Topic

Agency

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that agency, or the ability to choose for ourselves, is an essential part of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. A war was fought in heaven when Satan advocated an opposing plan that stifled the agency of Heavenly Father’s children. Because we are here on earth, we know that all of us fought for and chose God’s plan.

One of our major purposes in this mortal life is to show that we are willing to follow God of our own free will. Therefore, Heavenly Father will never take away our ability to choose. He will give us commandments, but He will not force us to obey.

Every choice has a consequence. God ensures our agency, but by so doing He also allows us to face the consequences of our actions, good or bad. We are also often faced with the consequences of the actions of others. While it is difficult to deal with the consequences of our own agency and the agency of others, the alternative—a world without consequences—would effectively be a world without choices. Without agency, we would be unable to learn and grow. Our righteousness would be meaningless and our joy empty. In the Book of Mormon, Nephi teaches that without wickedness, we cannot know righteousness, and without sorrow, we cannot know happiness (2 Nephi 2:22-23). Thankfully, the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes the negative consequences of agency, which would otherwise be eternal, only temporary if we will accept His grace. He can forgive our sins and heal the bitterness and pain caused by the wrongs of others.

Agency is empowered by knowledge. The more we know, the more power we have to make choices—and the more accountable we become for those choices. Therefore, we strive to learn all we can to enable us to not just choose good over evil, but best over “good enough”. We also strive to teach others so that they are empowered to choose.

These BYU devotionals explore the necessity and significance of human agency, its place within God’s plan for each of us, and its implications in many earthly endeavors.

James B. Martino | September 15, 2020

“Remember that there is one thing Christ and Satan have in common—they both want us to become like them. Satan, however, wants to trick us into it. Christ wants it to be our choice.”

devotional 2020

Kevin J Worthen, President of Brigham Young University.

Kevin J Worthen | August 24, 2020

President Kevin J Worthen shares insights on how we should act despite outside influences.

university conference 2020

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ronald A. Rasband | January 21, 2020

How are you exercising your agency to further the work of the Lord?

devotional 2020

Pam Musil | August 6, 2019

All of us can find ways to be more open and receptive to the transformative change that the Lord requires of us—even that mighty change that transforms us into someone new.

devotional 2019

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gerrit W. Gong | October 16, 2018

May we learn how to learn by the Spirit; may we choose and decide in time how best to prepare for eternity; may we offer global experience and training to contribute to every nation, kindred, and tongue; and may we seek and rejoice in spiritual strengthening.

devotional 2018

Joy D. Jones | August 21, 2018

Obviously we cannot completely control the events that come at us daily, but we can indeed control the worthwhileness of those events. We worship an omniscient God and know that “all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.”

devotional 2018

Benjamin M. Ogles | January 30, 2018

Being “an example of the believers,” living a life of kindness and compassion, keeping your covenant “to mourn with those that mourn,” and serving others can all have powerful effects on those around you.

devotional 2018

Lynn G. Robbins | August 22, 2017

Agency and responsibility are inseparably connected. You cannot avoid responsibility without also diminishing agency. Mercy and justice are also inseparable. You cannot deny the Lord’s justice without also impeding His mercy.

devotional 2017

Elder Quentin L. Cook, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Quentin L. Cook | February 7, 2017

[The family proclamation] unequivocally proclaims: "We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."

devotional 2017

Stephen W. Liddle | May 3, 2016

I believe that when we exercise our agency to learn, grow, and accomplish good in this world and when we apply “the principles of righteousness,” our influence will naturally increase.

devotional 2016

James L. Slaughter | July 1, 2014

As important as choices are—such as what to major in, what career path to take, where to live, and where to send the kids to school—the choices you make regarding the type of person you want to be are, in my opinion, more important and will help you make those very important decisions regarding the direction you choose for your life and your family.

devotional 2014

Paul V. Johnson | November 6, 2012

How could we become like the Savior if we did not have agency to make those choices? By using our agency to choose the right, we begin to put on the divine nature—to pattern our lives after His. We find peace, happiness, and freedom as we make right choices.

devotional 2012

Robert D. Hales | September 14, 2010

In our fast-paced world, we are sometimes impatient for His plan to unfold. Popular culture tells us, “Get a life.” My advice to all of us is, “Get an eternal life.” By making right choices today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our time on earth, that eternal goal means the most to us.

devotional 2010

David V. Dearden | March 31, 2009

Well-meaning people may honestly disagree with my interpretation of how the universe is put together. Agency allows and requires this possibility. But for me, as I noted above, science is faith affirming because I choose to believe, and everything else follows.

devotional 2009

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

D. Todd Christofferson | January 31, 2006

It is because of the Atonement of Christ that we can recover from bad choices and be justified under the law as if we had not sinned.

devotional 2006

Lynn A. Mickelsen | June 28, 2005

Becoming decisive is part of our spiritual growing up. This growing up requires constant decision making. We must learn to be decisive, because indecision is no choice at all. If we fail to choose, we fail to act.

devotional 2005

Dana T. Griffen | May 31, 2005

The abundant opportunities to choose the right that confront us in apparently small ways each day provide the choices that I am talking about. These are the choices that mold character and determine who, at the core, we really are.

devotional 2005

Claudia J. Clayton | April 6, 2004

I submit that a prerequisite for dealing in any way with adversaries is to love them. A wonderful side effect of living this principle is that it invites the Spirit to teach us how to handle the situation. Hatred and contempt are not consonant with the presence of the Spirit.

devotional 2004

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ.

