--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were given our agency. We must use it…" description: "\"We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/boyd-k-packer-1854_adversaries_we-were-given-our-agency-we-must-use-it_867563.png" --- # We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain… ![“We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary.” quote by Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/boyd-k-packer-1854_adversaries_we-were-given-our-agency-we-must-use-it_867563.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/boyd-k-packer-1854_adversaries_we-were-given-our-agency-we-must-use-it_867563.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/boyd-k-packer-1854_adversaries_we-were-given-our-agency-we-must-use-it_867563.png) > “We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary.” [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Individuals have free will and must stay spiritually aligned, avoiding temptations. **In simple terms:** Use agency wisely and stay close to spiritual guidance. Key Takeaway Seek spiritual discipline and discernment. Themes spirituality agency temptation discipline Mood hopeful inspirational Type religious philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - ethical dilemmas - religious practice Key Concepts free will morality faith Questions to Reflect On - How do you discern spiritual guidance? - What habits protect against moral compromise? A Different Perspective Temptations are pervasive and subtle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) [Adversary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversary/) [Enticement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enticement/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [One of the adversary's sharpest tools is to convince us that we are no longer worthy to pray. No matter who you are or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/one-of-the-adversary-s-sharpest-tools-is-to-convince-us-that-we-are/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“It is not likely that you will ever have a personal encounter with the adversary; he does not show himself that way. But even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/it-is-not-likely-that-you-will-ever-have-a-personal-encounter-with/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [There is no allurement or enticement, actual or imaginary, which a well-disciplined mind may not surmount. The wish to resist more than half accomplishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-dacre/there-is-no-allurement-or-enticement-actual-or-imaginary-which-a-well/) Charlotte Dacre > [“Lengo la jina la kitabu ni kuishawishi hadhira kusoma dibaji, na lengo la dibaji ni kuishawishi hadhira kusoma salio la kitabu kizima.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/lengo-la-jina-la-kitabu-ni-kuishawishi-hadhira-kusoma-dibaji-na-lengo/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [“The air was full of human essence, of artificial enticement, of coquetry, indolence, pleasure—the man-made sense of existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-henry/the-air-was-full-of-human-essence-of-artificial-enticement-of/) [O. Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-henry/) > [Imprudent restrictions often force youth farther than enticement would carry them; and careless limitation is frequently worse than no injunction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/imprudent-restrictions-often-force-youth-farther-than-enticement/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Vice never leads to virtue. Hate never promotes love. Cowardice never gives courage. Doubt never inspires faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/vice-never-leads-to-virtue-hate-never-promotes-love-cowardice-never/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [A meal can be thought of as a ritual and a work of art, with limits laid down, desires aroused and fulfilled, enticements, variety,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-visser/a-meal-can-be-thought-of-as-a-ritual-and-a-work-of-art-with-limits/) [Margaret Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-visser/) > [Kids not only need to read a lot but they need lots of books they can read right at their fingertips.They also need access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allington/kids-not-only-need-to-read-a-lot-but-they-need-lots-of-books-they-can/) [Richard Allington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allington/) > [Having observed the forces of all things natural and celestial and having examined by painstaking investigation the sympathy among those things, brings into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giambattista-della-porta/having-observed-the-forces-of-all-things-natural-and-celestial-and/) Giambattista della Porta > [“I am not sure that the best way to make a boy love the English poets might not be forbid him to read them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/i-am-not-sure-that-the-best-way-to-make-a-boy-love-the-english-poets/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“Why do you smell like cinnamon?" "All the better to entice you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/why-do-you-smell-like-cinnamon-all-the-better-to-entice-you/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [In a corporate context, companies have to try very hard to oppose the enticements of conventional wisdom. They must aim for the leaps, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/in-a-corporate-context-companies-have-to-try-very-hard-to-oppose-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [It is not difficult to conceive, however, that for many reasons a man writes much better than he lives. For without entering into refined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-not-difficult-to-conceive-however-that-for-many-reasons-a-man/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“We can end this before anyone gets hurt." William held his hands out to sides as if to show her he was unarmed. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/we-can-end-this-before-anyone-gets-hurt-william-held-his-hands-out-to/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) ## More by Boyd K. Packer > [Faith is the power, obedience the sacrifice, love the means, Christ the reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/faith-is-the-power-obedience-the-sacrifice-love-the-means-christ-the/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/dispute-not-because-ye-see-not-for-ye-receive-no-witness-until-after/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/take-hold-of-your-life-and-order-yourself-to-be-valiant/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“I often ask the Lord for direction from Him. I will not, however, willingly accept promptings from any unworthy source. I refuse them. