By the second talk in the Sunday Morning Session, we'd already heard three talks on listening to and following what the prophets and apostles tell us, and three talks about agency. Since the arguments about Prop 8, I have seen many LDS friends talk (usually on Facebook) about how they support same-sex marriage, and disagree with the Church on what they have taught about it. I don't know if they believe that at some point, the Church will change their position and say that same-sex marriage is now morally okay. But if so, I think this weekend dispelled that belief. President Boyd K. Packer didn't speak about it specifically, but I think it was clear - he said that even if you put morality to a vote, it won't change anything in the eyes of God.
Pres. Packer also spoke extensively on our own agency. The arguments for any kind of wickedness rely heavily on the idea that there is no agency - we are all victims of circumstance, and should not be expected to act against our basic instincts. We were born this way, and we can't help it.
Many think we have limited or no ability to control our own actions, nor should we have to. But isn't that the purpose of our civilization? Of our laws? Trying to show that we're better than the animals? That we CAN choose? That we have agency? That we can actually have humanity?
Those who believe there is no agency have been lied to:
"And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none - and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance." 2 Ne. 28:22
I declare with the prophets that there IS a God. He loves us and wants us to return home to Him. He has blessed us with agency, and we are free to choose whatever path we will.
"Wherefore, 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, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." -2 Ne. 2:27
2 comments:
Amen! Favorite story from the talks on agency: "I know how we can tell if it's a boy kitty or a girl kitty...We can vote on it!" haha So simple and so profound. I agree with you about Agency as the theme for Conference. I listened to Thomas S. Monson's talk from Priesthood last night. He spoke with such conviction and such yearning for us to use our God-given agency wisely. Decisions really do determine destiny!
Side note: How timely that you should write your post about choices and agency which then prompted my post about agency and then general conference had the definite theme of agency. God must be telling us something, huh? CTR
Thanks for being so bold in your beliefs, Adam. I appreciate your example :)
well said. Although I feel for the people who are gay- I fully believe that it is a choice weather or not to act on their feelings. Being gay is not WHO they are, it is what they do, it is a behavior.
I know the church will never change their minds on this issue.
I believe in the prophet and the general authorities and back them 100%.
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