Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which brings about humility, Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales said Sunday morning.

Gratitude "causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else who lifts us and strengthens us.""Ingratitude is the attitude of being unaware or not recognizing when someone has assisted us or helped us or, even worse, when we know we have been helped and have not thanked someone privately or publicly."

Bishop Hales related how he was overwhelmed with a feeling of deep gratitude for the goodness of God after suffering a heart attack last August and finding out firsthand the healing strength that comes through united prayer.

"My deepest gratitude is for the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," he said. "The Atonement is the foundation upon which all gospel truths reside."

Gratitude is also the foundation upon which repentance is built, he added. There will always be sorrow in sin, "but to repent only because we feel bad or because we have suffered or because we are sorrowful does not show that we understand the goodness of God."

"When we express thankfulness to God and to His Son Jesus Christ, we base our faith and repentance upon their forgiveness and their goodness."

Bishop Hales explained that prayer is an essential part of conveying appreciation to Heavenly Father. "He awaits our expressions of gratefulness each morning and night in sincere, simple prayer from our hearts for our many blessings, gifts and talents. . . .

"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace - a peace which allows us not to canker our souls for what we don't have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. . . ."

Bishop Hales admonished members to express thankfulness not only for the good things in life, but also for the opposition and challenges of life that add to a person's experience and faith.

"We put our lives in His hands, realizing that all that transpires will be for our experience and for our good. When we say, `Thy will be done,' we are really expressing faith and gratitude and acknowledging that we will accept whatever happens in our lives."