AGENCY

 

“Despite great efforts to do so, no one has been able to cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. So why doesn’t everybody believe in its divine origins? Because God does not allow the case to become so compelling that we are forced to believe. Man’s agency is too fundamental to be so compromised.” (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Believing Heart” p 27)

I have always believed that our freedom to choose was God given out of His respect for us but there is so much more to it than that. I have been impressed by His restraint in seeing so many of us make so many foolish choices. One would almost wish He would interfere to the point of compelling us to believe in the Gospel and especially, in salvation through His Son. But there is a very good reason for His restraint and once again, it is for the good of us, His children. In fact, Elder Hafen points out: “It was all part of a plan carefully and deliberately designed NOT TO COMPEL BELIEF.” (ibid p 6)

This is the very first reason why man’s agency is too fundamental to be compromised: “Hugh Nibley has described this principle as the “policy of reticence”, which the Lord has always followed “to protect sacred things from common misunderstandings and to protect the unworthy from damaging themselves with them.” (ibid p 6)

Instead of compelling us to believe, God has given us the principle of “line upon line, precept upon precept”, in other words, God gives us what and when we are ready to hear, for our   protection, because we are tried on what we know and understand (D&C 98:12).

The second and more important reason is this: “A key reason for the Lord’s unwillingness to compel our belief is suggested by those scriptural phrases about doing the will of the Father and “receiving him”. Something happens to people who receive him – who do his will. They learn. They develop Christlike capacities and skills beyond the reach of other people.

“Following his will changes them. These changes do not occur within the lives of those who merely see the sign or hear the word. Such changes in character and spirit also do not happen without our active, voluntary participation. Thus by being believing, by receiving the Lord, and by following him, the process of becoming LIKE HIM is set into motion. That is a point he does not want us to miss.”  (ibid 7)

I am beginning to think that our most pressing priority in life should be coming to know God. The more we know Him, the more we will yearn to be with Him. I know people who have no desire to know Him and because they do not know Him, they do not love Him. It’s the greatest tragedy that they will get through this life without experiencing the greatest love of all.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: The Everlasting God by Spencer Rasmussen)