The History of Thanksgiving Day and the Spirit of Thanksgiving The Pilgrims who sailed to America were originally members of the English Separatist Church. Before going to America they had fled to Holland to escape religious persecution. In Holland, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disillusioned with the Dutch way of life. In the hope of a better life, they took the help of a London stock company to move out to America. Most of those making this trip aboard the Mayflower were non-Separatists. Only about one-third of the original colonists were Separatists. They reached Plymouth in 1620. It should be well-remembered that the Pilgrims first governing document known as the Mayflower Compact was written and signed by 41 Pilgrims before they touched Plymouth Rock. The Mayflower Compact would precede the divinely inspired Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in our fair land. The Pilgrims faced a terrible first winter at Plymouth Colony. Around 46 of the original 102 Pilgrims had died by the next fall. But fortune turned in their favor and the harvest of the next year was abundant. The remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast—including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true “thanksgiving” observance. It lasted three days. Governor William Bradford sent “four men fowling” after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast, but I would like to think so. Governor Bradford, Captain Standish, Master Winslow, and Mister Brewster went to meet the Indians. The governor and Chief Massasoit solemnly shook hands. At the feast, Governor Bradford bowed his head and in a commanding voice, so everyone could hear, thanked God for the harvest and for their friends. It was the beginning of a long friendship between the colonists and Chief Massasoit’s Wampanoag Indian tribe. This “thanksgiving” feast was not repeated the following year. But in 1623, during a severe drought, the Pilgrims gathered in a prayer service, praying for rain. When a long and steady rain followed the very next day, Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, again inviting their Indian friends. It wasn’t until June 20, 1676 that another Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed when the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they proclaimed June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. October of 1777 marked the first time that all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair. President George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. In 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by the U.S. Congress as a legal holiday, during the fourth Thursday in November. Now in juxtapose, as we consider our magnanimous Republic that we call, among other things, “the home of the brave,” let’s embrace the wonder of a grateful heart. In the Book of Mormon we learn that we should “live in thanksgiving daily” (Alma 34:38). Isn’t that a wonderful thought to live in thanksgiving daily? Can you imagine how our lives would improve if we lived in thanksgiving daily? Can you imagine how our lives would improve if others did the same thing? Do you think the world would be a happier place? President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed these revealing words: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 263). Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily. “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness,” the Lord has promised, “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). May we utter a continual prayer of thanksgiving, as we recognize our Heavenly Father’s love and concern for each of us, for “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Happy Thanksgiving, Clyde, Amelia, Nicole, Christina, and Stephanie Triptow
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 21:16:04 +0000
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