Sabbath Devotional: Thoughts on Agency

I have been thinking about the concept of agency. Agency is vital to our theology and our understanding of the purpose of this life. Lehi explained the overarching use of agency: “And they 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” (2 Nephi 2:27).

In this life, we are choosing between eternal life or captivity and death, even in our daily choices. But as we are on the covenant path to eternal life, we have room for individuality and creativity.

 Consider this familiar passage:

“For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” (D&C 58:26-28)

Learning obedience is an essential part of our journey through this life. However, I believe our Heavenly Parents want much more for us than simply doing our duty. They want us to grow and become like they are. To do this, we must do many good things of our own free will. We don’t need to be commanded in all things. We are taught principles of the gospel, and we can choose how to best put those into action.

Have you ever wished that the leaders of the Church would be more direct in condemning or endorsing various current issues and events? I have. It would make life so much easier. Many who lived in the time of Jesus were also disappointed with His approach. They had hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and free His people. One of the reasons Christ was rejected was because He preached principles of peace, mercy, and love, when the people wanted political action. 

I am slowly coming to learn the power of agency in the way our prophets and apostles teach the gospel of Christ. When I set aside my own expectations and choose to honestly listen, I hear pleas for humanity, charity, mercy, and peacemaking. I then get to use my own inspired initiative and revelatory creativity to enact those principles in my home and community.

It's very exciting to be trusted in this way.

But it also comes with challenges. Not only do I need to use my agency to do many things of my own free will, I need to respect the fact that God inspires different people differently. My way is not the only way. Others will take those same principles and feel inspired to act in different ways. And I don’t get to judge them when they do.

In democracy, as in church and other relationships, it’s hard to listen to other people and acknowledge that their views are valid — perhaps they are even inspired. It’s hard to find compromise or consensus on difficult issues. It’s hard to love those we consider to be our political enemies, do good to them, and promote their welfare.

But in this messy life, the Lord is allowing us a chance for tremendous growth. I am learning that my responsibility is to love without judgment, to find the good in people I disagree with, and to hold their opinions as legitimate. I am grateful that I can stay in community with people who challenge me. I learn from them. And when all is said and done, I am accountable for my own self, and that includes how well I love my difficult neighbors.

“That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.” (D&C 101:78)

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Megan Rawlins Woods is the nonpartisan root senior director at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.