Latter-day Saint researcher on how cultivating thankfulness and indebtedness to God increases overall happiness

<p>An iconic Christian hymn encourages listeners who may be “tempest-tossed” or otherwise burdened to <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/count-your-blessings?lang=eng">“Count Your Blessings.”</a> <a href="https://moralpersonality.byu.edu/people">Jenae Nelson</a>, who has <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-11-24/indebtedness-grateful-to-god-deeper-richer-gratitude-thanksgiving-thankful-blessings-234050">conducted research on indebtedness</a> with Brigham Young University professors Dr. Sam Hardy and Dr. Dianne Tice, bolsters this claim. In a yearlong study, Nelson found that recognizing what God has done, and feeling an indebtedness toward Him, doesn’t create feelings of obligation, but rather leads to increased overall happiness, well-being and even prosocial behavior. Nelson received her doctorate from Brigham Young University and is now a postdoctoral research fellow at Baylor University and a research affiliate at Harvard University. She joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss her research and share<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier"> how cultivating gratitude and indebtedness can improve a person’s life</a> and deepen his or her connection to God.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by<a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/"> KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>