We are thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to you, our cherished community. For many years, we’ve engaged in a remarkable program known as “Light the World,” an initiative that consistently ignites feelings of hope, profound peace, and genuine happiness. This journey, undertaken with a spirit of deep gratitude, has consistently proven to be an incredibly transformative experience. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how challenging or difficult a year might have been, it does not have the final say. So, instead of merely enduring until the dawn of a new year, let us consciously choose to send off the current year with an abundance of hope and optimism, looking forward to what comes next.
We invite you to participate in this uplifting movement by downloading the “Light the World” calendar. Each day offers a new prompt designed to inspire acts of service and reflection. Below, we’ve shared some of our personal reflections on the profound power of gratitude. We encourage you to share your own experiences and moments of thankfulness using the hashtags #givethanks and #lighttheworld.
Day 1: Reflecting on 2020 and the Power of Gratitude
There has been a persistent stirring in my heart, an undeniable urge to share something deeply personal with all of you. It’s a quiet morning on an ordinary Friday, yet I feel a profound certainty that this is the moment I am meant to press ‘publish’ and release these thoughts into the world.
Indeed, the past year has been unlike any other in recent memory. At various points, I found myself feeling an unsettling sense of ‘offness,’ a pervasive unease that was difficult to pinpoint. I wrestled with trying to articulate this feeling, to grasp its essence, yet it remained elusive.
Despite this underlying current of uncertainty, my heart has also been filled with immense peace and boundless love. I’ve been acutely aware of countless wonderful things that have brought me genuine joy and deep happiness. Yet, paradoxically, that subtle, unidentifiable feeling of disorientation persisted, a quiet hum beneath the surface of my otherwise fulfilling life.
A Season Without Dreams
For the very first time in my entire life, I experienced a period where I simply could not dream. This wasn’t about the vivid narratives that unfold during sleep; no, this was about the profound inability to envision a future, to craft the beautiful tapestries of ‘what ifs’ and ‘somedays’ that had always sustained me.
I have always been, at my core, a dreamer. My mind was a vibrant canvas where I painted scenes of a future filled with warmth and connection. I envisioned a cozy cabin nestled by a serene lake, a crackling fire casting a warm glow as my children and their own children gathered around, the little ones tucked safely into bed, leaving the adults to share laughter and conversation well into the night.
I dreamed of the bittersweet moment when my first child would embark on the grand adventure of college, experiencing the wonder of new knowledge and self-discovery. I imagined a future where my spouse and I could serve missions, leaving behind the demands of the world and our daily jobs at a moment’s notice, just as we had always planned, to dedicate ourselves to serving others globally.
My dreams were woven into the fabric of cherished traditions, joyous holidays, and exciting, meticulously planned vacations. But suddenly, those vivid visions were gone. This year, my ability to dream became clouded, obscured by a thick fog of uncertainty. Will college truly be the same in four years? Will it be genuinely safe to travel again, when all our previous plans had been so abruptly canceled?
The act of dreaming about the future, once a source of endless inspiration, transformed into a daunting, black veil of the unknown, casting a shadow over all the possibilities that once shone so brightly.
Gratitude: Illuminating a New Path of Hope
And so, I embarked on a deep, introspective search. If I was meant to navigate and truly live through such an unprecedented and challenging period, surely I was equipped for the journey. My heart cried out for guidance: “Help me. Help me to become more, to transform, to be sanctified, to learn the lessons this era holds.”
It was in this earnest seeking that gratitude emerged, not merely as a sentiment, but as a profound, unwavering new source of hope. This year, I have deliberately clung to new practices and perspectives, one of the most vital being a conscious effort to better express and embody gratitude and happiness. This meant truly allowing myself to smile, to genuinely recognize, and to deeply feel happiness in the present moment, rather than deferring it to a future that felt increasingly uncertain.
Finding Gratitude Amidst the Trials of 2020
Despite the widespread heartache and confusion that permeated 2020, I find myself genuinely grateful for this challenging year. It has, in profound and unexpected ways, changed me for the better. I’ve witnessed my children forge new, deeper connections with each other, discovering resilience and understanding within their relationships. I’ve cultivated a greater capacity for hope, actively seeking out reasons to believe in a brighter tomorrow.
