The Constitution and the Eternal Principle of Agency

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to feel the Spirit guiding us in our callings—whether we are preparing for a mission, serving in a local ward, or simply trying to be better disciples in our daily lives—it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate tasks. We focus on the next meeting, the next lesson, the next transfer. But sometimes, we need to zoom out and remember the bedrock principles that support the entire structure of our lives and our covenants.

Recently, I was reflecting on an address by President Ezra Taft Benson regarding the Constitution. While the talk was deeply rooted in American civic life, what truly resonated with me, and what I want us to carry forward into our own lives as disciples, was the constant return to the fundamental principle of agency.

Agency: The Untrammeled Choice

President Benson taught that the central issue in the premortal council was whether God’s children would have untrammeled agency, or if they would be coerced. He taught that Christ and those who followed Him stood for freedom of choice, while Satan stood for coercion. That conflict, he noted, is not over; it continues on the battlefield of mortality.

This is a profound thought, isn't it? That the war for our agency is ongoing. And what are the modern manifestations of that battle? Benson pointed to earthly governments attempting to restrict that freedom. It makes you pause and consider what it means, in our personal lives, to exercise that agency in a Christlike manner.

Being a Disciple in the Modern Field

For us, as rogue disciples, this concept of agency is the very heartbeat of our calling. We are called to be internet missionaries, to be disciples anywhere, all the time. We cannot wait for a formal setting—a mission field, a temple, a specific conference—to exercise our agency. Our agency is exercised when we choose to study the scriptures, when we choose to speak the truth in a difficult conversation, and when we choose to keep the commandments even when no one is watching.

When we think about preparing for the field, or even just strengthening our testimony before a missionary discussion, it’s not just about memorizing answers. It’s about cultivating the *will* to choose good, moment by moment. It’s about understanding that our capacity to choose—our agency—is the divine gift we must steward.

"I believe that no government can exist in peace except such laws are framed and held in view as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience."

This principle—the sanctity of conscience and the right to choose—is something we must defend and uphold in our hearts. It requires us to be diligent students of the gospel, to study the Book of Mormon, to engage in the social scripture study within LivingBook, and to continually refine our testimonies.

A Bite of Mission Prep: Defending Agency

If you are feeling the weight of preparing for the field, or even just wanting to strengthen your testimony for your local ward, here is a small skill I want to share. When discussing agency, don't just define it; illustrate it. Instead of saying, "Agency is the ability to choose," try framing it around a small, personal choice you recently made that required faith. For example: "When I was struggling with X, I felt tempted to give up, but I chose instead to pray and trust the Spirit. That choice was my agency at work." That makes the eternal principle tangible.

I encourage you to take this principle—the sacredness of choice—and meditate on it this week. Consider what choices you are making right now that are strengthening your agency, and what choices might be subtly restricting it. Let the Spirit guide your focus.

If you want to dig deeper into the foundational principles that guide our lives, I highly recommend checking out the latest Book Club topic in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to study foundational texts with other committed disciples. For those who prefer a more structured, one-on-one deep dive into tough questions, remember that Davee is ready to walk you through those hard questions an investigator might ask using his AI Investigator role. He’s a wonderful resource for sharpening those missionary discussions!

Keep striving to be disciples everywhere. The Lord blesses those who are always ready.