1 Nephi 5:2 Park the “wambulance”
Elder Jeffrey R.
Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Speak encouragingly,
including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. … No
misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse” (“The Tongue of
Angels,” Ensign, May 2007, 18).
1 Nephi 5:9 Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
President David O.
McKay (1873–1970), quoting an unknown author, explained how to feel sincere
gratitude: “In secret prayer go into the room, close the door, pull down the
shades, and kneel in the center of the room. For a period of five minutes or
so, say nothing. Just think of what God has done for you” (In Conference Report,
Apr. 1946, 114).
Elder David A. Bednar:
Prayer becomes more
meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
“During our service at
Brigham Young University–Idaho, Sister Bednar and I frequently hosted General
Authorities in our home. Our family learned an important lesson about
meaningful prayer as we knelt to pray one evening with a member of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles.
“Earlier in the day Sister
Bednar and I had been informed about the unexpected death of a dear friend, and
our immediate desire was to pray for the surviving spouse and children. As I
invited my wife to offer the prayer, the member of the Twelve, unaware of the
tragedy, graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only
appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. His counsel was similar to Alma’s instruction to
the members of the ancient Church “to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks
in all things” (Mosiah 26:39). Given the unexpected tragedy, requesting
blessings for our friends initially seemed to us more urgent than expressing
thanks.
“Sister Bednar responded
in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for
meaningful and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated
sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as the Comforter and for the gifts of the
Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most importantly,
she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice
of Jesus Christ, for His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of
the restored gospel which make it possible for families to be together forever.
“Our family learned from
that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful
prayer. Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with
inspiration about a number of issues that were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts.
We learned that our gratefulness for the plan of happiness and for the Savior’s
mission of salvation provided needed reassurance and strengthened our
confidence that all would be well with our dear friends. We also received
insights concerning the things about which we should pray and appropriately ask
in faith.
“The most meaningful and
spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and
few, if any, requests. As I am blessed now to pray with apostles and prophets,
I find among these modern-day leaders of the Savior’s Church the same
characteristic that describes Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon: these are
men whose hearts swell with thanksgiving to God for the many privileges and
blessings which He bestows upon His people (see Alma 48:12). Also, they do not
multiply many words, for it is given unto them what they should pray, and they
are filled with desire (see 3 Nephi 19:24). The prayers of prophets are
childlike in their simplicity and powerful because of their sincerity.
“As we strive to make our
prayers more meaningful, we should remember that “in nothing doth man offend
God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand
in all things, and obey not his commandments” (D&C 59:21). Let me recommend
that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and
express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to
communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts” “(Pray Always,” April
General Conference 2008).
