Never is a virtue disconnected from all other virtues. So it is with gratitude. Gratitude is linked with love, humility, patience, and many others. Satan had a problem linking all the virtues together and anytime we seek after any virtue with such singularity of purpose it can sometimes take a pursuit was moving towards virtue and instead lead us to vice. Power is a great example. Power is a virtue, God is very powerful, but seeking power without connecting that power to love, submission, and humility may prove futile.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! — For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High (2 Nephi 24:12-14).”
In the Book of Moses, Satan came before God and said. “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor (Moses 4:1).”
In contrast, we have the Savior of the world, even Jesus Christ whose power and glory surpass our understanding who accompanies virtue with virtue when he says “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever (Moses 4:2).”
That was a premortal Christ speaking, but his attitude carried into his earthly ministry when he declared “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me (John 5:30).”
As we seek gratitude, let us also seek compassion, understanding, righteousness, humility, and joy. Without other virtues guiding us, an uncompromising path towards gratitude can lead to a deterministic mindset where we have no control of the events that come upon us, we may extend a smile or a “cheer up” when rather a listening ear and an extended hand may be in order.