Agency

Agency

1.  “We can depend on that unfailing desire of the Savior to bring all of Heavenly Father’s spirit children back to their home with Him.  Heavenly Father and the Savior are our perfect examples of what we can and must do.  They never force righteousness because righteousness must be chosen.  They make righteousness discernible to us, and They let us see that its fruits are delicious.“  Henry B. Eyring, “A Priceless Heritage of Hope”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/a-priceless-heritage-of-hope?lang=eng

2.  “Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings.  Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances,” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng

3.  “Obedience is a choice.  It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence.” L Tom Perry, “Obedience through Our Faithfulness”, www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/obedience-through-our-faithfulness?lang=eng

4.  Because agency is a God-given gift, ultimately the choice of what they will do, how they will behave, and what they will believe will always be theirs.  But as parents we need to make sure they understand appropriate behavior and the consequences to them if they pursue their wrongful course.” M Russell Ballard, “Like A Flame Unquenchable,” www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/like-a-flame-unquenchable?lang=eng

5.  “Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life”.  Robert D Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng

6.  “Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions.  Our agency is essential to the plan of salvations.  With it we are ‘free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.’” Robert D Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life?lang=eng

7.  “Using our agency to obey means choosing to ‘do what is right and letting the consequence follow.” Robert D Hales, “If Ye Love Me, Keep my Commandments,” www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/if-ye-love-me-keep-my-commandments?lang=eng

8.  Agency is the power to think, choose, and act for ourselves.  It comes with endless opportunities, accompanied by responsibility and consequences.” Sharon G Larsen, “Agency—A Blessing and a Burden”,  www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/agency-a-blessing-and-a-burden?lang=eng&query=agency—a+blessing

9.   “When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency.  It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. “ Wolfgang H. Paul “The Gift of Agency”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2006/04/the-gift-of-agency?lang=eng&clang=eng 

10.  “Thus, our agency makes our life on this earth a test period.  If we did not have this wonderful gift of agency, we would not be able to show our father in Heaven whether we will do all that He commanded us.  In order for us to use our agency, we must have a knowledge of good and evil, we must have the freedom to make choices, and after was have exercised our agency, there must be consequences that follow our choices.” Wolfgang H. Paul “The Gift of Agency”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2006/04/the-gift-of-agency?lang=eng&clang=eng

Position Statement:

I believe that I have been blessed to live in this time and place where agency, the choice to choose, is allowed so freely.  Heavenly Father gave me the right to choose my actions and my thoughts.  He gave me freedom in my thoughts and beliefs.  I do not get to choose my consequences when I use this agency incorrectly.  I have the gift to choose if I will follow my Savior and obey all of His commandments.  I also, do not get to choose how my children behave.  I have the privilege to teach them but not to force them to follow.