If we did not have moral agency, we
would simply be puppets manipulated
by the strings of fate.
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In my understanding, the great purpose of mortality
is to learn in ways we could not have learned in premortality.
And we learn in mortality lessons
that prepare us for eternity.
The natural man and the natural woman
says, "There is no way I'm taking this step.
There's no way I'm moving into the darkness
until the light moves and I can see where I'm going."
The requirement is that we take this step anticipating
that when our foot hits the ground, the light will move.
Now, the first time we do that, it's not doubt.
But there's a little bit of uncertainty,
even a little bit of apprehension,
which is quite normal.
So it works almost like a helix, where
we take that first step based on the substance of things
hoped for.
There comes the evidence of things not seen.
It's not a perfect cycle that's never interrupted
or that is totally smooth, but line
upon line, that increases incrementally and gradually.
Now, the other thing is, I don't want
to talk about faith in the Savior as if it's a trait
and there's a formula, and if I just
follow the elements of the formula,
then I'm automatically going to get more.
It's a spiritual gift.
But we have to be doing our part to be able to be in a position
where we could receive the gift.
And it always requires that we act first,
and then the power comes.
Most of the time we'd like to think, "Well, give me the power
and then I'll act."
But the Savior's gospel teaches that first we act;
then the power comes.
We don't know where to go.
We don't know what to do.
But my trust in Him enables me to act.
He blesses me with His power.
That confidence increases.
We then can ultimately navigate the most difficult
circumstances in life knowing that we will never be alone
and we will always have His help.
One of the things that is required
is that we wait upon the Lord.
That's another scriptural phrase that I'm drawn to all the time.
The depth of the lesson is often only realized line upon line,
precept upon precept, over an extended period of time.
The greatest gift that the Father gave to us was His Son.
And the gift that comes to us through the Savior's Atonement
is agency.
So agency is central to the Father's plan,
and it is the capacity to act and learn
from our own experiences.
That is the very essence and purpose
of being here in mortality.
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