Given to man to be an agent unto themselves...

God, our Heavenly Father, gave us the greatest gift possible: our agency... That agency is not better known as "free agency" though. You see, agency is absolutely NOT free and we are either blessed for our correct choices or we incur the punishment for those choices that we make that will take us further away from His spirit.

Initially and originally, in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 29, verse 35 we read: "Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself..." He also says, in Abraham 3:25 that "... we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lords their God shall command them."

How is He going to "prove us herewith"? Well, don't worry--it seems that He has thought of EVERYTHING, because we also read in section 29, verse 39: "And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet..."

So AGENCY, as you can see now and well know, is having two choices placed before us and being able to choose the "better" choice or to choose the choice that will bring us becoming closer to God and closer, in attributes, to becoming more like his perfect Son.

We will also read, if he look at the Doctrine and Covenants, section 93 (my absolute favorite section, by the way...), in verse 31: "Behold, here is the agency of man," to have those at least two choices placed before us and being given the power to choose the better half, "and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light." In other words, we do not make the same choice that Jesus Christ would have chosen (because he always chose that which was pleasing to His Father...).

Now, what are we supposed to do if there are plainly two good and fine choices before us and God, our Father, is not showing us which choice we should make? Excellent question and the point of writing this blog! Brigham Young, the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the founder of the famous University called after his name, gave us guidance on this very question: "If I ask God to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in life... And get no answer from Him, and then do the very best that my judgement will allow me, He is bound to own and honor that transaction, and will do so."

What are we to understand from the words of the prophet? Let's say that the choice comes before us, say, as to which job to accept, and we do all of our homework and we make it a matter of constant prayer and yet, still receive no answer as to which choice the Lord would have us choose-- "and then do the very best that my judgement will allow me, He is bound to own and honor that transaction, and will do so."

God leaves the choice in our hands and the decision is completely ours... Our infinitely wise and kind Heavenly Father wants us to become as wise as He is and hey... This Earth IS His proving ground and we have to prove to both Him and to ourselves that we will "choose wisely". "And those who keep their first estate shall have have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (Abraham 3:26)

So, whenever you do have a choice to make, and it seems that you are left to make your own choice with no guidance, accept (gladly) the compliment that your Lord and your God trusts you so well that He knows that you are going to make the wise choice, because you have been long taught and have long been obedient to the other principles of His Gospel. He KNOWS that you will, likewise, make a wise decision, regardless of what you do, in fact, choose to make...

Just be wise!

JPS