Crucially, I’ve learned to listen—truly listen—far more intently than ever before, both to others and to the quiet whispers of my own soul. Through it all, I have felt a peace unlike any I’ve known, a true, heart-shaking serenity that transcends circumstances. I am grateful for a year that has tested each of us, a year that we have not just endured but risen above. We are, collectively, navigating these uncharted waters, discovering strengths, talents, and blessings we never knew we possessed until they were called upon.
#givethanks #lighttheworld
Day 2: The Unsung Value of Laughter
That old, trusty green cooler, half-buried in the snow, piled even higher with fresh snowfall, yet diligently packed full of precious milk and meat – sometimes, looking back, it all feels like a surreal, bad dream. Our refrigerator had unexpectedly given up, and with limited funds for a replacement, we spent week after week of the harshest winter we’d ever experienced relying on that small cooler outdoors. Often, the milk would turn slushy with ice, a stark reminder of our makeshift solution.
And then there was the time our water supply mysteriously cut out, forcing me to shower at the neighbor’s house, a small act of kindness that felt monumental. Or the moment our car finally sputtered its last breath, leading my best friend to faithfully take me to the grocery store each week, ensuring I had access to necessities. The endless parade of broken toilets, the microwave that died mid-reheat, and so on. Sometimes, we live our lives with such unconscious ease that it’s only when something essential is gone that we truly realize its indispensable value. We often take so much for granted until its absence reveals its true necessity.
The Healing Power of Laughter
While I am undeniably grateful for the convenience and comfort that modern appliances and technological aids bring to our lives, I sincerely hope to always maintain a deep appreciation for something far more fundamental, something I rarely consciously reflect upon: laughter. It is a gift often overlooked, yet profoundly essential.
I am immensely grateful for the incredible good that laughter does for my heart, my soul, and even my physical body. It’s a balm, a release, a natural tonic. I admire how children effortlessly embrace it, letting go of inhibitions and actively seeking opportunities to spark joy and bring it out in one another. Oh, how profoundly grateful I am for the simple acts of smiling and laughing. Perhaps I should set aside the endless errands more often and allow myself to be a little silly, to invite more lightness and mirth into my days.
#givethanks
Day 3: The Profound Gift of Empathy
She sat beside me, a quiet, steady presence. My head rested on a pillow nestled on the armrest, my feet curled loosely on the familiar, worn brown leather couch. Gently, she lifted my feet into her lap, cradling them with a tenderness that spoke volumes. Occasionally, her thumb would softly stroke the tops of my feet, a small, comforting gesture. And I cried.
Sometimes, she cried too, tears mirroring my own unspoken pain. And there she remained, hour after hour, day after day, a constant anchor while I battled what felt like the greatest physical and emotional battle of my life, grappling with the relentless onslaught of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This debilitating condition left me weak, vulnerable, and utterly dependent.
Today, my heart overflows with gratitude for those rare individuals who truly know how to mourn with those who mourn. There is often a profound and quiet power in simply sitting in someone’s ‘hole,’ in sharing their space of grief and struggle, rather than frantically trying to pull them out of it. I am endlessly grateful for the true heart enveloped by such a loyal soul, a person whose empathy transcends words and manifests in unwavering presence.
The Timeless Wisdom of Job 2:11-13
The ancient scriptures offer a powerful illustration of this profound empathy, perfectly mirroring my own experience:
“11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and NONE SPAKE A WORD unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”
This passage beautifully encapsulates the essence of true empathy: the willingness to simply be present, to witness suffering without the need for immediate solutions or platitudes. In that shared silence, a deeper connection and comfort are often forged, proving more potent than any words could ever be.
#givethanks
Day 4: The Serene Majesty of Sunsets
For me, witnessing a sunset isn’t merely an observation; it’s a profound ritual, a moment of sacred pause in the everyday rhythm of life. Whether I’m standing at my kitchen sink, lost in thought in my living room, stepping out onto the back porch, or simply exclaiming with awe as we drive, the sight of the sun dipping below the horizon invariably captivates me. Oh, how I live for the breathtaking beauty of sunrises and, especially, the glorious spectacle of sunsets.
