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What Is Agency?

Have you ever wondered why God allows us to choose even when He knows we might make mistakes?

The answer lies in one of the greatest gifts He has given every one of His children: agency.

Agency is our God-given ability to choose and act for ourselves. It allows us to make decisions, learn from our experiences, and become the people God wants us to be. Without agency, we could not truly love, exercise faith, or grow spiritually.

Why Did God Give Us Agency?

Heavenly Father did not create us to simply obey commands. He wants His children to grow, learn, and willingly choose what is right.

If every decision were made for us, we could never develop faith, show love, or become more like Him. Choosing to follow Jesus Christ has meaning because it is our choice.

The Lord invites us to follow Him, but He never forces us. Throughout His ministry, the Savior lovingly taught people, encouraged them to repent, and invited them to come unto Him. He respected their freedom to choose.

Agency Was Part of God's Plan from the Beginning

Our ability to choose did not begin when we were born.

Before we came to earth, we lived with Heavenly Father as His spirit children. There, He presented His plan of happiness. That plan included coming to earth, receiving a physical body, and using our agency to choose between right and wrong.

Not everyone accepted that plan.

The scriptures teach that Lucifer wanted to remove our agency and force everyone to follow him.

The Lord declared:

"Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man... I caused that he should be cast down." (Moses 4:3)

Agency was so important that Heavenly Father allowed each of us to choose whose plan we would follow. We chose to follow Jesus Christ, and because of that choice, we came to earth.

Why Does Agency Matter Today?

Every day, we continue to use the same gift Heavenly Father gave us before we were born.

Sometimes we make good choices. Sometimes we make mistakes.

That is why Jesus Christ is central to God's plan. Through His Atonement, the Savior makes it possible for us to repent, change, and move forward with hope. He does not take away our agency. Instead, He helps us use it more wisely as we strive to follow Him.

As Jesus taught:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

Notice that the Savior invites us. He does not force us. Love and obedience have meaning because they are chosen freely.

Every Choice Shapes Our Future

Agency is not only about making life-changing decisions. It is also about the small choices we make every day.

When we choose to pray, study the scriptures, forgive others, or serve someone in need, we are becoming more like Jesus Christ. Over time, these daily choices shape our character and strengthen our faith.

Heavenly Father trusted us with the gift of agency because He wants us to grow through our own righteous choices.

How Can We Use the Gift of Agency Wisely?

We use our agency wisely by seeking the Lord's guidance before making important decisions. Through sincere prayer, scripture study, and listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can better recognize the path He wants us to follow. Even when we make mistakes, the Savior invites us to repent and choose again. As we consistently choose faith, honesty, kindness, and obedience, our agency helps us become more like Jesus Christ.

A Gift That Leads Us Back to God

Agency is one of God's greatest gifts because it allows us to choose Him.

Heavenly Father does not force His children to love Him or follow His commandments. Instead, He invites us to choose the path that leads to lasting joy.

Every righteous choice brings us closer to Jesus Christ. And through His grace, even when we make mistakes, we can repent, begin again, and continue our journey back to our Heavenly Father.

That is the beautiful purpose of agency not simply to choose, but to choose the Savior.

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