Agency (LDS Church)

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For other senses of the word "agency", see agency.

Agency (also referred to as free agency or moral agency), in Latter-day Saint theology, is "the privilege of choice which was introduced by God the Eternal Father to all of his spirit children in the premortal state".[1] Mortal life is viewed as a test of faith, where our choices are central to the Plan of Salvation. "It was essential for their eternal progression that they be subjected to the influences of both good and evil".[1] Mormons believe that Lucifer presented an alternative plan, which resulted in a war in heaven, with Lucifer being cast out of heaven and becoming Satan.[2]

Mormons further believe that all individuals have the ability to determine the difference between good and evil.[3] Mormons further believe that Satan and his followers are not able to tempt people beyond the point where they can resist.[4] This implies that we can be held accountable for our actions;[5] we will be judged by God based on a combination of our faith and works.[6]

Contents

[edit] Pre-existence

A major difference, and a key insight to Mormons' understanding of free agency, between mainstream Christians and Latter-day Saints involves the belief of a life before mortality, called the Pre-existence. Latter-day Saints believe that before the earth was created, all mankind lived in a pre-existent life as spirit children of God.[7] Here Heavenly Father nurtured, taught and provided means for their development. This preparation would allow them to later become the men and women of Earth, to be further educated and tested in the schoolhouse of mortality in order to return to God's presence and become like Him. Thus the pre-existent life is believed to have been an indefinitely long period of probation, progression, and schooling. Mormons believe that there came a time when we could not progress further without being born into a body and experiencing earthly life.[8]

According to Mormon beliefs, God the Father proposed a plan whereby further progression could take place, a Plan of salvation. Because agency would allow all people to fall in sin (and, in fact, scripture teaches that all people will sin), a Savior was necessary to atone for the sins of each person so that they could return to live with their Father in Heaven. Jesus volunteered to follow the plan as outlined, which preserved agency, accountability for action and the necessary result that some of Heavenly Father's children would never to return to Heavenly Father as a consequence of sin. The second volunteer, Lucifer, attempted to amend the plan by proposing that all mankind would return to Heavenly Father despite their sins - essentially, defeating agency and the divine principle of accountability for action. God the Father chose the plan that he proposed with Jesus as the Savior. Lucifer and his followers rebelled against this plan and were eventually cast out of Heaven and became Satan.[9]

[edit] Foreordination

Mormons further believe that another aspect of agency occurred during the pre-existence. Some of the spirit children of God, so exercised their agency and so conformed to God’s law as to become "noble and great". This doctrine is called "foreordination". God foreordained men to particular stations in life in order to advance His plan to lead humanity back to His presence. These were foreordained before their mortal births to perform great missions for the Lord in this life as described in the Book of Abraham in chapter 3, verses 22-23.

Mormons believe that these foreordinations were not unalterable decrees, but rather callings from God for man to perform specific missions in mortality. Even these who were foreordained for greatness could fall and transgress the laws of God. Therefore, mortality is simply a state wherein progression and testing is continued from what began in the pre-existence.

LDS doctrine states that God's plan includes the foreordination of prophets and teachers who have gifts and callings among men to teach and re-teach correct principles so that agency can be used wisely. (Jeremiah 1:5) God's plan includes the important role of parents to teach their children the path of righteousness and happiness (Deuteronomy 6:7), and the blessing of the holy scriptures to give a foundation of gospel knowledge, including the knowledge of the saving role of Jesus Christ and the importance of ordinances and covenants of the gospel.

[edit] Earth life

In essence, agency is the ability to make choices for oneself, as well as the ability to learn the difference between right and wrong and to make ethical and moral decisions. Most non-human life is not believed to possess this gift, and such life is believed to live in a state of eternal innocence.

David O. McKay, former prophet and president of the Church, stated, "It is the purpose of the Lord that man become like him. In order for man to achieve this it was necessary for the Creator first to make him free."[10] Without free agency, mortality would be useless. Men are ultimately responsible for their own destiny, through their faith and obedience to the commandments of God. "Free agency" therefore should not be interpreted to mean that actions are without consequences; "free" means that it is a gift from God and consequences must necessarily come as a result of choices made. Thus free agency and accountability are complementary and cannot be separated.

This principle holds that it is wrong to deny someone of his/her free agency unless they have (criminally) abused it to infringe against the agency of another, as it would bind a person from their own choices. Such offenses logically include crimes such as murder, rape and slavery. Furthermore, a person who prevents an individual from doing what they have been commanded to do (e.g., force them to do something they believe is wrong) will be held responsible for any offense.[11]

Throughout the 20th century, General Church leadership often equated governments led by dictatorships as being under the influence and control of Satan.[citation needed] Such statements were never presented as church doctrine, however, but rather personal opinion. For example, Ezra Taft Benson often spoke of the "evil" communist/socialist movements which threatened the free agency of mankind: "... it is realized that communism is turning out to be the earthly image of the plan which Satan presented in the preexistence. The whole program of socialistic communism is essentially a war against God and the plan of salvation-the very plan which we fought to uphold during 'the war in heaven.' [12] Once Benson became the president of the LDS Church, he refrained from such statements.

