Monday, November 20, 2006

Thanksgiving and the Day of the Lord

Reading up on giving thanks in the Scriptures, I came across D&C 59 that sounded very fitting for the Holiday celebration. Originally it discusses proper Lord's Day observances. It could be talking just as much about Thanksgiving and what it can mean to us as a religious observance. Ponder the following exhortation:

13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.
14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—
16 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;
17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
21 And 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.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy thanksgiving.

David said...

Thank you for this uplifting insight and for your kind comment on Gospel Cougar. Happy Thanksgiving.

Noelie said...

Just zipping over to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

I like this thought. I think sometimes the holidays can get so cumbered about that we miss the joy of togetherness and worship and peace and all of the benefits. Thanks for your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we, as a culture, cultivated such an attitude about Thanksgiving Day?

Jettboy said...

Instead we think ahead to Christmas, and not for the joy of that holiday. Rather, all the running around, shopping, bright lights, and spectacle. We no longer focus on family, friends, or charity beyond lip service acknowledgement those are important.