On Thursday, while families all over the United States were gathering for their Thanksgiving celebrations, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his family, including 10 of his 17 grandchildren, brought Thanksgiving to 1,516 who are away from their homes serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, taught them that living in thanksgiving will serve as a tool for overcoming difficulties during their missions.
“On your mission, there will be times when you will need to think of all the things you are thankful for as you confront unimagined challenges,” Elder Andersen said. “As you keep a spirit of thankfulness, you will have courage to overcome these obstacles.”
While many blessings are uniquely personal, Elder Andersen explained that there are three blessings that are given to all: 1. “Our Very Lives,” 2. “Our Ability to Choose,” and 3. Jesus Christ.
Sister Andersen preceded her husband and shared an experience that helped her realize that, in her prayers, her expressions of gratitude were disproportionate to her pleas for help.
“A ‘thank you so very much for my many blessings’ is not sufficient,” she said.
Read more about Elder and Sister Andersen’s remarks on TheChurchNews.com.