THANKS-GIVING

In the Scriptures the word thanksgiving is a verb, but in the modern English dictionaries its prominent usage is given as a noun, as in Thanksgiving Day.

One’s immediate reaction might be ‘so?’ Well let me tell you ‘so!’ Verbs are words alive with action. Nouns sit there identifying to the user and listener a place, person or thing. Only if we take the time to describe the noun and what it is doing does it gain life and vitality. We give life to nouns by using verbs.

We might ask ourselves, what can we do to bring verve into this Thanksgiving and cause it to come alive by becoming a glorious day of thanks-giving?

As we sit celebrating with feasting and festivity the harvest of the year’s effort, the day will start to come alive as we truly express thankfulness to all who have made the reaping a reality, who daily labor in the fields and bring the harvest to the barn.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won’t we, like Abram and Zimri, actively find a way to share our bounteousness with someone less fortunate?

We definitely show indebtedness to all those ancestors who have toiled and given that this land could bring forth riches and blessings we enjoy today by, our grateful words which we express because of their having been such wise stewards in their eras.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we, like grandpa and grandma, actively find a way to increase and brighten the legacy we are leaving to our posterity?

It is wonderful that we acknowledge the privilege of living in a society where we are free to express the desires of our soul and the frustrations of our temporal-ness.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we, like Washington and Lincoln, actively find a way to assure these fundamental rights for future generations?

It is wonderful to express how grateful we are for the comforts which bring contentedness to our daily walk.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we, like Franklin and Edison, actively find a way to smooth the way for those who walk behind?

We should take time to applaud the countless kindnesses which have been expressed through the deeds and words of those who lovingly surround the table of abundance.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we actively find a way, like Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa, to reciprocate in all ways and at all times, bestowing acts of kindness upon those wonderful ones who daily brighten our lives?

We should thankfully cheer the efforts of those who are trying to turn swords into plow shares, striving to make neighbors and nations just a little more harmonious and make our earthly home more peaceful and serene.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we actively find a way, like Gandhi and Gautama, to publish peace by being more in harmony with our neighbors both at home and abroad?

We should shout the praises of those who have dedicated their lives to lifting the weary and strengthening the weak by making possible a greater quality of health and curing the wounds of the world.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we actively find a way, like Barton and Curry, to make the physical burdens of those whose heads hang low a bit lighter?

We should always be anxious to recognize with grateful hearts He from whom all blessings flow, whose hand is constantly outstretched in love for His children.

But, if we really want to put vitality into our thanks-giving won't we actively find a way, like Moses and Joseph Smith, to put our devotion into action by showing we love Him by willingly keeping his commandments?

Thus we see that verbs give nouns life and vitality and this is how a Day of Thanksgiving is turned into a life of thanks-giving.

If we are really going to make the noun Thanksgiving Day into a verb filled life of thanks-giving, it would be well to put our verbal gratitude into action by taking the next necessary step, becoming a greater example of those things we have expressed we are thankful for.

Hopefully, as unborn generations surround bounteous tables filled with the abundance of the harvest they too will be able to add to their Thanksgiving Day by sincerely expressing gratitude to ancestors who have cared for the earth, contributed to the increase of freedom, been instruments in generating peace and harmony and left an inheritance of greater health and comfort to the world.

But if they really want to put vitality into their thanks-giving…?