President Thomas S. Monson on giving thanks for our blessings

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 1927) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley until becoming Church president in 2008.

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love.

"My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, 'When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.' (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley p. 250)...

"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

- Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," Ensign, Nov 2010, pp. 87-90
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The person who learns to "walk with gratitude" or "live with gratitude" is doubly-blessed. In recognizing and acknowledging blessings, he not only "unlocks the doors of heaven" but learns to "feel God's love." It changes the way we perceive the world around us, and the circumstances of our lives, in a profound way.

I think President Monson is a wonderful example of this principle. His joyful life of service demonstrates an awareness of who he is in God's eyes, and his deep and sincere gratitude for the blessings he has been given. He truly has touched heaven, and invites us to follow that example.