Choices. Part II.

Agency. Again.

The gift God has given us to choose.

There is this scripture in the Book of Mormon. It is found in 2 Nephi 2:27. It says:
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.

A similar lesson is taught in the Bible in Deuteronomy 11:26-28  (KJV) which says:
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 
27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day;
28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

As I was thinking about this the other morning, I was thinking about that choice. The choice between liberty and eternal life or captivity and death. The choice between a blessing and a curse.

Isn't that a pretty easy choice?

If someone came up to you and gave you two keys. One key to liberty and eternal life and the other one to captivity and death, which would you choose?

I don't know about you but I would most definitely choose liberty and eternal life. I'm convinced that most of the world would also do the same.

Simple, right?

Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. The decisions we have to make aren't that obvious.

These might be some of the decisions we face every day:
Spending time on the internet or visiting a friend who is sick.
Going to church on Sunday or sleeping.
Doing your homework right now or waiting until later.
Going to a party or spending time with your family. 
Lighting up a cigarette or going on a bike ride.

It hit me that every single decision we make takes us one way or the other. Towards liberty and eternal life, or towards captivity and death.  When we are choosing between serving an elderly neighbor and taking a nap we don't think about how one decision is going to lead us to liberty and eternal life and the other one won't.

Even if one decision doesn't directly lead us to captivity and death, it defines who we are and ultimately who we will become. The decisions we make shape our destiny. The little choices are what matter most.

I know that what we choose determines who we are. I know that as you strive to make choices that lead you to liberty and eternal life that "the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges, You will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you." (For the Strength of Youth)  I know that God loves each one of His children. He has given us this wonderful gift of agency and if we use it to make righteous, good choices, we will be able to one day be welcomed into His arms and will be able to live with Him for eternity.