I love reading the scriptures because they tell stories about the prophets of old. Men like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. who lived in those days but what about our day? Why them and not us? It would be unreasonable to not have a living prophet at a time when the world needs a spiritual leader like never! “Many are weary from isolation, illness, economic uncertainty, political divisiveness, fear and personal loss. For most, it feels as if discouragement and despair have swept over communities everywhere. Without a doubt, 2020 has taxed the heart and souls of citizens around the world.” Lucky for us, there is such a man. His name is Russell M. Nelson. This article in the Deseret News explains who he is.
“A former heart surgeon and faith leader for 16 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson knows a thing or two about healing human hearts. On Friday, he issued a call to the world to experience such healing. He invited the people of the world to try a somewhat unexpected remedy given the circumstances of the year — the healing power of gratitude.
President Nelson began, “As a man of science, and as a man of faith, the current worldwide pandemic has been of great concern to me. As a man of science, I appreciate the critical need to prevent the spread of infection. I also honor the devoted service of health care professionals and grieve for the many whose lives have been upended by COVID-19.”
He continued, “As a man of faith, however, I view the current pandemic as only one of many ills that plague our world, including hate, civil unrest, racism, violence, dishonesty and lack of civility.”
While experts research and develop a treatment for the novel coronavirus, he said, the cure for society’s other ailments is one that “flies in the face of our natural intuitions.”
It’s gratitude.
Sharing many difficult personal losses, including the death of his wife of 60 years and two of his nine daughters, President Nelson demonstrated how to draw strength from struggle.
“Over my nine and a half decades of life he said, “I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription.”
Typical of President Nelson, he wasn’t content to deliver to the weary people of the world a sugar-coated placebo. He said, “As a doctor, I know the value of good therapy. So, dear friends, may I prescribe two activities to help us experience the healing power of gratitude.”
His first invitation was to take to social media and use it like a personal gratitude journal for the next seven days. Flooding the internet with hope, light and thanksgiving is surely an effective weapon to fend off the darkness and discord of the moment.
For those who have lost much during this pandemic, giving thanks for broken lives or battered hopes may seem a terrible task, but science is on your side. Researchers have long associated regular expressions of gratitude with healthier relationships and happier lives. President Nelson affirmed as much, suggesting more happiness and peace would accompany those who gave their thanks.
He then offered a second invitation: “Let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer,” he said, adding that “prayer brings forth miracles.”
Regardless of faith, belief or tradition, every resident of this earth would benefit greatly by accepting President Nelson’s two-part invitation. It’s a recipe to dispel doubt, discouragement and despair at a time when the world needs copious amounts of their opposites.
We encourage all to try the healing power of gratitude.”
Con amor,
Vero
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