When He multiplied the seven loaves and fishes, He started with an expression of gratitude: “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 15:36). Similarly, when He fed the five thousand, “Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would” (John 6:11). Right before He raised Lazarus from the dead, He first thanked His Father: “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me” (John 11:41). And when He gave of the Sacrament to His apostles, He also expressed thanks to the Father: “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). He did the same when He gave them of the wine: “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it” (Matthew 26:27). Clearly the Savior was full of thanks to His Father and showed us that we should likewise live with gratitude in our hearts to God for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

                Lately we have struggled in our own home to help our children feel and express gratitude for the blessings they have been given. It is difficult in our world at times to be grateful because there are always those around us who appear to have more or to possess the things that we think we want. The world would have us believe that we need more money and a bigger house and better gadgets and more luxurious vacations to be happy. But that is not what the Savior taught through His humble life devoid of just about all material possessions. Rabbi Hyman Schachtel proposed that “happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.” In other words, we will find happiness as we are grateful for what has been given us, not as we covet what we don’t have. The Savior showed us that our lives should be full of gratitude, and as we express true thanks to God—no matter how many possessions we have—we are indeed filled with joy. Like the Nephites after they were delivered from their enemies if we will “[give] thanks unto the Lord [our] God” then we too will find “exceedingly great joy” (Alma 45:1).