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/i-often-ask-the-lord-for-direction-from-him-i-will-not-however/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Happily ever after never happens in the second act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/happily-ever-after-never-happens-in-the-second-act/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Inherent in the ordination to be bishop is both the right and the obligation to be directed by inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/inherent-in-the-ordination-to-be-bishop-is-both-the-right-and-the/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [You ought to know that the Lord loves you. He will make that known to you, and it will be a very private and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/you-ought-to-know-that-the-lord-loves-you-he-will-make-that-known-to/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children. It is within this wondrous gift and power that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost-operates-equally-with-men-women-and-even/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Do you realize how marvelous it is that you can call upon the Atonement? The Lord effected the Atonement for our sakes. And there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/do-you-realize-how-marvelous-it-is-that-you-can-call-upon-the/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Those who choose, conduct, present, and accompany the music may influence the spirit of reverence ... more than a speaker does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/those-who-choose-conduct-present-and-accompany-the-music-may/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [I know that God is our Father. He introduced His Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. I declare to you that I know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/i-know-that-god-is-our-father-he-introduced-his-son-jesus-christ-to/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [The answer is the same for everyone: we must, and we can, resist temptations of any kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/the-answer-is-the-same-for-everyone-we-must-and-we-can-resist/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [No teaching is equal, more spiritually rewarding, or more exalting than that of a mother teaching her children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/no-teaching-is-equal-more-spiritually-rewarding-or-more-exalting-than/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [There are spiritual and physical laws to obey if we are to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/there-are-spiritual-and-physical-laws-to-obey-if-we-are-to-be-happy/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“Don't worry about politics or people. You just please the Lord. He has little trouble with His servants' being too strong. Most of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/don-t-worry-about-politics-or-people-you-just-please-the-lord-he-has/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) [Explore all 203 Boyd K. Packer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) ## More Adversaries quotes > [In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-all-matters-of-opinion-our-adversaries-are-insane/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Inanimate objects are sometimes parties to litigation. A ship has a legal personality, a fiction found useful for maritime purposes. The corporation sole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/inanimate-objects-are-sometimes-parties-to-litigation-a-ship-has-a/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [There were various aspects of Sun Tzu's approach that appealed to Ho Chi Minh: a) to learn to understand both the enemy and yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/there-were-various-aspects-of-sun-tzu-s-approach-that-appealed-to-ho/) [William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) > [Marriage, in my view, should be a balanced stalemate between equal adversaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/marriage-in-my-view-should-be-a-balanced-stalemate-between-equal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power-plants-but-they-did-target/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [It's like I'm married to the silencer, Until I file for divorce and release my ex-calibers. Do art with your arteries, place that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/it-s-like-i-m-married-to-the-silencer-until-i-file-for-divorce-and/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/educational-exchange-can-turn-nations-into-people-contributing-as-no/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Obama is hardly the first president to seek rapprochement with our adversaries and reconciliation with our enemies, of course. But his determination to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-f-hayes/obama-is-hardly-the-first-president-to-seek-rapprochement-with-our/) [Stephen F. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-f-hayes/) > [It is better to make friends than adversaries of a conquered race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/it-is-better-to-make-friends-than-adversaries-of-a-conquered-race/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [“The most courageous act in politics is to try to understand your opponent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-most-courageous-act-in-politics-is-to-try-to-understand-your/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Often GOP political strategy seems like the human wave theory of the Chinese military translated to politics. Where Beijing uses masses of soldiers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-morris/often-gop-political-strategy-seems-like-the-human-wave-theory-of-the/) [Dick Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-morris/) > [Our ability to fall in love requires enough comfort with our masculinity to join it with someone's femininity and feel enhanced. .. . If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/our-ability-to-fall-in-love-requires-enough-comfort-with-our/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [You negotiate in bad faith if you do not forgive your adversary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/you-negotiate-in-bad-faith-if-you-do-not-forgive-your-adversary/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-should-seek-after-spiritual-gifts-they-can-lead-us-to-god-they-can/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) [Browse all 446 Adversaries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Boyd K. 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