Agency (the freedom to choose for yourself):
Agency is a principle God has gifted us with since we lived with him in the Pre-Mortal Life. He gave us the right to choose the path we would walk in mortality. If we could never choose for our ourselves, we would remain in a state of ignorance. We would never reach our potential as sons and daughters of a living God.
Bibles references:
Old Testament:
New Testament:
Galatians 6:7: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithul, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as
his work shall be.
Book of Mormon references:
2 Nephi 2:27: 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.
Doctrine and Covenants references:
93:28: He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and
knoweth all things.
Pearl of Great Price:
Moses 3:15-17: v15. And I, the Lord God , took the man, and put him
into the Garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it.
v16. And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying:
Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,
v17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
thou thalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest
choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but,
remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest
thereof thou shalt surely die.
Joseph Smith History references: