Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Teachings of the Living Prophets: Agency


Agency

One of the greatest gifts our Father in Heaven has given us is our agency. We have the freedom to choose and that can never be taken away from us. Following God's commandments helps us protect our agency and allows us to more wisely use or freedom of choice. When we give in to temptations and addictions we give up part of our agency. 

1.“Certainly one of our God-given privileges is the right to choose what our attitude will be in any given set of circumstances. We can let the events that surround us determine our actions—or we can personally take charge and rule our lives, using as guidelines the principles of pure religion. Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action. Nothing will ever be of real benefit to us until it is incorporated into our own lives.” (Marvin J. Ashton. Pure Religion. 1982 General Conference.)
2.“Accountability is the natural product of agency and is the basis of the plan of life. We are responsible for our own actions and accountable to God for what we choose to do with our lives. Life is God’s gift to us, and what we do with it is our gift to him.” (Elaine Cannon. 1983 General Conference. Agency and Accountability.)
3.“No power on earth, no power beneath the earth, will ever prevent you or me or any Latter-day Saint from being saved, except ourselves” (Heber J. Grant. From the Life of Heber J. Grant.)
4.“It’s not so much what happens to us but how we deal with what happens to us.“ (James E. Faust. October General Conference. October 2004.)
5.“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.  January 2012 Liahona. Living the Abundant Life.)
6.“We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.” (Thomas S. Monson.  January 2012 Liahona. Living the Abundant Life.)
7.“My dear young friends, when the captain of a long-range jet passes the point of safe return, and the headwinds are too strong or the cruising altitudes too low, he might be forced to divert to an airport other than his planned destination. This is not so in our journey through life back to our heavenly home. Wherever you find yourselves on this journey through life, whatever trials you may face, there is always a point of safe return; there is always hope. You are the captain of your life, and God has prepared a plan to bring you safely back to Him, to your divine destination.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Is There a Point of No Return? New Era June 2012.)
8.“You live in a time of great challenges and opportunities. As spirit sons of heavenly parents, you are free to make the right choices. This requires hard work, self-discipline, and an optimistic outlook, which will bring joy and freedom into your life now and in the future.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf. See the End from the Beginning. Ensign May 2006.)
9.“When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency. It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. Agency is an eternal law. President Brigham Young, speaking of our agency, taught: ‘This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice’.” ( Wlofgang H. Paul. Deseret News, Oct. 10, 1866, 355)
10.“We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary.” (Boyd K. Packer. Prayer and Promptings. Ensign November 2009.)

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