Obviously I’ve been thinking a lot about agency and honesty lately due to the experiences we’ve been having with Mandy.
I decided to start my study today by looking up Agency in the Topical Guide.
Here are some of the scriptures (from the Bible) that stood out to me.
Scriptures about Agency
Here are some from the Book of Mormon:
From Doctrine & Covenants:
Now the study and review of these scriptures to see how they tie in with Honesty…
Here’s Genesis 4:7 in context:
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare aCain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a akeeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the afirstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto bAbel and to his coffering:
5 But unto aCain and to his boffering he had not crespect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be aaccepted? and if thou bdoest not well, csin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be dhisedesire, and thou shalt rule over him.
What I think is interesting about this passage is that it talks about the wordRESPECT. One of the things I’m learning through this whole experience is that as we try to do what’s right and be honest with ourselves and others, we gain the trust and respect of not only those around us, but I’m sure we also gain more trust and respect from God. He is watching us to see if we’ll keep the commandments and follow the teachings of His prophets and leaders.
It’s also interesting that in verse 7 it talks about DOING well versus not doing well. We have the “freedom to act and be acted upon.”
I really like 2 Nephi 2:27 too:
27 Wherefore, men are afree according to the bflesh; and call things are dgiven them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to echoosefliberty and eternal glife, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be hmiserable like unto himself.
Mandy, and all of us, are free to choose, we’re free to follow what and who we want to follow; but the consequences will be just. Like it says in Mosiah 2:41:
41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
And in D&C 29:39 it says:
39 And it must needs be that the adevil should btempt the children of men, or they could not be cagents unto themselves; for if they never should have dbitter they could not know the sweet—
There had to be an opposition in all things: if not, we wouldn’t know the difference between right and wrong, happiness and misery, just and un-just.
Scriptures about Honesty
Yet another interesting section of scripture about DOING the will of the Father – Philippians 4:8-9:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are atrue, whatsoever things are bhonest, whatsoever things are cjust, whatsoever things are dpure, whatsoever things are elovely, fwhatsoever things are of good report; if there be any gvirtue, and if there be any praise, hthink on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and areceived, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (emphasis added)
And more about doing His will – Hebrews 13:20-21:
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great ashepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the beverlasting ccovenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good awork to do his bwill, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (emphasis added)
What will happen to the person who doesn’t tell the truth?
8 A adouble minded man is unstable in all his ways. – James 1:8
How should we teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the aSpirit speaketh the btruth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really care, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us dplainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also espake them unto prophets of old. (Jacob 4:13)
What were the effects of Joseph Smith being honest?
25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was bhated and cpersecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me dfalsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.
Conclusion
I know that agency is a huge part of the plan of happiness. I know that God gave us the freedom to chose so that His justice would be just and so that His mercy would lose the chains of justice. He obviously wants ALL of us to return to Him; it’s not my job to make the choices for others; I must first choose for myself who I will serve.
I’m grateful for the testimonies in the scriptures of honesty, integrity, and choosing to do the will of the Father.
I’m grateful for the choices I’ve made, even some of the bad ones, that have taught me what it feels like to do the will of God or my own will (which is not right in most cases, which is based on the natural man).
I know that as I study the scriptures and words of the prophets, both ancient and modern, that I come to understand more and more what the will of God is for me. As I understand His will for me and DO it, I know I’m gaining His trust, His respect, and am bringing myself closer to Him.
I know that the Atonement is the only way to truly bring myself back to God. I must do the best I can and then rely on the Savior to fill in all the gaps.
I’m grateful for this time I’ve made to study and reflect.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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