Agency

This post is dedicated to answering the question, “What is agency?”  It has been one of the biggest questions Ashlee has received from followers of her blog. 

The basic definition of Agency is: The gift God has given us to choose.  It is the ability and privilege Heavenly Father gives us to choose and to act for ourselves. Agency is essential in the plan of salvation.  (Remember, you must understand what the plan of salvation is, the part you play, and the consequences involved in having this ability to choose).  Without agency, we would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior.  This is so important to understand.  God does not make choices for us.  He will not.  It is contrary to the plan that we all agreed upon in the pre-earth life.  If God were to take away our agency He would cease to be God (and He will not do that!).  This is an eternal gift He has given us.

“Agency is a spiritual matter. Without awareness of alternatives, you could not choose. Agency is so important in your lives that you not only can choose obedience or rebellion, but you must. During this life you cannot remain on neutral ground; you cannot abstain from either receiving or rejecting the light from God” (Uchtdorf).  Heavenly Father has given us this responsibility.  “Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. … Agency permits us to make faithful, obedient choices that strengthen us so that we can lift and strengthen others” (Robert D. Hales).

You may feel overwhelmed knowing that all the responsibility and burden lies on your shoulders.  This is a serious matter.  We cannot let take lightly.  However, as we come to understand and recognize the priceless gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ, our burdens will be lifted; not because we have a free ride with Him, but because we will come to see the joy of experiencing, learning, repenting, and feeling the freedom of forgiveness through His atonement.  “You have agency, and you are free to choose. But there is actually no free agency. Agency has its price. You have to pay the consequences of your choices” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf).  “Unfortunately, some of our poor choices are irreversible, but many are not. Often we can change course and get back on the right track. Getting back on the right track may involve the principles of repentance: first, recognizing the error of our ways; second, forsaking the wrongful conduct; third, never repeating it; and, fourth, confessing 3 and making restitution where possible. Learning by experience has value, but the “school of hard knocks” is deserving of its name” (James E. Faust)  We will fall but we have a way to rise up again. 

A recent post from Ashlee was titled “Gravity".  Therein, she talked about its constant and sure power.  Her perspective during those dark moments that gravity was pulling her down and combined with the evil powers swirling around they had brought her lower than she ever thought possible.

You may have a few different perspectives about the power of gravity through your own experiences:
      1.) It brings or holds you down

2.) It keeps you securely on this earth

3.) It, combined with another force, can lift you higher than you could go on your own

That last one may have surprised you.  Instead of using my own words I will quote from one of my favorite apostles, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf who was a pilot for many years.  He says, “In aerodynamics, gravity and drag work in opposition to lift. This same important principle has been an integral part of the plan of salvation from the beginning. As Lehi explained, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11; emphasis added).

How does that even make sense?  Gravity lifts you up?  Not alone, but when it is paired with drag it can take you soaring.  This is the same with our lives; we may feel lower than we ever thought possible but when we pair those experiences with the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ we can be lifted up into a beautiful and bright sunrise.   

“Human agency was purchased with the price of Christ’s suffering. The power of Christ’s Atonement overcomes the effect of sin on the condition of wholehearted repentance. Through and by the Savior’s universal and infinite Atonement, all have been redeemed from the Fall and have become free forever to act for themselves (2 Ne. 2:26).  By learning to use the gift of agency to make right decisions, you will increase your spiritual lift and altitude" (Uchtdorf).

(Christ is the Garden of Gethsemane)

Watch a short video about this experience at 

https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-savior-suffers-in-gethsemane?lang=eng 

        What a beautiful thought!  We have this gift, it will not be taken away, and with it we can choose the life we want to have.  We can choose!  One reason Ashlee emphasizes the word “victim” in many of her statements is because she doesn’t like that title that others have given to her.  She does not want to be a victim; she is not a victim.  Yes, other people used their agency to make horrible choices, choices that forever changed many lives including, and most especially, hers.  But, that does not mean that excuses can be made.  She still has her agency to choose to do and be good.  That is the same for you and me.  We have the choice.  We will always have the choice.  Bad things, hard things, and just plain stupid things will happen to us in this life but we have the ability to choose what to do with them.  I promise you that if you turn to the Savior in those heavy moments he will lift you up.  You will find the freedom you are seeking.  Choose Him. 

Further study material

President Uchtdorf's talk: https://www.lds.org/liahona/2006/07/on-the-wings-of-eagles?lang=eng
President Faust's talk: https://www.lds.org/liahona/2004/05/choices?lang=eng
Elder Hale's talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-of-agency?lang=eng
Agency: https://www.lds.org/topics/agency?lang=eng

Scriptures on agency: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/agency 

• Satan sought to destroy the agency of man: Moses 4:3
• The Lord gave unto man his agency: Moses 7:32
• A third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away because of their agency: D&C 29:36
• Ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves: Hel. 14:30
• Men are free according to the flesh: 2 Nephi 2:27