I chose this quote because it reminds me that agency strengthens us and gives us the chance to serve others.
“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, 7–8.
No matter what, I always have a choice.
"Brethren, within the confines of whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we will always have the right to choose."
-President Thomas S. Monson "The Three Rs of Choice," General Conference, April 2010.
This quotes reminds me they there is a cost for our choices.
"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,” Liahona, July 2006
My agency allows me to learn and become better, even if it is from my mistakes.
“Because the eternal principle of agency gives us the freedom to choose and think for ourselves, we should become increasingly able to solve problems. We may make the occasional mistake, but as long as we are following gospel principles and guidelines, we can learn from those mistakes and become more understanding of others and more effective in serving them.”
-M. Russell Ballard "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One," Liahona, Nov. 2010
I like this quote because if I exercise my agency wisely, I will be happy.
“Agency used righteously allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness."
-Robert D. Hales, “To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency,” Liahona, May 2006
This is important to understand. Without agency, we cannot have eternal life.
“Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions. Our agency is essential to the plan of salvation. With it we 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.' ”
- Elder Robert D. Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” Liahona, Nov. 2010
This quote explains why agency is necessary.
“Our agency, given us through the plan of our Father, is the great alternative to Satan’s plan of force. With this sublime gift, we can grow, improve, progress, and seek perfection. Without agency, none of us could grow and develop by learning from our mistakes and errors and those of others.”
- President James E. Faust, “The Forces That Will Save Us,” Liahona, Jan. 2007
I find this helpful because President Monson observes that there are consequences.
"Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones. We have also been given the gift of agency. In a thousand ways we are privileged to choose for ourselves. Here we learn from the hard taskmaster of experience. We discern between good and evil. We differentiate as to the bitter and the sweet. We discover that there are consequences attached to our actions."
“Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions. Our agency is essential to the plan of salvation. With it we 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.' ”
- Elder Robert D. Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” Liahona, Nov. 2010
This quote explains why agency is necessary.
“Our agency, given us through the plan of our Father, is the great alternative to Satan’s plan of force. With this sublime gift, we can grow, improve, progress, and seek perfection. Without agency, none of us could grow and develop by learning from our mistakes and errors and those of others.”
- President James E. Faust, “The Forces That Will Save Us,” Liahona, Jan. 2007
I find this helpful because President Monson observes that there are consequences.
"Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones. We have also been given the gift of agency. In a thousand ways we are privileged to choose for ourselves. Here we learn from the hard taskmaster of experience. We discern between good and evil. We differentiate as to the bitter and the sweet. We discover that there are consequences attached to our actions."
- President Thomas S. Monson, "The Race of Life" General Conference, Apr. 2012
I find this to be a helpful explanation when one asks why God allows people to suffer.
“Agency—our power to choose—is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons’ choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons—even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another—for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress (compare Alma 42:8). He will bless us to endure the consequences of others’ choices, but He will not prevent those choices (compare Mosiah 24:14–15).”
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 27–28
I love this quote. Elder Christofferson explains what I can become from following Christ and using my agency wisely.
"Using our agency to choose God’s will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make us God’s puppet; it will make us like Him. God gave us agency, and Jesus showed us how to use it so that we could eventually learn what They know, do what They do, and become what They are."
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Moral Agency," Ensign, June 2009.
I find this to be a helpful explanation when one asks why God allows people to suffer.
“Agency—our power to choose—is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons’ choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons—even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another—for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress (compare Alma 42:8). He will bless us to endure the consequences of others’ choices, but He will not prevent those choices (compare Mosiah 24:14–15).”
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 27–28
I love this quote. Elder Christofferson explains what I can become from following Christ and using my agency wisely.
"Using our agency to choose God’s will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make us God’s puppet; it will make us like Him. God gave us agency, and Jesus showed us how to use it so that we could eventually learn what They know, do what They do, and become what They are."
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Moral Agency," Ensign, June 2009.
