Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
November 23rd, 2025
I love the Thanksgiving Holiday! Our family has many traditions we enjoy during this holiday – from a Turkey Bowl in the morning to a delicious meal in the afternoon, and family games in the evening. One of the games we play after Thanksgiving dinner is the “Coin Game”. It’s one of our grandchildren’s favorite traditions. Remind us to tell you how we play the game. What Thanksgiving traditions does your family have?
Thanksgiving was also special because I tried not to travel for work during the year’s busiest week for the airlines. I was happy to have others travel to the airport to catch a flight. I was content to be at home with my family the entire week – a rare occurrence due to my demanding career.
Most of all I am grateful for the spirit of thanksgiving I feel during this holiday. I am grateful for the opportunity to pause during this season to reflect on my many blessings and to express heart felt gratitude to others – and most importantly my Father in Heaven for the abundant blessings of my life. The Lord promises choice blessings to those who show thanksgiving:
“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19)
To “be made glorious” is a beautiful promise, not to mention receiving “an hundred fold, yea more” in blessings “of this earth.” In this short verse, the Lord teaches us the power and blessings of a grateful and thankful heart. The Roman philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero, also provided an inspiring and instructive perspective on thankfulness:
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all the other virtues.”
I have spent time over the last few weeks reflecting on this statement by Marcus Cicero. I have found this statement to be true. I have come to appreciate that many virtues and Christlike attributes begin with gratitude. For example, I believe my humility grows as my gratitude to the Lord increases in recognition of the blessings He has given to me. My faith grows as I gratefully recognize the Lord’s hand blessing me in my life. My desire to be obedient grows out of love for the Lord and my recognition of His goodness to me. I believe the charity I extend to others grows as my thankful heart recognizes the Lord’s grace and mercy extended to me. These are just a few examples I have come to recognize where gratitude was foundational in magnifying a virtue or Christlike attribute in my life. I am grateful for this new perspective, and I am determined to be more thankful to the Lord – and to others, who bless my life so abundantly.
I invite you to take some time to ponder the power gratitude and thanksgiving have to magnify all other virtues and Christlike attributes. I am confident you will come to recognize the truth of Marcus Cicero’s statement. I hope you will be more resolved to develop and exercise a grateful heart – full of thanksgiving to the Lord for the mercy and grace He extends to us. I hope you will also express gratitude to those around you who bless your life through their love, service, kindness, support, and friendship.
This Thanksgiving Sister Quinn and I have much to be grateful for. One of our choicest blessings is to serve with you in CASRM. We express gratitude to you – and to the Lord for your dedication and sacrifice to the great cause we share of gathering Israel.
We pray the Lord’s choicest and abundant blessings upon each of you and your family.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
