TrendZion

Passages drawn from the sermons and published works that carry this theme forward.

1. 1921·Orson F. Whitney·Apostle
   "If Christ knew beforehand, so did we. But in coming here, we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil, that we might merit the reward of our own choice and conduct. But by the power of the Spirit, in the redemption of Christ, through obedience, we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home." [1]
   Saturday Night Thoughts — apostle_bookcopy citation
2. 1973·N. Eldon Tanner·Apostle
   Yes, every day of our lives we are determining by our choices whether we shall reap good or evil, whether salvation or destruction, whether eternal life with our Father or the utter despair at being cast out from his presence. Each day we choose whether or not we believe in God the Eternal Father and in his Son Jesus Christ, and whether or not we will accept their teachings and keep the commandments.
   “Thou Mayest Choose for Thyself” — cojccopy citation
3. 1979·N. Eldon Tanner·Apostle
   Joseph taught the doctrine of free agency—that we are free to choose for ourselves good or evil, with the resulting blessings or penalties. We read in 2 Corinthians:
   The Contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith — cojccopy citation
4. 1987·Ezra Taft Benson·Prophet
   We, the blessed beneficiaries of the Constitution, face difficult days in America, “a land which is choice above all other lands” ( Ether 2:10 ).
   Our Divine Constitution — cojccopy citation
5. 1992·Richard G. Scott·Apostle
   When others give you advice, have you ever said, “I just don’t believe the way you do. Those are your standards and your principles. I have my own”? Please understand that no one can change truth. Rationalization, overpowering self-interest, all of the arguments of men, anger, or self-will cannot change truth. Satan knows that, so he tries to create an atmosphere where one unwittingly begins to feel that he can not only choose what to do, but can determine what is right to do. Satan strives to persuade us to live outside truth by rationalizing our actions as the right of choice.
   Healing Your Damaged Life — cojccopy citation
6. 2001·Neal A. Maxwell·Apostle
   Yes, we mortals are still free to choose. Yes, a war was even fought in heaven to preserve our moral agency. Yet down here, the great gift of agency is often surrendered without so much as a mild whimper!
   The Seventh Commandment: A Shield — cojccopy citation