Agency

1.      “The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?” (Thomas S. Monson in Conference Report, I will not fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee, Oct. 2013)

2.      “Staying on the gospel path of covenants, commandements, and ordinances protects us and prepares us to do God’s work in this world. When we obey the Word of Wisdom, our agency is protected from addictions to substances like alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. As we pay our tithing, study the scriptures, receive baptism and confirmation, live for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, partake of the sacrament worthily, obey the law of chastity, prepare for and receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and make sacred covenants in the temple, then we are prepared to serve.” (Robert D. Hales in Conference Report, Stand Strong in Holy Places, April 2013)

3.      “God intended that men and women would be free to make choices between good and evil.” (Quentin L. Cook in Conference Report, Lamentation of Jeremiah: beware of Bondage, Oct. 2013)

4.      “My dear brothers and sisters, each day is a day of decision, and our decisions determine our destiny. One day each of us will stand before the Lord in judgment. We will each have a personal interview with Jesus Christ. We will account for decisions that we made about our bodies, our spiritual attributes, and how we honored God’s pattern for marriage and family. That we may choose wisely each days decisions for eternity is my earnest prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.” (Russell M. Nelson in Conference Report, Decisions for Eternity, Oct. 2013)

5.      “Men and womaen receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws.” (L. Tom Perry in Conference Report, Obedience to Law is Liberty, April 2013)

6.      “A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandements of God.” (Thomas S. Monson in Conference Report, Obedience Brings Blessings, April 2013)

7.      “The other promise I make to you is that by choosing to serve Him this day, you will feel His love and grow to love Him more…By serving Him this day, you will come to know Him better. You will feel His love and appreciation.” (Henry B. Eyring in Conference Report, This Day, April 2007)

8.      “In this life we have to make many choices. Some are very important choices. Some are not. May of our choices are between good and evil. The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices. Making perfect choices all of the time is not possible. It just doesn’t happen. But it is possible to make good choices we can live with and grow from.” (James E. Faust in Conference Report, Choices, April 2004)

9.      "Most people in trouble end up crying, 'What was I thinking?' Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren’t thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to 'always remember him.' So let us work a little harder at remembering Him." (Elder Jefferey R. Holland in Conference Report, Place No More For the Enemy of My Soul, April 2010)

10.  “It may make a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley in May 2004 Ensign, Stay on the High Road)

Position Statement: “Choose the right, when the choice is placed before you.” How incredible it is to know that I have agency. As I have read talks about agency, I have been reminded that even if we stand alone in our standards, we must still stand strong, no matter what happens. There will be times that we will be laughed at and mocked. But I have gained a testimony this semester as I started my mission papers and submitted them that there are people who will decide they do not like you because of what you believe. I know many who have distanced themselves from me because I did not participate in swearing or drinking. Although it hurts me to lose those friends, I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father has blessed me for standing up for what I believe. I will never lower my standards just so that I may fit in and have more friends.