The holy scriptures contain nearly a thousand references to thanksgiving, rejoicing, and praising—all manifestations of gratitude. Gratitude is a commandment of God. The scriptures counsel us to be grateful for five kinds of blessings: God and His goodness and greatness, the gospel of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, the goodness of people (from family members to neighbors to prophets and seers), the Gathering (into the Church and kingdom of God, with all its blessings, including stakes and temples), and the gifts of heaven (including the Holy Spirit and the gifts thereof). As Lehi emerges from his remarkable vision about the Redeemer and His mission of mercy, he is consumed with a sense of gratitude and praises the Lord.
In modern revelation the Lord reminds us of two things that offend God: “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” (D&C 59:21). To confess the Lord’s hand in all things is to recognize His eternal goodness. We seal our gratitude before the Lord by keeping His commandments.