HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Gratitude is deeper than

thanks. Thankfulness is the

begining of gratitude.

Gratitude is the

completion of thankfulness.

Thankfulness

may onlyconsist merely of words.

Gratitude is shown in acts."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


THREE hundred and thirty-four years ago a proclamation was issued to a little group on the bleak shores of Plymouth to meet and worship and render thanksgiving to God. That was the first Thanksgiving in America.

It is well for us to think of that for which those Pilgrims had to be thankful. They had landed in the previous November, 1620, and many had to live on the ship throughout that winter, for they had neither suitable clothing nor shelter. Consequently, when they did go ashore and entered the cabins for the nineteen families, there were seven times more graves than there were houses for the living; and yet they had gratitude in their hearts for the blessings of God. I think those blessings consisted of faith and confidence in an Overruling Power; and truly the Lord had overseen their journey to Holland and their subsequent voyage across the sea. They had not forgotten his Divine Providence. Death to them was not a tragedy so long as they had that faith and freedom-the privilege of worshipping God as their conscience dictated. They were happy and thankful to find sufficient sustenance in the corn and barley they had planted. They were not practiced hunters at first. But they succeeded on that first Thanksgiving in securing from the forests turkeys and venison; and they had the friendship of the Indians-Chief Massasoit and his braves. They had in attendance a hundred per cent, I am sure, of their little group to worship that day and render gratitude.


-David O. McKay
Pathways to Happiness pg 316