AGENCY QUOTES

You and I were among those who used their agency to accept Heavenly Father’s plan to come to earth, to have a mortal life, to progress. “We shouted for joy … to have the opportunity of coming to the earth to receive bodies [for we knew] that we might become, through faithfulness, like unto our Father, God.”  Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act For Ourselves:  The Gift and Blessings of Agency, April 2006 General Conference. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-of-agency?lang=eng

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!  Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act For Ourselves:  The Gift and Blessings of Agency, April 2006 General Conference. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-of-agency?lang=eng

Throughout His life our Savior showed us how to use our agency. As a boy in Jerusalem, He deliberately chose to “be about [His] Father’s business.”10 In His ministry, He obediently chose “to do the will of [His] Father.” 11 In Gethsemane, He chose to suffer all things, saying, “Not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” 12 On the cross, He chose to love His enemies, praying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 13 And then, so that He could finally demonstrate that He was choosing for Himself, He was left alone. “[Father,] why hast thou forsaken me?” He asked. 14 At last, He exercised His agency to act, enduring to the end, until He could say, “It is finished.” 15

Though He “was in all points tempted like as we are,” 16 with every choice and every action He exercised the agency to be our Savior—to break the chains of sin and death for us. And by His perfect life, He taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress.  Elder Robert D. Hales, To Act For Ourselves:  The Gift and Blessings of Agency, April 2006 General Conference. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/to-act-for-ourselves-the-gift-and-blessings-of-agency?lang=eng

Latter-day Saints are not obedient because they are compelled to be obedient. They are obedient because they know certain spiritual truths and have decided, as an expression of their own individual agency, to obey the commandments of God.  Elder Boyd K. Packer, Agency and Control, April 1983 General Conference. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/04/agency-and-control?lang=eng

But agency is ours as well. We look up, and in the universe we see the handiwork of God and measure things by epochs, by eons, by dispensations, by eternities. The many things we do not know we take on faith.  But this we know! It was all planned before the world was. Events from the Creation to the final, winding-up scene are not based on chance; they are based on choice! It was planned that way.  Elder Boyd K. Packer, Agency and Control, April 1983 General Conference. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/04/agency-and-control?lang=eng

I experienced the joy of coming closer to the Savior and of His coming closer to me most often through simple acts of obedience to the commandments. Elder Henry B. Eyring, Come unto Me, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/come-unto-me?lang=eng

Be obedient to the prophetic teachings Christ would have you follow. Don’t rationalize away future happiness by taking shortcuts instead of applying sound gospel principles. Remember: little things lead to big things. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly, simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings.  Elder Richard G. Scott, For Peace at Home, 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng

Agency is essential to the plan of happiness. It allows for the love, sacrifice, personal growth, and experience necessary for our eternal progression. This agency also allows for all the pain and suffering we experience in mortality, even when caused by things we do not understand and the devastating evil choices of others. The very War in Heaven was waged over our moral agency and is essential to understanding the Savior’s earthly ministry.  Elder Quentin L. Cook, Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/personal-peace-the-reward-of-righteousness?lang=eng

The Lord’s way is that we hearken to our leaders’ teachings, understand correct principles, and govern ourselves.  Elder Stanley G. Ellis, The Lord’s Way, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-lords-way?lang=eng

In addition, use your agency to develop yourself personally. As you discover your gifts and talents, remember that parents and mentors may assist you, but you must let the Spirit guide you. Choose and act for yourself. Be motivated from within. Make a plan for your life, including education or vocational training. Explore interests and skills. Work and become self-reliant. Set goals, overcome mistakes, gain experience, and finish what you begin. Elder Robert D. Hales, Stand Strong in Holy Places, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/stand-strong-in-holy-places?lang=eng