Well Stacy everyone is in the same boat to one degree or another. We too
often talk about our freedom without ever considering what that would mean
in an absolute sense.
True perfect freedom only comes with perfect knowledge and understanding.
When we have anything less our complete freedom suffers.
George
- Original Message -
From: Stacy Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 2:35 PM
Subject: Re: [ZION] freedom versus free agency
Who is really free? I don't consider myself free. Freedom has become a
silly joke in my case. Everyone always wants to know where I'm going,
when
I'll be back, even what I eat.
Stacy.
At 09:31 AM 09/01/2003 -0600, you wrote:
Although I concur with your comments I find the use of the term Free
Agency to be a poor choice of words. Notwithstanding it has become a
popular term in the church. Rather the idea of Moral Agency is the more
useful and I believe correct term.
Freedom is a part of Moral Agency, but only a part. Intelligent action
based on an understanding of God's will and the consequences of action is
also a crucial part of Agency.
You are correct when you identify the tremendous barriers, in this life,
to
a proper use of this crucial and eternal principle. I do not believe
that
it is possible to truly exercise perfect agency in this life - for
anyone,
although some have a better opportunity than others. The last chance we
had
to excursive perfect agency was in the pre-existence in the presence of
God.
That is why that choice was so crucial - it set the stage for all that
happened subsequently.
George
- Original Message -
From: Jim Cobabe [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 3:16 AM
Subject: [ZION] freedom versus free agency
Free agency is an inviolable gift from Heavenly Father. Each of us
has
absolute free agency to make choices for good or evil.
Our freedom, on the other hand, is constantly subjected to bounds and
conditions and restrictions. Our freedom is constrained by natural
laws, by self-imposed restrictions, by the impositions of other
individuals, and by society in general.
What is the effect of free agency in the absence of absolute freedom?
What if government laws constrain my free exercise of choice? Perhaps
Heavenly Father will judge my decisions based on what I would have
done
had I been completely free to act.
In 2 Nephi 2:16, we read that enticement is a necessary element in our
decision-making exercise of free agency. What does it mean to be
enticed in choosing between good and evil? Is the test of mortal
probation in part intended to demonstrate (to myself) which choices
are
most enticing or attractive to me personally? I assume that
Heavenly
Father already knew my inclination toward good or evil choices, but
that
it was something I needed to learn for myself.
---
Jim Cobabe
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