The Magic of Thanksgiving

In scriptural times, the prophets and their families often built altars and gave thanks. Lehi, after leaving his home and all of his riches, now in the wilderness, builds and altar and gives thanks.

Yesterday, I went over to both of my mothers' homes yesterday, and saw them building an altar to give thanks. Their homes were clean and smelled of stuffing and pie. Besides their attention to the food, they also gave much attention to their tables. Which table cloths should they use? Which place settings? Rather than being an aftersight that is taken care of on Thanksgiving day, the table is as important as the food and must be arranged the day before.

This attention to detail and effort put toward things that go away are a large part of what makes home feel magical. I love to visit both of our parents. Our moms do not keep ordinary houses. They are homes full of love where all are welcome to enter under that sacred spell. I feel deeply grateful for my mothers. Their work prepares my heart to brim with gratitude and rejoicing during the holidays and throughout the year.

King Benjamin tells us that if we feel grateful for another person who has served us, “O how [we] ought to thank [our] heavenly king!” King Benjamin continues to say in chapter 2 of Mosiah, verse 20, “I say unto you, my brethren, that . . . you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another.”

As I enjoy Thanksgiving today, my goal is to remember that the wonderful things around me like family and home and food are ultimately symbols of my father in heaven who loves me. All of the magical feelings of love and home come through His power, and all of our joy and rejoicing should be in praise of Him who made it all possible.