Gratitude is more than a warm emotion. It is a catalyst—one that moves people to act, give back, and create a meaningful impact in the world. When you genuinely appreciate something or someone, your desire to contribute increases naturally.
This internal shift can transform your mindset, your relationships, and even your long-term goals. That is the power of gratitude, and at Cumorah Academy, students experience it in ways that surprise them.
Think about it: when you discover a song you love, you willingly share it with friends because it made you feel something special. The same thing happens with people, experiences, and opportunities that shape your life.
When you receive something meaningful, you feel called to reciprocate so others can enjoy that same feeling. This cycle of appreciation and contribution is exactly what our students felt during one unforgettable service experience.
How Service Reveals the Power of Gratitude
During an outreach project, Cumorah Academy students were encouraged not only to serve but also to reflect. Many did not expect that a simple activity would lead them into deeper thoughts about growth, purpose, and legacy. Yet that is often how the power of gratitude reveals itself—quietly, through everyday actions that carry lasting meaning.
On a Saturday morning, students planted 250 trees in Naceradec, a rural area of the Czech Republic. It was more than just planting seedlings in the soil; it was a moment of connection—between nature, personal growth, and the desire to give back. As students worked side by side, they discovered truths about themselves and their place in the world.
This experience echoed well-known wisdom from around the world. A Chinese proverb reminds us:
“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
And as investor Warren Buffett famously noted:
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Both statements highlight the same principle: small acts today shape a better tomorrow. That principle lies at the heart of the power of gratitude, and students felt it deeply as they planted each tree.
Students Finding Meaning in the Power of Gratitude
What made this activity transformative were the reflections students shared afterward—insights that emerged naturally as they worked with their hands in the soil.
1. Seeing Growth Through Small Things
Dallin Romero, a student from Peru, felt something shift inside him while planting trees. He shared:
“While I was planting the trees, I started to imagine how they would look when they finally grow. It reminded me that small things can become something great. We need to appreciate those moments because they help us take better care of ourselves—just like we take care of the trees—and in the future, we can reach our full potential.”
Dallin’s reflection is a reminder that the power of gratitude often begins with appreciating the little things. Small seeds—literal or symbolic—grow into something bigger when we nurture them with intention and patience.
2. Planting Hope for the Future
Nahuel, a student from Argentina, saw the experience as a symbol of something much larger:
“Planting trees in the Czech Republic, specifically at Cumorah Academy, wasn’t just physical labor; it was an act of hope. Holding a sapling, you realize you’re investing in a future you might not personally see. This small, rooted effort teaches patience and the profound interconnectedness of our ecosystem. Every tree planted is a quiet promise to the planet and a reminder that small actions create lasting change.”
His words beautifully highlight how the power of gratitude fuels hope—hope for the environment, for communities, and for future generations. Gratitude moves us to do good today without needing immediate rewards.
3. Learning Through Connection and Friendship
One of the hallmarks of Cumorah Academy is the ability to learn while having fun and building real friendships. Alanis Romero, from Peru, emphasized how meaningful it felt to serve alongside friends. When students come together with a shared purpose, the experience becomes more impactful, more joyful, and more memorable.
The power of gratitude is often amplified when experienced in community. Serving with friends adds meaning because gratitude grows when shared with others.
4. Giving Back Through Retribution
For Hugo Castelan, from Mexico, planting trees was more than an act of service—it was a form of retribution rooted in appreciation:
“We are repaying for what we received for studying here.”
His words capture a core truth: gratitude often inspires us to give back. When you recognize the opportunities you have received, you feel moved to contribute to something larger than yourself.
What Students Learn Through the Power of Gratitude
Service teaches lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom. Through this project, students discovered values that shape resilient, compassionate leaders. Among them:
Patience
A tree does not grow overnight. Neither does character. Students learned that meaningful progress—whether in nature or in personal growth—requires time, nurturing, and faith in the process.
Hope
Planting a tree is an act of belief. It is trusting that something you may never personally benefit from will still matter. This hopeful mindset strengthens students’ ability to look beyond the present moment.
Connection With Nature
Working outdoors helped students feel the natural rhythms of growth, life, and creation. This connection deepened their sense of responsibility for the environment and the generations who will inherit it.
Purpose and Legacy
The power of gratitude encourages people to reflect on the mark they want to leave behind. Planting 250 trees is symbolic of leaving a legacy—one that benefits the land, the community, and the future.
Friendship and Community
Service brought students closer together. Shared effort creates shared memories, and shared memories create bonds that last long after the semester ends.
Why the Power of Gratitude Matters for Personal Growth
Gratitude is not passive—it is active. It motivates people to serve, to build, and to elevate others. When students understand the power of gratitude, they learn to:
- Recognize the good in their lives
- Act on their appreciation
- Develop confidence, empathy, and humility
- Contribute meaningfully to their communities
- Become leaders who understand the value of giving rather than simply receiving
These are qualities that define leaders who make a difference in the world. And at Cumorah Academy, service is not just an activity—it is an essential part of the student experience.
A Final Reflection
When students plant trees, they plant more than seeds. They plant hope. They plant responsibility and gratitude. And in doing so, they discover a deeper understanding of themselves and their purpose.
This is the transformative power of gratitude in action—quiet, meaningful, and profoundly life-changing.
Ready to Experience Growth That Lasts a Lifetime?
If you want to grow as a leader, strengthen your values, build international friendships, and experience hands-on service that shapes your character, Cumorah Academy is the place for you.
Learn more about how you can join our programs and start your own journey of growth and gratitude. Apply today at Cumorah Academy!
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
