The last few weeks I’ve thought a lot about individual freedom. It may have been the upcoming presidential election that started my train of thought. I don’t even remember now. As I thought about it, some things happened in my life that made me delve into the subject in greater depth.
How important is individual freedom?
“Adam fell that man might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” 2 Nephi 2:25
Being joyful requires work. What gives us joy is following the path that God has chosen for us. I’ve had joy in my life, and sometimes have taken it for granted. Recently, because of circumstances around me, joy was squelched for a time. I almost gave up doing something that gives me great joy. Everywhere I turned, there seemed to be naysayers trying to convince me that what I was doing was not of worth. It wasn’t until I voiced my thoughts about giving up that my support system reminded me that I’m not a quitter. That prompted me to do some homework. After much prayer, scripture reading, and pondering, I realized that quitting was not only taking the easy way out, but it was denying the path that had already been confirmed by the Spirit.
It is my choice to listen to the naysayers, or to follow Heavenly Father’s path for me. Freedom to choose (agency) is crucial to Heavenly Father’s plan. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me specifically, and I’ve been given an opportunity at this juncture in my life to follow a path that will lead me to what I’m supposed to do for Him. I’ve prayed (again) and been given confirmation (again) of what I’m to do.
Agency isn’t just a matter of choosing right from wrong. Sometimes it is a choice between following the Spirit, and listening to voices around me who say that what I am doing is of no worth. To find real joy, I must make choices by following the Spirit. Choosing another path might even result in living an honorable life — but if it is not what Heavenly Father wants for me, then there will be no joy.
“And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.” 2 Nephi 2:26
Free forever – what a wonderful gift! I’m free to act for myself and not to be acted upon. That’s what I almost let happen. I almost let the naysayers act upon me and my life. I almost let Heavenly Father’s plan for me slip through my fingers because of those who would act upon my life. I’m free to choose to act for myself or to be acted upon. It is my responsibility to make the hard choices – even when they hurt for a time – in order to stay on the course that is set for me. If I do that, there will be great joy.
So how important is individual freedom? It was important enough that Heavenly Father gave His only begotten Son so that I might have freedom to choose – not only right from wrong, good from evil, but His path over the trail that others would have me walk.
