Agency

"“Oh, I suppose you could do that. But the choice is yours.” The only warning was in the emphasis she put on the words could and choice. Yet that was enough for me." President Henry B. Eyring, Let Us Raise Our Voice of Warning, Jan 2009

"The Prophet Joseph Smith explained, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.” 1 To me, this teaching is beautifully straightforward. As we strive to understand, internalize, and live correct gospel principles, we will become more spiritually self-reliant. The principle of spiritual self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church: 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." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Developing Christlike Attributes, October 2008

"Christlike attributes come into our lives as we exercise our agency righteously." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Developing Christlike Attributes, October 2008

"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." President Thomas S. Monson, Living the Abundant Life, January 2012

"Commitment is a little like diving into the water. Either you are committed or you are not. Either you are moving forward or you are standing still. There’s no halfway. We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives. As members of the Church, we must ask ourselves, “Will I dive in or just stand at the edge? Will I step forward or merely test the temperature of the water with my toes?”" President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Brother, I'm Committed, July 2011

"I knew what agency was and knew how important it was to be individual and to be independent, to be free. I somehow knew there was one thing the Lord would never take from me, and that was my free agency. I would not surrender my agency to any being but to Him! I determined that I would give Him the one thing that He would never take—my agency. I decided, by myself, that from that time on I would do things His way." Elder Boyd K. Packer, Spiritual Crocodiles, April 1976

"“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,
“To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency,” Ensign, May 2006

"Of all the glorious principles of the gospel, Lehi chose to teach his son about the plan of salvation—and the gift of agency." Robert D. Hales,
“To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency,” Ensign, May 2006

"The battle over man’s God-given agency continues today. Satan and his minions have their lures all around us, hoping that we will falter and take his flies so he can reel us in with counterfeit means."
 M. Russel Ballard, O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One, Liahona Nov. 2010

"Lehi taught this most important doctrine to his children. He said: “The Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. … And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Ne. 2:16, 27).

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, On the Wings of Eagles

Prior to this assignment, agency is not a principle to which I'd ever given much thought. I knew I had, that Heavenly Father had given it to all of us and would not take it, and that satisfied me. I know I'd heard before that the War in Heaven continued here on Earth, but it never really registered. The idea that even here, our agency can still be forfeit, is grim, even frightening. It makes agency not just a gift, but a gift with a purpose.   It makes it a treasured possession worth protecting and fighting for, and that is they "why" of obedience.