In today’s world, understanding and embracing the principle of agency is more important than ever. We live in a time where countless voices—media, culture, politics, and even peers—clamor for our attention and attempt to shape our beliefs and actions. These voices often promote values that are in direct opposition to God’s teachings. In such a noisy world, the doctrine of agency becomes a vital compass, allowing us to navigate through confusion, choose wisely, and stay grounded in the things of God.
What is Agency?
Agency, at its core, is the God-given ability to make choices. It is central to the plan of salvation, which allows us to grow, learn, and ultimately return to our Heavenly Father. In 2 Nephi 2:27, we are reminded that “men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death.”
This gift of agency is not just a passive right to choose, but an active invitation from God to use our moral power wisely. Every choice we make has consequences that either draw us closer to God or distance us from Him. While we are free to choose, we are not free from the consequences of our choices. This is why understanding agency is essential: it helps us recognize the responsibility that comes with this divine gift.
Why Agency is More Important Now Than Ever
Today, more than at any other time in history, we are bombarded by an overwhelming array of choices. Every day, we are influenced by competing ideologies, distractions, and voices that seek to pull us away from the things of God. Social media, entertainment, and the pressures of modern society often elevate values like materialism, self-promotion, and instant gratification—leaving little room for spiritual reflection or alignment with divine truths.
In this environment, many people may be tempted to believe that agency means doing whatever feels good or popular at the moment. However, this is a distortion of true agency. Real agency is not just about making choices; it is about making righteous choices. It is about choosing to align our lives with God’s will, even when the world around us is pushing in the opposite direction.
In this age of voices that often lead us away from goodness and truth, agency becomes our shield. It allows us to step back, filter through the noise, and make conscious decisions based on eternal principles rather than fleeting trends.
Agency and Accountability: Partners in Progress
With the freedom of agency comes accountability. Every choice we make carries consequences—both temporal and spiritual. This is why agency is not merely a tool for self-gratification; it is a sacred responsibility. Doctrine and Covenants 101:78 teaches us 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.”
In a world that often promotes the avoidance of personal accountability, the doctrine of agency reminds us that we are responsible for our actions. This responsibility is empowering. It means that our future is in our hands—we can choose to follow the path that leads to peace, joy, and eternal life, or the path that leads to heartache and spiritual separation from God.
The Role of Jesus Christ in Agency
At the center of agency is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without His Atonement, agency would be meaningless. In a world where mistakes are inevitable, it is through Christ’s Atonement that we can be forgiven, repent, and return to the right path when we stray. Alma 42:15 teaches that through Christ, “mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement.”
This means that although the world may offer many distractions and temptations, Christ offers hope. When we make poor choices, He invites us to use our agency to choose repentance and redemption. The Atonement allows us to correct our course, reminding us that no matter how far we may drift, there is always a way back to God if we choose it.
Choosing the Path of Goodness in a Confusing World
One of the great challenges of our time is the subtle nature of evil. The adversary often disguises harmful choices as harmless or even virtuous. For example, the pursuit of personal success and wealth—while not inherently bad—can become damaging when it leads to neglect of spiritual matters or selfishness. Similarly, movements and trends that promote "self-expression" can sometimes distort the true principles of self-worth and identity as children of God.
As believers, we are called to use our agency to discern between good and evil, even when the lines seem blurred. We can do this by grounding ourselves in the teachings of the scriptures, heeding the counsel of prophets and apostles, and through sincere prayer. Moroni 7:16 provides guidance for this process: “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ.”
This scripture teaches us that anything that invites us to do good and to come closer to Christ is from God. By holding onto these divine truths, we can more easily recognize the paths that lead us away from Him and choose instead the path that leads to eternal joy.
Conclusion: The Power of Agency in Our Lives
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the principle of agency is more vital than ever. It is the key to remaining spiritually grounded in a world full of distractions. While the world may try to convince us that truth is relative, or that our choices don’t matter, we know that agency is sacred. Every choice we make has spiritual significance and can either draw us closer to our divine potential or lead us further away.
Let us cherish the gift of agency and use it wisely. Let us choose the path that leads to light, truth, and eternal happiness by aligning our will with God’s will. As we do so, we will find peace amid the chaos of the world, and we will fulfill our divine purpose as children of God.
