AGENCY – RESPONSIBILITY - ACCOUNTABILITY

Having read and reread the Record of Zeniff found in the Book of Mosiah in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, I should not be surprised that my most recent reading, just as with each previous reading I once again had several questions arise, which, if not thoroughly pondered seem contradictory to one another.

Is it not true that each individual is responsible for and accountable for how they use their agency?

Is it not true that the environment in which one lives has a great influence on the choices one makes?

Is it not true that leaders and governments often have control over the choices citizens can make?

In the Record of Zeniff the following responsibility and accountability resulting from the use of agency is placed upon:

The desires of ones own heart! (Mosiah 11: 2)

Kings and priests! (Mosiah 11: 4-14, 19)

Influences of the land we inherit or choose to live in! (Mosiah 9)

Examining the main characters in these chapters seems to begin to clarify how much either parents, governments, communities or individuals are accountable and responsible for decisions being made.

Zeniff remains faithful to the Lord until his death and his people generally have a tendency to lean toward obedience.

The son of Zeniff, Noah, having grown up under the influence of goodly parents, lets wickedness rule his every choice and he rules over others wickedly.

Abinadi comes out of the wicked society which evolved under Noah and becomes such a righteous prophet that he is able to make the choice to give up his life rather than bow to the forces of evil.

Alma, who although being totally involved in Noah’s courts as one of his false priests, abandons all and becomes one of the greatest Publishers of Peace in the history of mankind.

Limhi, the son of Noah, choses to throw off all of the wicked influences of his father and leads his people back to the paths of righteousness.

Even though a quick judgement which comes when reviewing these significant characters might lead us to believe that outside influences have little or nothing to do with our personal accountability and responsibility for the choices we make, we cannot ignore the advantage or disadvantage one might have in making righteous choices because they have been blessed to be surrounded by righteous influences.

We have discussed in previous Thoughts how the Atoning Grace of the Lord covers the wrong choices of those whose circumstances leave them ignorant or who are in a state of innocence when making choices, but as for the rest of us we might be covered by our propensity to follow or ignore the Light of Christ.

Light of Christ (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints English Standard Works - Bible Dictionary – Page 275)

The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moro. 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1:4; 8:12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2; see John 1:9). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88:6–13, 41). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (Moro. 7:12–19).

We don’t have to spend very much time pondering from this point forward before we come to the realization, that except for extraordinary circumstances in which some may be born we all have been given a gift to help us make good decisions. It likewise seems that because of the gift of agency we also have the ability to diminish this light and even extinguish it.

We should all be grateful our Heavenly Father has made the Light of Christ a part of our birth process, but we must also beware that we don’t ignore this blessing and allow outside influences to dominate the use of our agency.

I have become satisfied within my own mind that responsibility and accountability reside upon the ruler of every realm of existence.

Every individual is accountable and responsible for every decision they make.

Every person who governs over or has responsibility for another is responsible for the way they minister their stewardships.

Only the Savior had sufficient power, grace and love to be able to bear the burdens of the choices others make.

Heaven is full of days which will provide each of us with opportunity to make choices influenced by the Light of Christ.

I feel that only good can come from spending some time pondering our personal use of Agency and our corresponding accountability and responsibility.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY