1 Nephi 18

When you read the scriptures, there are several ways you could go about it. Sometimes you look for a theme. Sometimes you read it much like any book. Sometimes you look by topic. Today being Thanksgiving, I looked through Chapter 18 through the lens of Thanksgiving.

At first there didn't seem to be much in the way of gratitude and Thanksgiving. Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were once again rebelling and causing much grief to Lehi and Sariah, Nephi's young brothers Jacob and Joseph, and Nephi and his wife and children (9-21). Nephi had been bound so he couldn't move, bound so tightly that when he was eventually released, because Laman and Lemuel feared God, his wrists and ankles were extremely swollen and sore (10-12, 15, 20). Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael had threatened anyone who should speak for Nephi (17). Lehi and Sariah were brought down onto their sickbeds and were on the verge of dying (17-18). There didn't seem to be a whole lotta thanksgiving in there.

But then I read verse 16:

Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

I imagine Nephi, recently loosed from his bindings that had chafed and injured him, on the boat that's being knocked around by the storm, knowing that his parents are on the edge of death because of his elder brothers and his wife, children and younger brothers surround him seeing if he's ok; yet, he found the strength within him to pray and praise God.

In the dictionary, praise means to express warm approval or admiration of or express one's respect and gratitude toward a deity.

Can we do that in our own lives? When we are experiencing injuries to ourselves and facing the likely deaths of your family due to natural disaster or age or sickness of heart, can we pray and express respect and gratitude towards God as well as express our approval and admiration of His will? It really takes a certain strength.

It's the kind of gratitude and feelings I should have towards God at all times. I really am grateful for all that God has blessed me with.