Agency

1.“Some who do not understand the doctrinal part do not readily see the relationship between obedience and agency. And they miss one vital connection and see obedience only as restraint. They then resist the very thing that will give them true freedom. There is no true freedom without responsibility, and there is no enduring freedom without a knowledge of the truth.”

Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Agency and Control” April 1983 General Conference

2."We have implanted in our souls a desire to be free. The Lord understood this when He granted us our mortal probation. With that freedom, however, comes accountability. We are instructed not to idle away our time nor bury our talents and not use them. We are expected to make our lives better through our own initiatives and efforts."

L. Tom Perry, "Youth of the Noble Birthright", Ensign, November 1998

3.“Our agency—our ability to choose and act for ourselves—was an essential element of this plan. Without agency we would be unable to make right choices and progress. Yet with agency we could make wrong choices, commit sin, and lose the opportunity to be with Heavenly Father again. For this reason a Savior would be provided to suffer for our sins and redeem us if we would repent.”

Elder Robert D. Hales

“Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life”

October 2010 General Conference

4.“Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard.”

D. Todd Christofferson  “Moral Discipline”

October 2009 General Conference

5."Act in accordance with your true beliefs by spending your time on those things that will build and develop your character and help you become more Christlike. I hope none of you see life as primarily fun and games but rather as a time 'to prepare to meet God.'"

Quentin L. Cook, "A Time to Prepare to Meet God", Broadcasts, March 2012

6.“Critical to our knowledge of the plan of happiness is an understanding of the great governing principle of agency. A person does not have to spend much time in the schoolroom of mortality to realize that Heavenly Father’s plan does not provide for blissful happiness at every step along our mortal journey. Life is filled with harsh realities that tug at the heart and tear away at the soul.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard

“Answers to Life’s Questions” April 1995 General Conference

7."Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance."

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Liahona and Ensign, November 2009

8.“A major reason for your mortal existence, therefore, is to test how you will exercise your agency.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson “Choices” October 1990 General Conference

9."Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities...So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundant Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012

10. "The principle of spiritual self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church that God has granted us—agency. I believe that moral agency is one of the greatest gifts of God unto His children, next to life itself."

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Christlike Attributes-the Wind beneath Our Wings"  Oct. 2005 General Conference

Capstone Position Statement:

Agency is one of the greatest gifts from our Heavenly Father, but is also a great responsibility to have.  Sometimes I think, how could he trust us with so much freedom, but then I look at my own children and realize I am slowly doing the same thing.

I really appreciate what Elder Packer said on agency, that there is a relationship between obedience and agency, and that those give us freedom.

Without agency we would not be able to progress, we would not be able to make right and wrong choices and learn and grow from them.  It is one of the reasons of our mortal existence.

I will continue to exercise my agency in a manner that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father.  I know what he has given me is something I must guard and cherish.  I will also help my children to learn the importance of this gift and to understand the freedom it gives us.