LDS doctrine teaches that many men and women since the beginning of mortal time have used their agency unwisely, limiting their own progress and their opportunity to receive light and knowledge. Beginning with Cain, some have used their agency to inflict harm, abuse, tyranny, slavery, or death upon others, contrary to the will and commandments of God.

The fact that God allows these actions does not mean that He condones them. LDS doctrine holds that agency is an eternal principle, and that God has provided the way through the atonement of Jesus Christ whereby men and women can repent of their wrongful acts of commission or of omission, and come back into the path of receiving further light and knowledge through making right choices. The atonement of Christ and the plan of compassion among men also provides a way whereby those who have been harmed by the sinful actions of others may be healed in a spiritual sense, although this may take great patience and long-suffering, and often requires the help of others.

The Pearl of Great Price, one of the scriptures of the LDS church, states that Satan, the great deceiver, sought during premortal life to destroy the agency of man (See Moses 4:3), and that he continues to seek to enslave men, women and children in whatever ways that he can in this world, to "lead them captive at his will." (Moses 4:4) LDS doctrine teaches that whatever leads in this world to enslavement, addiction, or forced behavior is ultimately instigated by Satan. God allows these conditions because of the agency He has given to man, but He expects men to overcome evil by doing good among the society in which they live. God holds men and women responsible and accountable in relation to the light and knowledge they have. Every person born into the world is given the light of Christ, also called conscience, to guide each person in choosing good from evil.[13]

LDS doctrine also holds that whenever gospel knowledge has been lost or limited among portions of mankind, this has come about because of the unrighteousness of the people and their leaders, as described by the prophet Isaiah in the Bible.

LDS leaders teach that family and societal relationships are a part of mortal life for many purposes, including the need to learn to show love, acceptance, and compassion in ways that continue to allow agency. They teach that unrighteous dominion is never acceptable to God, and that with the agency given to men is the expectation that when they marry, they will treat their wife and children with love, respect, tenderness, and material and emotional support. LDS leaders teach that men should treat women as equal partners in all decisions in the family.[14]

[edit] "Free" agency

The term free agency is commonly used, and has traditionally been interpreted as meaning that individuals have the ability to choose their actions freely. Many leaders of the LDS Church have pointed out that the term "free agency" should not be interpreted to mean that agency does not have consequences, but rather that agency is fraught with risk and choices (the result of the exercise of agency) determine eternal destination. Some church manuals avoid the term "free agency" and instead say simply "agency."[15] Some church leaders favor the term moral agency.[16]

[edit] Adam and Eve

It is said that Adam and Eve were the first of God’s children to come to Earth. They were created in God’s image, with bodies of flesh and bones. God placed them in the Garden of Eden. Here they did not remember their former existence though they were still able to enjoy God’s presence and could have lived forever.

As it is believed the Heavenly Father has blessed all of His children with the freedom to choose, Adam and Eve were given agency to make their own choices on the earth. He commanded them not to eat the forbidden fruit, or the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Obeying this commandment meant they could remain in the garden, but they could not progress by experiencing opposition in mortality. They could not know joy because they could not experience sorrow and pain. Thus, as a part of the plan, Satan was allowed to tempt Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and they chose to do so. As a consequence, they were separated from God’s presence physically and spiritually. Adam and Eve then became mortal; subject to sin and death, and were unable to return to Heavenly Father without His help. They could now experience disease and all types of suffering. They had moral agency, or the ability to choose between good and evil, which made it possible for them to learn and progress. It also made it possible for them to make wrong choices and to sin. In addition, they could now have children, so the rest of God’s spirit children could come to Earth, obtain physical bodies, and be proven. All this was in accordance with the plan of God. Only in this way could God’s children progress and become like Him. (www.lds.org.au)

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Stapley, Elder Delbert L.. "Using Our Free Agency". Ensign May 1975: 21. 
  2. ^ Abr 3:24-28
  3. ^ See Moroni 7:18-19 and D&C 88:6-7
  4. ^ See 1 Cor. 10:13, and Alma 13:28.
  5. ^ Elder Dean L. Larson journal=Ensign (May 1980). "Self-Accountability and Human Progress": 76. 
  6. ^ Stephen D. Nadauld (May 1992). "Faith and Good Works". Ensign: 82. 
  7. ^ Hebrews 12:9
  8. ^ This concept is explained at mormon.org: [1]
  9. ^ Much of this is discussed in Abr 3:22-28. Mormons also believe that Isaiah 14:12-15 refers to this incident.
  10. ^ In Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 32.
  11. ^ James Talmage, Articles of Faith
  12. ^ Ezra Taft Benson, The American Heritage of Freedom [2]</
  13. ^ Moro. 7: 18-19
  14. ^ D&C 121:34-46
  15. ^ For example, in the temple preparation manual, lesson 2 states: "Note that although the term 'free agency' is often used, the correct, scriptural term is simply 'agency' (see D&C 29:36; see also page 11 of this lesson)."
  16. ^ See, for e.g., Dallin H. Oaks, “Weightier Matters", Liahona, Mar. 2000, 15.

[edit] References