Choose Liberty and Eternal Life

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." 

Elder Ronald A. Rasband - “In our pre-earth life, we cheered for the opportunity to be part of our Father's great plan of happiness. On those days when the adversary wriggles into our hearts with doubt, fear, frustration. and contention, we may momentarily wonder about that decision. He is hoping his fiery darts will draw us off and lure us to his domain. In the war in heaven, Satan's goal was to persuade us to misuse our agency to follow him rather than our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is still at it, hoping to distract us to merely hang out, do little if anything, and certainly not worry about being on the Lord's errand. He promises us his glory. But let me tell you, his glory is nothing. He is miserable, and he wants us to be the same. He cannot promise worlds without number because he does not have any. He cannot promise a resurrected, perfect body, because he does not have one. He cannot promise that families will be forever because he gave up his place with our Father in Heaven. He cannot promise us rest or peace because he does not have that either. When the trump sounds to signal the Lord's return, Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.” 

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Transcript

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Welcome to Speak 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 central to God's plan for his children. From the beginning we were given the capacity to choose, not casually, but meaningfully, with real and eternal consequences. Lehi teaches plainly that our mortal life is shaped by this divine gift. Second Nephi two twenty seven teaches 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. As we study this verse today, along with teachings from Elder Ronald A. Rasband, we will consider what it means to choose liberty through Jesus Christ and live with purpose in him. Lehi begins by declaring that we are free according to the flesh, and that all things are given them which are expedient unto man. Agency is not theoretical or symbolic. It is embedded in our mortal condition. God has placed us in circumstances where choice is possible, meaningful and unavoidable. We are not acted upon blindly, we are participants in our own spiritual direction. This freedom is not the absence of influence or opposition. Rather, it exists precisely because we live in a world where competing voices and paths are present. Agency functions in real time, within ordinary decisions as well as defining ones. Each day presents choices that either align us more fully with God's purposes or gradually pull us away from him. Lehi's teachings helps us see that agency is not something we activate only during major spiritual moments. It is constantly in use. How we prioritize time, how we respond to temptation, how we seek the Savior, and how we approach obedience are all expressions of agency. Recognizing this helps us treat our daily decisions with appropriate seriousness, not fearfully, but deliberately. When we understand agency as a present gift rather than a distant doctrine, we begin to see our lives as purposeful. God has given us what is expedient, what is sufficient and appropriate for growth. That reality invites us to act intentionally, knowing that our choices matter now, not just eventually. Lehi is direct about the outcome of our choices. He teaches that we are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death. There is no neutral ground described here. While choices may feel small or incremental, they ultimately move us in one of two directions. Liberty and eternal life are possible only through the great mediator of all men. This phrase centers Jesus Christ as the source of true freedom. Liberty is not merely independence or self destruction, it is deliverance from sin, guilt, and spiritual death. Eternal life is not simply continuation, it is life with God, shaped by his presence and perfected through Christ. On the other hand, captivity is described as being according to the captivity and power of the devil. This captivity often begins subtly. It may look like distraction, complacency, or spiritual neglect. Over time it narrows perspective and weakens desire for righteousness. Lehi explains the motivation behind this path plainly. The devil seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. Understanding this contrast clarifies why agency matters so deeply. Choices are not isolated or morally neutral, they are directional. Seeing agency through this lint encourages us to evaluate not only what we are choosing but where those choices are leading us. Elder Ronald A. Rasbund expands on Lehi's teachings by helping us see how agency is actively contested, he teaches. In our pre earth life, we cheered for the opportunity to be part of Father's great plan of happiness. On those days when the adversary wriggles into our hearts with doubt, fear, frustration, and contention, we may momentarily wonder about that decision. He is hoping his fiery darts will draw us off and lure us to his domain. In the war in heaven, Satan's goal was to persuade us to misuse our agency, to follow him rather than our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ. He is still at it, hoping to distract us to merely hang out, do little if anything, and certainly not worried about being on the Lord's errand. He promises us his glory. But let me tell you his glory is nothing. He is miserable and he wants us to be the same. He cannot promise worlds without number because he does not have any. He cannot promise a resurrected perfect body because he does not have one. He cannot promise that families will be forever, because he gave up his place with our Father in heaven. He cannot promise us rest or peace, because he does not have that either. When the trump sounds to signal the Lord's return, Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men. This teaching clarifies that Satan's strategy is not always overt rebellion. Often it is quiet disengagement. The goal is not always to provoke dramatic sin, but to duel spiritual urgency and weaken commitment. By encouraging inactivity or spiritual apathy, agency is misused, not eliminated, but redirected. Elder Rasmin also exposes the emptiness of Satan's promises. Everything Satan claims to offer, glory, peace, fulfillment is something he does not possess. In contrast, everything God promises is real, eternal, and secured through Jesus Christ. This contrast reinforces Lehi's teaching. One path leads to liberty and life, the other leads to captivity and misery. Lehi's teaching and Elder Raspan's counsel invite us to examine how we are using our agency today, not in abstract terms, but in true living practice. Agency is revealed in patterns, what we repeatedly choose, prioritize, and pursue. Choosing liberty often looks quiet and consistent. It shows up in choosing repentance over justification, devotion over distraction, and trust over fear. It includes choosing to stay engaged spiritually even when motivation feels low or answers feel delayed. These choices repeated over time strengthen freedom rather than diminish it. Captivity, by contrast, often begins with neglect. It grows when spiritual practices become optional, when urgency fades and when we settle into passivity. Recognizing this helps us respond early, choosing reengagement rather than resignation. Today's application is not about perfection but direction. We're invited to consciously align our choices with the Savior, trusting that He truly is the mediator who makes liberty possible. As we do so, agency becomes not a burden, but a blessing that leads us closer to God. So here is today's challenge. Today take one deliberate step that reflects a choice for liberty through Jesus Christ. Identify one area where distraction or passivity has crept in and choose an action that reorients that pattern through prayer, scripture study, repentance or service. Let that choice be intentional and conscious, reflecting your desire to choose life and freedom in Christ. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps us draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please do not let this podcast be your only scripture time today. As we open the scriptures for ourselves, the Spirit will teach us things no podcast ever could. If you are exploring the truths of the Book of Mormon for the first time, you can receive a free copy using the link in the description found in every episode of Seek This Jesus. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help us stay focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.