The Gift of Agency

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2006 04:00 PM

Agency has been on my mind a lot lately. I am grateful that I know about agency and accountability. I just read a conference talk titled "To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency" by Robert D. Hales. This is an excellent talk about agency and the power we have to choose each day to follow the Lord.

Elder Hales talks about how agency fits into the plan of salvation. He also tells us that agency is a gift and that we have the power to make all of our choices. Elder Hale says:

"Although the devil laughs, his power is limited. Some may remember the old adage: "The devil made me do it." Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies-our very spirits-is when we allow him to do so. In other words, we do not have to succumb to his enticements!"

Sometimes as a consequence of our choices we may be in a place where it seems our choices are limited. Elder Hales lists examples of this such as addiction, being put in prison or excessive debt. But he tells us that we still have choices in these situations. He says:

"Choose to accept-truly accept-that you are a child of God, that He loves you, and that He has the power to help you.

Choose to put everything-literally everything-on the altar before Him. Believing that you are His child, decide that your life belongs to Him and that you will use your agency to do His will. You may do this multiple times in your life, but never, never give up.

Choose to put yourself in a position to have experiences with the Spirit of God through prayer, in scripture study, at Church meetings, in your home, and through wholesome interactions with others. When you feel the influence of the Spirit, you are beginning to be cleansed and strengthened. The light is being turned on, and where that light shines, the darkness of evil cannot remain.

Choose to obey and keep your covenants, beginning with your baptismal covenant. Renew these covenants weekly by worthily partaking of the sacrament.

Choose to prepare to worthily attend the temple, make and renew sacred covenants, and receive all of the saving ordinances and blessings of the gospel.

Finally, and most importantly, choose to believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Accept the Savior's forgiveness, and then forgive yourself. Because of His sacrifice for you, He has the power to "remember [your sins] no more." You must do likewise."

This is a wonderful talk. I hope that you will take the time to read it. Elder Hales explains agency and how we can exercise it righteously in our lives. Agency truly is a gift, and we will be blessed if we use it in a righteous manner.

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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