President Nelson’s #GiveThanks Challenge Takes Off On Social Media

SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instituted a gratitude challenge with the hashtag #GiveThanks, and it has taken off on social media.

On Sunday, visitors at Temple Square shared with KSL TV what they’re grateful for.

“We’re from California, heading back to Arizona to visit family, and it’s nice to be able to have the time to do that, and have a healthy family that allows us to travel,” said one family.

“I’m thankful to go skiing with my family at Park City,” said visitor Chris Hill.

“Company of loved ones,” a woman said.

“Not feeling alone during this season is good, so I’m thankful for family for that,” said Anna Hill.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, President Nelson called on church members and friends around the world to focus on the good. The invitation seems to be having a positive impact on people.

“I’m grateful to know that my Heavenly Father loves me, that I matter to him, and that I can move, I can do things,” said Sister Walton. “I’m on my mission.”

“We can still see our friends over Zoom,” said a little girl.

“What I’m grateful for this year is the little joys in life,” said another visitor.

“My family and sports — soccer!” said Adam Hernandez.

Since Friday, President Nelson’s invitation to flood social media with seven days of gratitude posts, including the hashtag #givethanks, has taken off, gaining more momentum everyday.

“I feel like President Nelson’s challenge came at the right time for me because it came at the end of a very long week,” said Jennifer Nishiguchi over Zoom.

“I was this close to deleting all my social media because everything was so negative,” said Joseph Bowman.

“I just see so much goodness and light, and I love seeing people’s big things they’re grateful for, but I also love seeing the little things,” said Nishiguchi.

“I posted about Brenan, my mission,” said Church member Esmerelda Portuguez.

“A little random, but I’m grateful for the invention of the wheel because I ride mountain bikes, I race dirt bikes, I can ride a unicycle,” said Bowman. “I just love wheels.”

“This pandemic, I like it because it gave me a blessing to do all the things that I need to do,” said a Samoan couple. “While challenges may be out of our control, our outlook makes all the difference.”

“We can spend more time with our family this year because of COVID,” the little girl continued.

“It’s been good for me to be able to reflect on myself, to see what I believe what God has done for me in my life,” said Brenan Kamerath.

“I think with all the negativity going on this year — between the pandemic and everything else and being stuck at home — it’s really good to put out more positivity and get that out there,”  said one family.

“We are grateful for the life that has been given us and the opportunity to serve the Lord,” the Samoan couple continued.

“God is good, that’s all,” said Sister Walton.

There are already more than 2.5-million posts on Instagram using the hashtag #GiveThanks, while nearly 700,000 people have posted on Facebook.

The challenge goes on through Thanksgiving.