Consider the Blessings

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Consider the Blessings, by Thomas S. Monson
President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints



My wife and I do many things together around the house, but we do have certain tasks that we, more or less, own. For example, our two-yr-old son is almost always put to bed by his mother (I try sometimes, but he asks for Mommy!). Last night, my wife had an evening meeting and needed to leave before bedtime, so I got to put my little boy to bed. I was happy (and surprised) that he didn't complain that my wife was absent.

As I helped him prepare for bed, I noticed how loving and tender he was being. I particularly liked how I felt as we knelt to pray. He's only recently started praying—with our help—but I'm not usually the one to help him. As I whispered the words for him to say, I felt that he really was grateful for the things I was mentioning: home, family members, safety, a fun day. I liked the feeling of kneeling there with my little boy so much that I wanted to keep listing things we're grateful for! However, I noticed that as my list grew longer, he opened his eyes, looked at me, and started laughing.

Here's my cute little boy!

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. (We did finish the prayer, and he said the final words enthusiastically all by himself.)

I was reminded of this special moment as I read President Monson's recommendation to "take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received." As I prayed with my little boy last night I felt tremendously blessed!

After testifying that "our prayers are heard and answered," President Monson quoted a scripture that reminds that "men are that they might have joy" (see 2 Nephi 2:25) then testified:

I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered—perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered and by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness.

I'm grateful for the many blessings, large and small, that I've received. I'm grateful for the guidance and direction I receive which blesses my life and allows me to bless others. And I'm grateful for tender moments with loved ones that remind me of the power and joy of prayer.