Even as a little girl, I’ve been held in absolute awe by the majesty and inherent beauty of a sunset. It’s more than just a visual display; it’s an experience that feels deeply spiritual. For just a few precious moments, as the sky transforms into a canvas of impossible colors, you can almost physically feel the immense potential for good and beauty that still resides within our world, despite all its imperfections and challenges. It’s a powerful reminder that even as one day ends, another cycle of beauty and possibility is about to begin.
I am profoundly grateful for sunsets. Grateful for the invaluable pause they compel us to take from the relentless chaos of daily life. Grateful for the unwavering sense of hope that invariably washes over me with each vibrant display. They are a promise of renewal, a testament to the enduring beauty of our planet, and a moment to simply breathe and appreciate.
And oh, Mexico! That memory just pulls at my heartstrings. Take me back to those vibrant skies! 😍
#givethanks
Day 5: The Unexpected Blessing of Our Community
I honestly never envisioned myself owning a business. In fact, I harbored quite the opposite sentiment, deliberately wanting nothing to do with the complexities and demands of entrepreneurship. I had absolutely no idea how incredibly fulfilling it would turn out to be, and this profound sense of satisfaction comes almost entirely from each and every one of you.
I am so incredibly glad that you are in the comfort of your own home right now and cannot see me all choked up, my eyes blurred with emotion, making it difficult to even type this post. Do you truly comprehend the immense way you have lifted and strengthened not just me, but my entire family? You, our community, have been a direct answer to some of the most fervent and challenging prayers we have ever offered.
Building Bridges of Connection and Spreading Hope
For Cade and me, especially for me, this endeavor transcends being merely a “job.” It is, in essence, the realization of a dream I’ve quietly held my entire life, one I even prayed over cautiously at times, fearing it might appear selfish: the precious chance to genuinely connect with others and offer them a small dose of hope and love, here and there, whenever and wherever possible.
Perhaps it doesn’t sound like the ‘coolest’ life ambition to some, but as I sit here in this very chair, I recognize with immense, overwhelming gratitude that what felt like a tragic beginning to our journey ultimately led to the greatest blessing I could ever have been given: the opportunity to share my voice, to connect with people from all corners of the world, and to build this incredible community.
Transformed by Your Presence and Support
You have, truly, changed me. You’ve taught me the invaluable lessons of slowing down and becoming more mindful in my daily interactions and reflections. You’ve shown me how to actively seek out the good in people, and to always remember that everyone, without exception, carries a unique and complex story within them. Collectively, you have taught me, with unwavering clarity, that there IS still an abundance of good left in the world, and absolutely nothing can silence that powerful truth.
No matter how challenging or disheartening things may seem, one of you always appears to be listening, offering just the right words of encouragement, or sending the most timely message—and not just to me, but to each other. I’ve witnessed you comfort complete strangers in comments sections, offering heartfelt prayers and good thoughts, and always, always so much genuine encouragement.
“A world awaits you; rich and poor, high and low, learned and unlearned… all must be sought after. .. and whither we cannot go, we must send; where we cannot speak, we must write.” – Orson F. Whitney
Thank you, with the utmost gratitude, for allowing me to fulfill what possibly may have been promises made long ago: to lift where we can and to spread whatever light and love, however small, we possess. Thank you for cultivating and being such a safe, welcoming space. You are, unequivocally, the light this world desperately needs. Never stop writing, sharing, and embodying the profound good you keep tucked inside you. You are here, right now, in this very space, because of the magnificent person you are, and I feel that truth so deeply. This cherished space exists only because of you, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
#givethanks
Day 6: Profound Counsel from a Prophet and Maternal Wisdom
Well, shoot, Mom has made it into another post! I keep playfully teasing her that one day she’ll be famous, that people will know her name and recognize her face everywhere she goes. She typically turns beet red and visibly cringes at the mere thought, a reaction that always brings a smile to my face. 😂
Wisdom Gleaned from Mom’s Insights
Just this morning, she called, and we talked at length about some of the experiences and feelings we’ve both been navigating recently. Our discussion naturally veered towards the topic of gratitude, and in her unique way, she articulated my thoughts for today’s post so perfectly that I simply had to ‘steal’ her eloquent words. She is truly an incredible storyteller and writer, with a remarkable gift for expression. Oh, how I wish all of you could have the pleasure of knowing her.
