Elder Hales\u2019 talk on Agency is a reminder of who we are, what we choose to do now, and why we want the promises we\u2019ve made with Heavenly Father.<\/p>\n
Satan has taught the world that you have to take care of yourself, put yourself first, your needs are first, self-fulfillment is what it\u2019s all about. We see it everywhere: The Me generation.<\/p>\n
Heavenly Father has taught us to act for ourselves, to not be caught up in this worldly web of short-sighted lies. If we follow the crowd (those independent thinkers), we don\u2019t understand the Plan of our Father. We should relish the idea of being different; peculiar.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgency is to act with accountability\u201d, says Elder Hales, \u201cand responsibility for our actions.\u201d That means that there are consequences when we act selfishly, or generously. Whatever we do, the results are our own doing, good or bad. \u00a0When Jesus Christ volunteered to be our Savior, He didn\u2019t come to be accountable for us; He came to teach us accountability, so that when we accept responsibility for our actions, and repent, He will cover the cost.<\/p>\n
Satan is miserable. His followers are miserable. Why do you think \u201cLegion\u201d was so desperate for a body (to have power to act and do) that they were willing to go into pigs. (See Mark 5) Are they sorry for their choice? You bet. That choice would be their final choice. And THAT is miserable.<\/p>\n
Elder Hales says, \u201cBut think of it: in our premortal state WE CHOSE TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! And because we did, WE WERE ALLOWED to come to earth.\u00a0 I testify that by making the same choice to follow the Savior now, while we are here on earth, WE WILL OBTAIN an even greater blessing in the eternities. But let it be known: WE MUST CONTINUE TO CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR. Eternity is at stake and our wise use of agency and our actions are essential that we might have eternal life.\u201d (Emphasis added)<\/p>\n
Many people don\u2019t understand that agency brings true freedom. Look around you at all the drug addicts, alcoholics, and abusers. Sure, they chose what they wanted. Are they free? Never! Not until they beg for the opportunity to be responsible and accountable. I\u2019ve met people who are begging, and with love and encouragement, I try to guide them back home.\u00a0 It is not an easy road, but because of the Lord, Jesus Christ, that road exists, because agency is still available to them. How\u2019s that for mercy.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Jesus] taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress.\u201d Elder Hales assures us of God\u2019s love for each one of us, no matter where we are, no matter where we\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n
Speaking of mercy, the world has it all wrong. Elder Hales reminds us more of what the world teaches, \u201ceat, drink, and be merry;\u2026and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved.\u201d Justice must be served. Even God obeys the law. The crime must be paid for. Mercy only comes to those who strive to be obedient, seek after obedience, and exemplify obedience.<\/p>\n
\u201cSelective obedience\u201d is a great term, and we all have experienced it in our own lives, haven\u2019t we? We sometimes like to justify how we obey. Maybe, \u201cno one is looking\u201d, or \u201ceveryone else gets away with it\u201d, or \u201cit\u2019s no big deal\u201d. Are you really willing to take the chance? Do you want to continue starting small until it (whatever it is) gets so big, you can\u2019t control it anymore? Is it worth losing your agency over?<\/p>\n
I think the thing that amazes me more than anything else about Jesus Christ, is that He came to earth willing to give up His will from the very beginning.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t cry because He wasn\u2019t allowed to stay out and play ball with the boys. He didn\u2019t have a tantrum because He couldn\u2019t have something. Did He ever feel sorry for Himself? Was it all too much for Him? No. His life wasn\u2019t about Him. It was about His Father\u2019s business. It was about saving us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Elder Hales\u2019 talk on Agency is a reminder of who we are, what we choose to do now, and why we want the promises we\u2019ve made with Heavenly Father. Satan has taught the world that you have to take care of yourself, put yourself first, your needs are first, self-fulfillment is what it\u2019s all about. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,425],"tags":[438,437,436],"class_list":["post-2592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conference-talks","category-feature","tag-agency","tag-conference-talks-2","tag-hales"],"yoast_head":"\n