It's My Choice (Agency)

"We tend to think of agency as a personal matter. If we ask someone to define 'moral agency,' the answer will probably be something like this: 'Moral agency means I am free to make choices for myself.' Often overlooked is the fact that choices have consequences; we forget also that agency offers the same privilege of choice to others. At times we will be affected  adversely by the way other people choose to exercise their agency. Our Heavenly Father feels so strongly about protecting our agency that he allows his children to exercise it, either for good or for evil." Elder Ballard, Answers to Life's Questions, Ensign May 1995.

"Certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else." Elder Bednar, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, Ensign Nov. 2006

"With His gift of moral agency, our Heavenly Father has graciously provided us help to exercise that agency in a way that will yield precious, positive fruit in our life here and hereafter." Elder Chirstofferson, Moral Agency. June 2009 Ensign, taken from a BYU Devotional from 2006.

"Joy and happiness come from living the way the Lord wants you to live and from service to God and others." President Monson, Standards of Strength

"We are surrounded by the messages of the adversary: “Just this once won’t matter.” “Don’t worry; no one will know.” Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny." President Monson, Decide Right Now. March 2012 Liahona.

"Although the devil laughs, his power is limited. Some may remember the old adage: “The devil made me do it.” Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. ²⁰ Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior." Elder Nelson To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency. April 2006 General Conference.

"Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance."

—Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Liahona and Ensign, November 2009

"We have implanted in our souls a desire to be free. The Lord understood this when He granted us our mortal probation. With that freedom, however, comes accountability. We are instructed not to idle away our time nor bury our talents and not use them. We are expected to make our lives better through our own initiatives and efforts."

—L. Tom Perry, "Youth of the Noble Birthright", Ensign, November 1998

“Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. … Agency permits us to make faithful, obedient choices that strengthen us so that we can lift and strengthen others.”

—Robert D. Hales “To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency,” Ensign, May 2006

"...may we be filled with gratitude for the right of choice, accept the responsibility of choice, and ever be conscious of the results of choice. President Monson The Three Rs of Choice. Ocotber 2010.