Category: Agency

Elder Hales expands the definition

In order for agency to be free, there cannot be consequences imposed by nature or by Nature’s Law. Nature’s law, as I understand it, is one and the same with God. Since God has become the law, He is no longer subjected to the law because He can act in no other way except righteousness. He has lost the ability to sin or to act capriciously. Therefore, God is the law.

For many years I have held to a strict definition of agency as: The power to act righteously. In a recent talk Elder Hales explained he could not find the definition of agency in the dictionary as we use it in the church. He then expounded the definition of agency to include freedom of choice.

Self-Imposed Governors

Opening the Mind to a Deeper Doctrine

The self-imposed governors we as humans place upon ourselves fascinates me. In this self-imposed state, we have become conditioned to avoid questioning the accepted. As such, many deep doctrines are never explored, discussed, or understood. (Deep doctrine is not the same as fringe doctrine.)

Our priesthood lesson this morning began with a discussion on agency. Unless freedom of choice is in the definition, it seems members are blind to anything else. So what is the definition, application, and role of agency?

Lot and Abraham: a contrast in priorities

Here is a letter I sent to Stuart who is serving as a missionary in the Spain, Malaga mission.

Dear Elder Himmer,

My greatest insight for today was during the 3rd hour at church. I was asked to teach a short lesson on avoiding temptation. So I studied the story of Abraham and Lot.

If you’ll remember, Lot and Abraham divided their wealth and Lot took the more fertile lands and Abraham was content with what was left over.

Freedom of Choice: In the First Place

I was taking a continuing education class the other day and came across this explanation of agency:

“Agency is a difficult concept for many people. An agent is a representative of another. Agency, then, is the set of responsibilities associated with representing another person or company. The law requires that an agent act in the best interest of the person to whom the agency relationship exists.”

If an agent is a representative of another, then how does that apply to us? Who are we representing? If we believe in the pre-mortal existence and the great plan that we voted for, then we represent our Father.

The Definition of Agency

The Definition of Agency

Within the unique language that is mormon-ese, the term agency carries multiple definitions.  Using the article “The Power and Gift of Agency” as a precursor, the pure definition of agency is:

The power to act righteously.

Within the doctrine of agency comes the most common belief that agency is the freedom of choice.  I have heard it taught very often during Gospel Doctrine, Priesthood, various Sunday school classes, in Young Men’s and Young Women’s lessons, and from the pulpit.

In the World or Of the World

We’ve been commanded to be in the world and not of the world.  Yet sometimes being in the world means we blend in and take a neutral position between good and evil.  There are plenty of people around to teach us how to blend in.  They can teach you how to avoid detraction in public, in society, what to wear or what not to wear.  What to believe and what not to believe.  How to believe, who to believe, and when to believe.  It’s the security of evil that renders neutrality an opposition to God.

A Father’s Day Tribute

God The Father
Father’s Day 2008

I don’t remember the exact details, but this is what I’ve put together so far. The spirits were innumerable, but we all felt we had front row seats. The Father presented His plan, we would take on a mortal body, different from the spiritual one we currently have. We were all excited, but we didn’t know exactly what that meant.

He taught us that we would be in a fallen state, sin would be rampant and people would make poor choices that would directly and indirectly lead to a lot of suffering and pain. We learned that when we made a poor choice, He would allow the natural consequences to happen, which was another way of saying we would be punished for our own sins.

Power and Gift of Agency

The Power and Gift of Agency
April 6, 2008

As spirit children of God, we engaged in a bitter war while in the Pre-mortal existence. During that battle, we defended the Word with the word. Our Leader was Jehovah, who stood on the right hand of His Father and was designated as the only conduit back to the presence of the Father.

We were taught that whenever we heard, saw, or felt the presence of Jehovah, it was the same as though it came from our Father. This doctrine is called the “Divine Investiture of Authority.” Jehovah became the singular Agent of His Father. He has total authority to act in behalf of the Father with the express purpose of bringing all souls back His presence.