"Free Agency"
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:53 pm
we used to say “free agency,” but in recent years, we have received helpful instruction regarding agency and freedom. i think this is a challenging topic, because the words seem to be used interchangeably by the prophets.
in 1987, elder oaks taught about the difference between agency and freedom. agency is the power to choose. agency cannot be taken away in mortality. freedom is the power to act upon choices. freedom can be taken away in mortality, by physical laws, by our own action, or by the action of others, including governments.
in 1992, president packer taught that the phrase “free agency” does not appear in scripture.
in 2003, president uchtdorf taught that there is actually no “free” agency. agency has a price. we must pay the consequences of our choices. agency was purchased with the price of Christ’s suffering.
in 2006, elder christofferson taught: “In years past, we generally used the term free agency. That is not incorrect, but more recently we have taken note that free agency does not appear as an expression in the scriptures.” he taught that the word "agency" appears in the scriptures only by itself, or with the modifier, “moral.” when we use the term “moral agency,” rather than “free agency,” we emphasize the accountability that comes with agency. he also taught that moral agency has three elements: 1. alternatives (or, opposition); 2. knowledge of the alternatives; and 3. freedom to make choices.
so, it seems that freedom is an element of, but not the same as, agency, and we should probably not use the term “free agency” anymore, to avoid misunderstanding. please feel free to correct me.
in 1987, elder oaks taught about the difference between agency and freedom. agency is the power to choose. agency cannot be taken away in mortality. freedom is the power to act upon choices. freedom can be taken away in mortality, by physical laws, by our own action, or by the action of others, including governments.
in 1992, president packer taught that the phrase “free agency” does not appear in scripture.
in 2003, president uchtdorf taught that there is actually no “free” agency. agency has a price. we must pay the consequences of our choices. agency was purchased with the price of Christ’s suffering.
in 2006, elder christofferson taught: “In years past, we generally used the term free agency. That is not incorrect, but more recently we have taken note that free agency does not appear as an expression in the scriptures.” he taught that the word "agency" appears in the scriptures only by itself, or with the modifier, “moral.” when we use the term “moral agency,” rather than “free agency,” we emphasize the accountability that comes with agency. he also taught that moral agency has three elements: 1. alternatives (or, opposition); 2. knowledge of the alternatives; and 3. freedom to make choices.
so, it seems that freedom is an element of, but not the same as, agency, and we should probably not use the term “free agency” anymore, to avoid misunderstanding. please feel free to correct me.