Freedom to choose

If we were given a choice to follow Jehovah's plan and gain a mortal experience, then it is fairly safe to say that we have always been given the freedom to choose by a loving Father, even before we made that final premortal choice.  He understands the deep value of that freedom, and that it is the only way we can learn and grow.  Therefore, shouldn't we pursue the same freedom every day? Shouldn't we allow others the same freedom - to choose for themselves rather than impose on their decisions and perhaps inhibit their personal growth by doing so? Shouldn't we, as a nation, encourage the freedom to choose for ourselves rather than govern the will and desire of every man? Of course, there must be government, laws, rules and regulations, but how can we assure ourselves free agency while enforcing necessary laws?  God is the great example of enforcing His laws with consequences for good or evil, based upon the choice we make. Those negative consequences are the very reason we have such a strong desire to take agency away - for if those we love cannot choose wrongly, we can save them from certain pain, grief, and even death.  But how can they ever learn the difference between good and bad, joy and pain, if they never choose the path that results in negative consequences?  

We have all chosen wisely, and equally as important, we have all chosen poorly, reaping the benefits or suffering the sorrow, feeling the highest of highs and the lowest of lows; the good vs. bad. It started very early, with simple choices, and progresses the rest of our lives with more complicated choices. Regardless of the choice we make, there is a natural consequence, some with spiritual consequences.  Many times we experience the consequence of someone else's choice(s), receiving great blessings in some cases, and being sent to the depths of despair in others. 

It is clear that agency, the freedom to choose, has an enormous effect on our lives and the lives of those around us. Why is it so crucial that we are able to choose? There may be a complicated answer, but to me it is simple: we must know what it feels like to choose one way so that we can experience the opposite when we choose the other way.  We must know what it feels like to get hurt, so that we know what it's like to feel loved.  We must be sick to enjoy our health; we must endure pain in order to appreciate joy; we must receive injury or we will never know what it feels like to heal. This is a great gift that we can choose to use to our advantage, or to our detriment. Many Latter-Day Saints wear rings declaring "CTR", like the shield shown at the top of this post. "CTR" is an acronym for "Choose the Right". This simple ring is given to every child who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to help them to remember to make good choices every day, in all the things they do. Many adults sport grown-up versions in gold, sterling silver, etc., to continue to remind them of their duty to choose the right way rather than the wrong way. 

Because of my countless mistakes, bad choices, uniformed decisions, and many sins, I am able to look back and choose differently based on the consequences I endured. I know not to spend too much money on needless things as well as I know not to touch a hot stove. I know that I need to spend all the quality time with my children that I can, while they are yet young, as well as I know to change the oil in my car.  How do I know?  I've not had money for basic groceries because my car payment was too high; I've burned myself on several hot stoves; I've worked too hard and missed an entire summer of fun with my kids; I've sent a perfectly good vehicle to the dump, on more occasions than one! Would you believe three?  What have I learned?  To buy an older car; NOT to touch a stove without testing it first; that I can work the rest of my life...I only have a few short years with my children; that luxuries and necessities alike require much maintenance and care, money and time, so I better be able to take care of what I have, or I may lose it. 

Unfortunately, I continue to make mistakes repeatedly.  All I can do is work on it and try to make myself better by choosing better, but I don't have to do it on my own. A greater gift has been given us.  Because we are mortal, we will continue to make mistakes, to the day we die.  Only one person has lived on this Earth in perfection - our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and because of Him, our transgressions and sins have been paid for. But does that mean we are free to sin, since He has already paid the price?  That's for another post...The Atonement.