Neal A. Maxwell | March 16, 2004

[God] wants us to have joy. We cannot do that unless we are free to choose. But neither can we have that joy unless we are willing to be spiritually submissive day in, day out, and unless we exercise that grand and glorious freedom to choose in which people truly matter more than stars.

devotional 2004

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf | November 11, 2003

The Holy Ghost will be the wind beneath your wings, placing in your hearts the firm conviction of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and His place in the eternal plan of God, your Eternal Father.

devotional 2003

Randall W. Boothe | February 4, 2003

Are we ready to choose to commit to the Lord’s plan? Are we ready to choose to forsake our sins and come unto Christ? Will we choose to call on His name?

devotional 2003

Sheri L. Dew | March 21, 2000

The Lord needs faithful, articulate, committed men and women who are undaunted by what lies ahead and who are willing to stand up for what is right again and again...

devotional 2000

Dallin H. Oaks—first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dallin H. Oaks | February 9, 1999

An important discussion of controversial topics such as the family, abortion, choice, and diversity, in terms of earthly objectives and eternal goals.

devotional 1999

Clayne L. Pope | March 25, 1997

Some of you may be wondering what it would be like to stand here at a podium where prophets, apostles, presidents of the United States, a prime minister of England, Nobel Prize winners, university presidents, and many learned men and women have spoken—particularly some of you who may feel you are not quite as qualified as those who have occupied this place. As the least-qualified devotional speaker in the history…

devotional 1997

Marion D. Hanks | April 16, 1996

We all have the need to know the processes by which we recoup what we could be and could have, had we chosen more wisely. So these are the three basics: Atonement, Agency, and Accountability.

devotional 1996

Richard G. Scott | March 3, 1996

Do what is right and others will follow your example. Every time you make the right choice in the face of potential criticism, you build strength that makes it easier the next time.

devotional 1996

Ruth E. Brasher | May 30, 1995

Ruth E. Brasher, director of the BYU Honor Code Office, shares insights into the dangers of separating agency from accountability.

devotional 1995

Elaine L. Jack | January 3, 1993

To "get a life," we must use our agency to love God and serve others. Then, no matter our circumstance, we can say "Life can't get any better than this."

devotional 1993

Dennis Rasmussen | May 9, 1989

In the thirtieth chapter of Deuteronomy we read, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (19). With these words Moses challenged the children of Israel to renew their covenant with the Lord. We may have heard the same words earnestly addressed to us by parents, teachers, and church leaders. We know what they mean. Or do we? Perhaps we could gain by pondering…

devotional 1989

J. Richard Clarke | February 14, 1989

Christlike character is cultivated through our choices, not our circumstances or predispositions. We are always accountable for the outcome of our actions.

devotional 1989

Dallin H. Oaks | October 11, 1987

God's plan includes agency, the freedom to choose. That cannot be taken away, but our freedom, or ability to act on our choices, can.

devotional 1987

Glenn L. Pace | March 25, 1986

There is a balance to be found in life between looking to the Lord's hand in all things and using your God-given agency to guide you through life.

devotional 1986

Angel Abrea | June 26, 1984

Your free agency is a gift from God and can save you from being tied down by procrastination, bad habits, and debilitating excuses.

devotional 1984

F. Burton Howard | May 22, 1984

In life's constant opportunities for giving and getting, let us be more concerned with giving. Nothing worth getting comes without effort and sacrifice.

devotional 1984

Mary Ellen Edmunds | February 1, 1984

Using the tagline, "spiritual is as spiritual does," Mary Ellen Edmunds reminds us that spirituality is determined by the steps we take to develop it.

devotional 1984

Royden G. Derrick | June 14, 1983

The gift of agency is central to the Plan of Salvation. Using our agency to follow God's commandments gives us true independence and power over our destiny.

devotional 1983

Dean L. Larsen | March 1, 1981

Our light will shine and we will influence the world for good as we respect the agency of others and have pure intentions.

devotional 1981

S. Dilworth Young | May 30, 1978

God desires all His children to return to Him, but the conflict of life is to choose between eternity's blessings and compromising for worldly things.

devotional 1978

Daniel H. Ludlow | July 2, 1974

Daniel H. Ludlow outlines the conditions necessary for our moral free agency to be effective. In our lives and our country, we must preserve this freedom.

devotional 1974

Bruce R. McConkie | February 27, 1973

It is our obligation to go to work on our problems and then counsel with the Lord and get the ratifying seal of the Holy Spirit on the conclusions that we’ve reached; and that ratifying seal is the spirit of revelation.

devotional 1973

Elray L. Christiansen | March 14, 1962

Time is a god-given gift that the wise will cherish and that the foolish will waste or misuse; what we do here will determine what we are in the eternities.

devotional 1962

Harold B. Lee - Mormon Prophet and Apostle

Harold B. Lee | April 19, 1961

It isn't enough to be doing the right things; we need to make sure we are doing them for the right reasons. Ask yourself, "Are my motives pure?"

devotional 1961

Theodore M. Burton | January 16, 1961

The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.

devotional 1961

Adam S. Bennion | March 5, 1957

What are you making of the many opportunities you have? Adam S. Bennion counsels students to take advantage of their time devoted to study and improvement.

devotional 1957

Hugh B. Brown | May 31, 1956

Your soul is as powerful as the atomic weapons which our age fears. As you discover your divine potential, you will be able to actualize it.

devotional 1956

Hugh B. Brown | November 9, 1954

Your personal liberty does not give your the right to flout standards and rules that you have agreed to, nor to ignore when others who do so.

devotional 1954

J. Reuben Clark | June 5, 1946

The morality of the world can be no greater than the goodness of its individuals. Use your knowledge and God's guidance to make the world a better place.

commencement 1946