She shared, “I’m so profoundly grateful for a man who possessed the spiritual insight and courage to receive divine direction and then act upon it as a prophet of God, declaring that what our world truly needs, especially now, is gratitude. Who could have known that embracing gratitude would be the very thing to release me from the overwhelming anxieties of this world, from the hard things, and from the deep anguish that this tumultuous world is causing me? And to think, in a year riddled with evils and plagues, many of us might have yearned for opportunities to stand up and rage against these injustices. Yet, only he knew that our voices, if we acted in the same way others were acting—with anger or despair—would have gone unheard. It would have accomplished nothing.
But instead, the world is now being bombarded with a common, unifying voice of gratitude. Our collective voices are being heard, resonating far and wide, and more individuals are gathering under this peaceful call than any other initiative right now. Our voices, had we chosen a different path, wouldn’t have been heard at all, but they are being heard now, and we are all participating and healing together in this wave of thanksgiving. Who could have possibly foreseen such a powerful, unifying outcome?”
Very true, Mama. I echo your sentiments entirely. I am immensely grateful for President Russell M. Nelson, who, through his inspired counsel, has called forth a global wave of gratitude, a movement that is visibly changing hearts and perspectives. No complex tests or grand pronouncements were needed; simply a call to acknowledge the good. My social media feed, and hopefully yours too, feels noticeably lighter and happier because of this collective effort. ❤️❤️❤️
#givethanks
Day 7: Embracing and Recognizing the Feeling of Happiness
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from today. I anticipated it would be quieter, perhaps a bit smaller in scale than usual, especially given the current circumstances. Sometimes, holidays can amplify feelings of missing loved ones or even stir a sense of melancholy. But today, I find myself profoundly thankful for the full spectrum of feelings we are capable of experiencing. I am especially grateful that we possess the capacity to feel peace and happiness, even when external circumstances might strongly demand that we succumb to pain or heartache.
Cultivating the Recognition of Happiness in the Moment
One of my children has been particularly struggling with this recently—the challenge of truly recognizing happiness in the present moment and holding onto it. If something goes wrong or proves difficult, their immediate reaction is often a dramatic pronouncement: “This is the worst day ever!!!” It’s a common struggle, but one that requires gentle guidance.
Today, I made a conscious effort. I kept putting an arm around this child, or softly pulling us nose to nose, whispering, “I feel happy right now, do you feel it too?” It was an invitation, a gentle prompt to tune into the subtle current of joy that often flows beneath the surface of daily life. And surprisingly, beautifully, we did.
The more we consciously recognized those fleeting moments of happiness, the more those feelings seemed to linger and grow. Sometimes, we forget that feelings and emotions, thoughts and reactions, are not innate and automatic; they are skills that need to be learned, cultivated, and practiced, much like any other aspect of life. And today, I am so deeply grateful for the precious gifts of peace and happiness. What an extraordinary blessing they are in a world that so often seems to prefer to grump, groan, and yell.
An Abundance of Gratitude for People
And how could I possibly conclude without adding this fundamental truth: I am so incredibly grateful for people. For mine, my immediate family and close circle. That you have yours, those cherished individuals who enrich your life. And that, in this vast, interconnected world, we have each other, even if our paths haven’t yet crossed in person. I am profoundly grateful for the unexpected kindness of strangers and for the unwavering safety and comfort found within the embrace of family.
Today, more than anything, I am simply, utterly grateful. And it feels good. It feels profoundly right. And I am happy. This journey of gratitude has truly transformed my perspective, reminding me that even in the most challenging times, there is always light to be found, hope to be nurtured, and connections to be cherished.
#givethanks