Agency Rooted in Christ

2 Nephi 2:16 - "Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other."

Elder Dale G. Renlund - "Indeed, God desires, expects, and directs that each of His children choose for himself or herself. He will not force us. Through the gift of agency, God permits His children 'to act for themselves and not to be acted upon.' Agency allows us to choose to get on the path, or not. It allows us to get off, or not. Just as we cannot be forced to obey, we cannot be forced to disobey. No one can, without our cooperation, take us off the path."

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:12

Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps. Agency is one of the greatest gifts God has given his children. It defines our mortal experience and shapes our eternal destiny. As we study this verse today, along with the teachings from Elder Del G. Rinland, we will consider what it means to act for ourselves, recognize enticement clearly, and live with purpose in Jesus Christ. Lehi teaches plainly that agency is not self created. It is not something humanity developed on its own. It is a divine gift that originates with God and is made meaningful through Jesus Christ. Second Nephi two sixteen states Wherefore the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. This verse establishes two critical truths. First, agency is given by God. It is not an inherent human right that exists independently of him. Second, agency only functions when there are influences pulling us in different directions. Without enticement, there would be no action and no meaningful choice. Christ is the source that makes agency possible. Through him, we are not merely acted upon by circumstances, instinct or pressure. We are empowered to choose deliberately. Agency allows us to act with purpose rather than drift passively through life. Lehi's words also clarify that agency is not the absence of influence. We are always being influenced. The question is never whether we are influenced, but which influence we will follow. Agency exists so that we can choose between those influences with awareness and accountability. Lehi teaches that action requires enticement. That word matters. To entice means to lure or tempt someone by offering something appealing. It is not hidden or accidental. Enticement is direct and recognizable. When a company wants to hire someone, it does not conceal its intentions. It highlights salary, benefits, and opportunities. The offer is clear. In the same way, spiritual enticement is not mysterious. We know when something is pulling us toward Christ, and we know when something is pulling us away from him. This understanding corrects a common misunderstanding about temptation. Temptation is often assumed to be deceptive or confusing. But Lehi's teaching suggests otherwise. Enticement works because it presents something desirable, not because it disguises itself as righteousness. Because of the light of Christ and for those who have it the Holy Ghost, we are not left without discernment. We can recognize the source and direction of enticement. We are capable of knowing whether choice draws us closer to Jesus Christ or distances us from Him. Agency then is not exercised in ignorance. It is exercised with light. We are accountable precisely because we are capable of recognizing the influences acting upon us. Eltrel Giren reinforced this principle by teaching that agency requires freedom, not compulsion. God desires righteous choices, but he will never override agency to obtain them. Let's listen in.

SPEAKER_00 4:32

Indeed, God desires, expects, and directs that each of his children choose for himself or herself. He will not force us. Through the gift of agency, God permits his children to act for themselves and not to be acted upon. Agency allows us to choose to get on the path or not. It allows us to get off or not. Just as we cannot be forced to obey, we cannot be forced to disobey. No one can, without our cooperation, take us off the path.

SPEAKER_01 5:09

This teaching clarifies an important balance. God actively teaches, invites, and directs, but he never coerces. Agency allows us to choose to begin the covenant path, and it allows us to step away from it. Neither choice can be forced. Just as importantly, Elder Renlin teaches that we cannot be forced to disobey. Temptation has power only to the degree that we cooperate with it. No influence, no matter how persistent, can remove us from the path without our consent. This reinforces Lehi's teaching that agency is active, not passive. We are not victims of circumstance or temptation. We are participants in our spiritual direction. Understanding agency changes how we respond to daily decisions. If enticement is recognizable, then responsibility follows naturally. We cannot claim confusion when choices are clear. We cannot attribute our direction solely to outside forces. Agency invites us to pause and ask, What is this influence inviting me to become? Is it drawing us closer to Christ or pulling us away from him? Recognizing that Christ is the source of agency also reframes obedience. Obedience is not the surrender of freedom, it is the exercise of freedom in alignment with truth. Choosing Christ is not losing agency. It is using it as God intended. Each day presents invitations. Some lead toward growth, repentance, and light. Others promise comfort, control, or ease at the cost of spiritual distance. Agency empowers us to choose deliberately rather than react instinctively. So here is today's challenge. Pay attention to the enticements you recognize today. Instead of focusing on how strong they feel, focus on where they lead. But choose one moment to consciously act rather than be acted upon by choosing what draws you closer to Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Please, don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures, because when you study God's word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.