To have the privi- lege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them,to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. In addition to being told to obey the commandments and being given the priesthood to bless and guide them, the members of the Church are given two guidelines or directors to carry them through false prophets, tribulations and persecutions. These two guides given to the saints in the early church were prayer and gratitude. Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fullness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air . . . The temple is given to us to teach us thanksgiving and to aid us to have thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is an essential part of the temple and an important part of our daily lives.
In fact, prayer and gratitude are so important that they are linked together in every prayer. A key to successful prayer is the process of expressing gratitude. We begin our prayers by addressing our Heavenly Father. As soon as we have opened our prayers we express gratitude. Prayer is not truly begun nor are the Heavens full open to us if we are not grateful.