Lesson Notes

Agency is an eternal principle given to us by a loving Father in Heaven that enables us to choose between good and evil and to act for ourselves. If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would choose for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices.

Agency makes our life on earth a period of testing. We cannot choose righteousness unless the opposites of good and evil are placed before us. God allows Satan to oppose the good Satan does all he can to destroy God's work. He seeks "the misery of all mankind..He seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:18,27) He does not love us. He does not want any good thing for us. He does not want us to be happy. He wants to make us his slaves. He uses many disguises to enslave us. When we follow Satan, we limit our choices. Making wrong choices limits the range of choices we can make as we are burdened with the consequences of those choices.

Even though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequences of those actions. The consequences, good or bad, follow as a natural result of any choice we make. Because we are able to choose, we are responsible for our actions.

Even if a situation is thrust upon us that is not of our choosing we can choose how we act or react. If a situation seems beyond our control we can always ask God for help. Our Heavenly Father will not allow us to be tempted beyond our power to resist.

Know this that every soul is free

To choose his life and what he'll be;

For this eternal truth is given:

That God will force no man to heaven.

He'll call, persuade, direct aright,

And bless with wisdom, love, and light,

In nameless was be good and kind,

But never force the human mind.

Hymn #240

NEXT WEEK: Gospel Principles Lesson 5: The Creation, page 23