Give Thanks

I am forever grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who has blessed me so plentifully, who crafted my spirit with all of its features and traits. I am thankful for His ever-provident hand in all that I do; without His direction, I would be stuck, lost, fallen.

I am thankful for a loving Savior and Eldest Brother that came into this world so willingly knowing that He would Atone for the sins of all - I am especially thankful for the fact that He voluntarily stepped up to ransom me with His divine love.

I am thankful for the Holy Ghost, my constant companion and guide along the paths of life. I am thankful the gift of the Holy Ghost. That still, small voice has provided me with much comfort and guidance.

I am thankful for the blessing and gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without it, my life has no significance, nor is it of any value. Through the enabling power of the Atonement, I can be made into so much more than I ever could become on my own. I love and appreciate that through the Savior, my faults and weaknesses can become strengths! I am thankful for repentance, being able to use my agency to change for the better.

I am thankful for the blessing of The Old and New Testaments, The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price, Scripture, both ancient and modern. I am thankful for the blessing of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and having had the blessing of being able to partake of the blessings of the Holy House of The Lord, the temple.



 

I am thankful for the blessing of knowing that there is a living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson upon the face of the earth, a man called of The Lord and ordained to guide us, as Prophets have always done since the beginning of time. I am grateful that we are led and guided from on high, that we have twelve living Apostles who are called to be Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for ecclesiastical leaders - members of the Quorums of the Seventy, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and so forth.

I am thankful for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Words cannot fully define the gratitude I have for the humble young boy Joseph Smith who knelt and offered his first uttered prayer. I am thankful for the simple question he had for Father, and that it was answered in the most miraculous way possible.

I am thankful for the Holy Priesthood of God - both Melchizedek and Aaronic.  I am eternally grateful that Father has blessed us - ordinary men – with an remarkable power; that if we are worthy, we are able to call down the very best that Heaven has to offer; without the Priesthood, I am nothing. I am grateful for the opportunities with which I have been blessed to exercise that Priesthood in service to others - strangers, dear friends, companions, and fellow missionaries. I am thankful for the many blessings that I have received from other bearers of the Priesthood.

I am thankful for a loving Mission President. I'm thankful that he has a loving wife who treats us as her own.

I am grateful for the blessing of good friends - they make life so much sweeter, especially as a missionary. I am grateful for my family - a loving mother and father, sisters, and brother. I am so thankful for the many families who have made me feel so welcome here in Northern Virginia, even to treating me as their own.

Brothers and Sisters, I testify that Jesus is the Christ; our Father in Heaven lives. The Holy Ghost can be our best friend, a guide through these tumultuous times. I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! I am a witness to the tender mercies of the Lord, which are all around us, and because of our faith, we will be made mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Friends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is The Lord's Kingdom here upon the earth. Rejoice in that fact!

 

As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said so beautifully, “If you have yet to come to the fold, please, come and join us. If you have strayed away, you are always welcome. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

I leave this with you in the sacred name of our Redeemer, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Elder Falslev