Lesson Highlights:
Agency is an Eternal Principle:
*If someone asked you why it is important to have agency, what would you say?
"In our premortal life we had moral agency. One purpose of earth life is to show what choices we will make (see 2 Nephi 2:15–16). 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 is a Necessary Part of the Plan of Salvation:
"Agency makes our life on earth a period of testing. When planning the mortal creation of His children, God said, “We will prove [test] them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25). Without the gift of agency, we would have been unable to show our Heavenly Father whether we would do all that He commanded us. Because we are able to choose, we are responsible for our actions (see Helaman 14:30–31).
When we choose to live according to God’s plan for us, our agency is strengthened. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.
As we obey each of our Father’s commandments, we grow in wisdom and strength of character. Our faith increases. We find it easier to make right choices."
*How does this increase our wisdom & faith?
Agency Requires That There Be a Choice:
"When we follow the temptations of Satan, we limit our choices. The following example suggests how this works. Imagine seeing a sign on the seashore that reads: “Danger—whirlpool. No swimming allowed here.” We might think that is a restriction. But is it? We still have many choices. We are free to swim somewhere else. We are free to walk along the beach and pick up seashells. We are free to watch the sunset. We are free to go home. We are also free to ignore the sign and swim in the dangerous place. But once the whirlpool has us in its grasp and we are pulled under, we have very few choices. We can try to escape, or we can call for help, but we may drown."
*Do the commandments give us more restrictions?
*Sister Hansen used the example of holding a dollar bill behind her back and having a sister pick which hand it was in. Then she held out both hands, one with the dollar bill in it and asked the sister to choose a hand, she of course chose the hand with the dollar. Sister Hansen asked what is the difference between picking & choosing and how does that relate to our agency? Heavenly Father doesn't ask us to make blind guesses! We are able to choose fully knowing the consequences or blessings. We have many resources to teach us about these consequences:
- Scriptures
- Living Prophets
- Proclamation to the Family
- PRAYER
- family & friends
- The past: we are doomed to repeat the past if we don't learn from it
Announcements:
*Congratulations to Sister Rasmussen & Sister Hart, they both had had baby boys this past week. Both mom's & babies are doing well.
*Next Sunday will be the last day to donate items for Sister Allen's humanitarian trip. Please see the complete list of items needed on the right hand side of this blog.
*Mark your calendars for our next Relief Society Meeting: Tues, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. We will be celebrating the birthday of Relief Society and having dinner. Please join us for a fun evening!
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