Agency, the
power to choose, is a gift of God. As we read in 2 Nephi 2:16: “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto
man that he should act for himself.” Further, “Therefore, cheer up your hearts,
and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of
everlasting death or the way of eternal life” (2 Nephi 10:23). And in modern
revelation the Lord said, “Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent
unto himself” (D&C 29:35).
The Prophet Joseph Smith described agency as “that
free independence of mind which heaven has so graciously bestowed upon the
human family as one of its choicest gifts” (Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 49). The word free is also used to describe agency in this hymn Latter-day Saints
have been singing since our first hymnbook was printed in 1835:
Know this,
that ev’ry soul is free
To choose his life and what he’ll be;
For this eternal truth is giv’n
That God will force no man to heav’n.
He’ll call, persuade, direct, aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind. (“Know This, That Every Soul is Free,” Hymns [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985], no. 240) (Dallin H. Oaks, “Agency and Freedom,” in A Book of Mormon Treasury: Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators [Provo/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2003], 32-46, here, pp. 33-34)
To choose his life and what he’ll be;
For this eternal truth is giv’n
That God will force no man to heav’n.
He’ll call, persuade, direct, aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind. (“Know This, That Every Soul is Free,” Hymns [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985], no. 240) (Dallin H. Oaks, “Agency and Freedom,” in A Book of Mormon Treasury: Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators [Provo/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2003], 32-46, here, pp. 33-34)