Who do You Want to Be?

Reading:   Helaman 12-16

I have been struggling with what to write today because there are three great points that I would like to touch on, one of which is common and has been heard and taught continually, the other two, not-so-much.  I have formulated thoughts concerning these other points and yet I can't get the nagging feeling out of my brain that the common lesson needs to be addressed again...I have decided not ignore the little hobbits of thought (I like that) and therefore, agency it is.

Agency, our right to choose, our gift in this probationary state called mortality...Samuel the Lamanite stood on a high wall, rocks and arrows zinging past his head and body as the crowd tried to shut him up.  He preached and preached and thorough the spirit spoke many things that The Lord wanted the wicked to hear - agency was part of this great speech!

HELAMAN 14:30-31

30    And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. 

31    He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. 

We have the right to do whatever it is we please!  Even in captivity choices can be made that are good or evil, and that means every type of captivity; idolatry, addiction, imprisonment, 40-hr work week, unemployment, even church callings can be a form of captivity if you choose to see it in that light.  You are perishing unto yourself, your choices have brought you to the place where you currently stand and if it is someone you don't recognize or like, make a change, make a choice to step away from that person and seek out the better you!

"...God hath given unto you knowledge and He hath made you free."

In the words of Danny Elfman and the classic Oingo Boingo, "Who do you want to be today?"

~Kipling