An Attitude of Gratitude

Ether 6-11 | November 16-22

The barges were ready and the people of Jared loaded everything they needed and got aboard the barges. The Lord caused furious winds to blow the barges toward the promised land. Even though it was probably scary to be tossed across the water in a raging windstorm, the people trusted in God and sang praises. They were grateful for their blessings and knew the Lord would help them get to the promised land. When they arrived in the promised land, they again praised the Lord and gave thanks to Him.

As the people established their new home in the promised land, they chose a king to lead them. When the king was righteous, the people were righteous. Sometimes the king was wicked and greedy and the people became wicked. Secret combinations (people who secretly agreed to do wicked things together and hide their wickedness) were built up and there were wars and calamities. The once righteous people of Jared were no longer grateful and peaceful; many of them had become greedy and rebellious.

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Scripture

Ether 6:9

“And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.”

Why did the Jaredites sing praises of gratitude, even though they were in a scary and uncomfortable situation?
How were the people blessed when they were humble?
How can we be thankful in all our circumstances?
What happened when the Jaredite kings were righteous?
What happened to the people when the king was wicked?
What is a secret combination?
Why can secret combinations lead to destruction?

Quote

“It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach? Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Activity

A Thankful Turkey

Make these cute squash turkeys and label the feathers with things you’re thankful for!

Treat

Turkey Cupcakes

Assemble these quick treats from store-bought cupcakes to save time! With each candy corn you stick into the cupcake to make turkey feathers, say one more thing you are thankful for.

Song

I Thank Thee, Dear Father Children’s Songbook page 7

Ether 6: The Jaredite barges are driven by the winds to the promised land—The people praise the Lord for His goodness—Orihah is appointed king over them—Jared and his brother die.

Ether 7: Orihah reigns in righteousness—Amid usurpation and strife, the rival kingdoms of Shule and Cohor are set up—Prophets condemn the wickedness and idolatry of the people, who then repent.

Ether 8: There is strife and contention over the kingdom—Akish forms an oath-bound secret combination to slay the king—Secret combinations are of the devil and result in the destruction of nations—Modern Gentiles are warned against the secret combination that will seek to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries.

Ether 9: The kingdom passes from one to another by descent, intrigue, and murder—Emer saw the Son of Righteousness—Many prophets cry repentance—A famine and poisonous serpents plague the people.

Ether 10: One king succeeds another—Some of the kings are righteous; others are wicked—When righteousness prevails, the people are blessed and prospered by the Lord.

Ether 11: Wars, dissensions, and wickedness dominate Jaredite life—Prophets predict the utter destruction of the Jaredites unless they repent—The people reject the words of the prophets.