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Agency, or the power to choose, was ours as spirit…

“Agency, or the power to choose, was ours as spirit children of our Creator before the world was. It is a gift from God, nearly as precious as life itself. Often, however, agency is misunderstood. While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to the consequence of those…” quote by Russell M. Nelson
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“Agency, or the power to choose, was ours as spirit children of our Creator before the world was. It is a gift from God, nearly as precious as life itself. Often, however, agency is misunderstood. While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to the consequence of those choices. We are free to take drugs or not. But once we choose to use a habit-forming drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose.”

Russell M. Nelson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human beings possess the divine ability to choose, but each choice binds them to its outcomes, especially harmful habits that erode future freedom.

In simple terms: Choice is a gift that carries responsibility and consequences.

Key Takeaway

Recognize freedom’s cost and choose wisely.

Themes

freeedom responsibility consequence addiction spirituality

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • Personal decisions
  • substance use
  • ethical dilemmas
  • spiritual growth

Key Concepts

Divine agency moral accountability habit formation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do external influences shape our perceived freedom?
  • What safeguards can protect against harmful choices?
A Different Perspective

The quote assumes all choices are equally informed, ignoring systemic pressures.

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