Thursday, June 27, 2013

Agency


Our agency (the ability to choose) is a gift from our loving Heavenly Father and the reason why we are here. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;” (Abraham 3:25).  We came here to receive a body, and to learn how to use our agency.

Often people misuse their agency to harm and disappoint us, and we usually wonder why God didn’t prevent them from making those choices. The answer to that is to quote Alma, “Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.” (Alma 42:13). It simply goes against the nature of our Heavenly Father to take away the very gift that he gave us to use on this earth to learn from.

Let us each resolve in our hearts to use our agency for good, and to seek our Heavenly Father in prayer, so that we will know His will for us in the choices we make.  

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Moral Discipline, General Conference October 2009

Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency, General Conference April 2006 

Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency, General Conference April 2006 


Elder Quentin L. Cook, Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness, General Conference April 2013

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Seventh Commandment: A Shield, General Conference October 2001

Elder M. Russell Ballard, O that Cunning Plan of the Evil One, General Conference October 2010

Elder Richard G. Scott, Finding Joy in Life, General Conference April 1996

President David O. McKay, Chapter 22: Agency and Responsibility, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, (2011), 204–13


Elder Henry B. Eyring, Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady, General Conference October 2005 

Elder Henry B. Eyring, Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady, General Conference October 2005 

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