Being an Agent to Act

In this new video series, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reassure those who may feel unwelcome in the Church that they are loved and needed. They also encourage members to extend the hand of fellowship to others, regardless of perceived differences.

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[kormoranneu]

I am no lds, but this is a very great video....respect

[VeronicaClarkenotnaught]

You have to listen to this more than once... there's a lot in there. He reminds me so much of Maxwell.

[scottsoward]

"The greatest gift the Father gave to us is his Son, and the gift that comes to us through the Savior's atonement is agency... to act and learn from our own experiences: is the essence of mortality" Simple and beautiful.

[masham]

Having a mental illness, it is so hard to remember that I can make decisions, I can act. After remembering and realizing that, it’s then even harder to actually act, instead of just thinking about it. But when I get past that first step, I’m able to keep going.
Still, it happens over and over. It’s like I’m the baby in the video, learning over and over how to walk, but each time I forget that I’ve already learned how, or learned a lot about how. It’s like completely starting over each time I have a particularly horrible episode. Still, once I remember that trying is something I can do, I take that first step and remember all the other times I’ve learned how to do it, and I learn a little more this time.
I really needed this video today to help me through a particularly hard time. I know that I wouldn’t have gotten the help, hope, and understanding from this that I needed if it weren’t for the Holy Ghost guiding my thoughts as I listened. There were some things I understood that would never have come to mind from what was said here, had it not been for the spirit helping me make those subtle, seemingly nonexistent, connections.

[ninashaw]

Faith is a gift, we need to act first and then the power comes

[Glen.Danielsen]

Utterly priceless. These shorts give a single important gospel idea—given by one of our Called & Ordained. _This_ is things that matter most. 💛🙏🏼

[miloelite]

"If we did not have moral agency we would simply be puppets manipulated by the strings of fate."

[sdl-lds]

Couldn't have asked for a better gift on my birthday. Thanks Mormon Channel !

[compass]

I listen to what he says, ponder it and miss the next teaching. Then I rewind to hear what I missed, ponder it and miss the next teaching. It took me at least 10 minutes to watch a 3 minute video. There are prophets in our day. E. Bednar is one of them.

[paulvanbloem]

Transcript because, WOH, this is so dense and powerful!


If we did not have moral agency we would simply be puppets manipulated by the strings of fate.

In my understanding the great purpose of mortality is to learn; in ways that we could not have learned in pre-mortality. And, we learn in mortality lessons that prepare us for eternity. The natural and man and the natural woman says there is no way I’m taking this step. There is no way that I am moving into the darkness until the light moves and I can see where I am going. 

The requirement is that we take the step anticipating that when our foot hits the ground the light will move. Now the first time we do that, it’s not doubt, but there is a little bit of uncertainty, even a little bit of apprehension, which is quite normal. So it works almost like a helix where we take that first step based on the substance of things hoped for. There comes the evidence of things not seen. 

It’s not a perfect cycle thats never interrupted or that is  totally smooth. But line upon line that increases incrementally and gradually.

Now the other thing is I don’t want to talk about faith in the Savior as if its a trait, and there is a formula, and if I just follow the elements of the formula then I’m automatically going to get more. It’s a spiritual gift. But we have to be doing our part to be able to be in a position where we can receive the gift. And it always requires that act first and then the power comes. Most of the time we would like to think “well give me the power and then I will act” But the saviors gospel teaches that first we act and then the power comes. We don’t know where to go, we don’t know what to do, but my trust in him enables me to act. He blesses me with his power, that confidence increases. We then can, ultimately, navigate the most difficult circumstances in life; knowing we will never be alone, and we will always have his help. 

One of the things that is required is that we “wait upon the lord” that’s another scriptural phrase that I am drawn to all the time. The depth of the lesson is often only realized line upon line precept upon precept, over an extended period of time. 

The greatest gift that the father gave to us was His Son. And, the gift that comes to us through the Saviors Atonement is Agency. So agency is central to the Fathers Plan and it is the capacity act and learn from our own experiences. That is the very essence and purpose of being here in mortality.

[juniorkulu]

Elder Bednar. The doctrinal scriptural scholar of our day.

Reminds me so much of Elder Maxwell. You must watch more than once. There’s so much wisdom in this message. Thank you

[ShineMusiclife_channel]

For Thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory forever and ever Amen 😇🙏❤

[czcz]

I have listened to this 5 or 6 times this morning being 0255 am. Trusting in God and His love for us is number one. Taking action with Prayer and Repentance in ables us to take that first step. Now as I watch my great granddaughter take her first steps. I am blessed to know and see God's love. May I continue to grow and learn in His love. Never failing to trust in Him.

[黃巔音]

One of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father has given us is one we’re often afraid of: our agency. It’s wonderful that God doesn’t force us to do anything ... but kind of scary, too. You might think: He trusts me to do the right thing? ME??

Yes, He does. To help us reach our divine potential—which we ALL have—He nudges us in the right direction, but He doesn’t reveal everything to us. The Lord wants us to act on faith. He wants us to move forward even when we’re not totally sure what will happen. When we do, we’re rewarded with more faith, which makes the next step that much easier.

Try it and see for yourself.

[John-jh]

Heavy and TRUE!! So grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ!!

[ShineMusiclife_channel]

Almighty Father Thank You for everything Amen 😇🙏❤

[julierosales]

Love the music and the video. Goes perfectly with the topic and draws me back to listen again

[pinecone]

Amazing.
I feel the truth of what Elder Bednar is pointing out.
Thank You, God :)

[chilanga]

Beautiful, and a very important message. Thank you Elder Bednar and LDS church for sharing this video.