Wise Choices


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Wise Choices Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life. 2 Nephi 10:23

“If a person, whether knowingly, ignorantly, intentionally, or accidentally, touches a hot stove or a bare high-voltage wire, he will be burned to the extent of the exposure. If for any reason he steps in front of a rapidly moving vehicle, even to save another life, he will be injured and possibly killed. Numerous examples could be given to show that we are subject to these laws regardless of who we are or what our intentions might be. We cannot change the laws of nature. As we understand the natural laws and respect them, we can apply them to our good. If we violate law, we suffer; and if we obey it, we are blessed!” (President N. Eldon Tanner, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 117)

-We Have the Right to Make Choices and Must Accept Responsibility for Their Consequences-

“One of God’s greatest gifts to man is freedom of choice. At an early period in the journey through life, man finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose one of two great highways—the right, leading to progress and happiness; and the wrong, leading to retardation and sorrow. There exists this eternal law that each human soul, through the choices he makes, will shape his own destiny. Our success or failure, peace or discontent, happiness or misery, depends on the choices we make each day. … Recently I was talking to a young man who said, in effect, ‘I’m fed up and tired of being told, “You have to do this,” or “You have to do that.” I want to be free to decide for myself what I want to do.’ My response was, ‘You are free to choose exactly what you want to do, as long as it does not restrict or impose on the rights or liberties of others, but you must be responsible for your acts and be prepared to take the consequences’.” (President N. Eldon Tanner, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, pp. 83, 116)

-Righteous Standards and Knowledge Enable Us to Make Wise Choices-

The following is a story of a family who discovered the importance of having a guide to help them find their way: Early one morning the Olson family went to visit a large cave. As they moved through the dimly lit caverns, they listened to the guide explain the history of the cave. In one room, the lights went off. The guide said, “Do not panic; we are demonstrating total darkness for you. This is the way it would be if there were no light at all. Before I turn the lights back on, I want to try an experiment. You are now in the deepest part of the cave. How many of you think you could find your way out without lights? I want you to point in the direction you would take and keep pointing until I turn the lights back on.” When the lights were turned on, the people were all pointing in different directions. Without light to guide them, they had lost their way. “Making decisions is probably the most important thing people ever do. Nothing happens until someone makes a decision” (Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [1974], 145). For this reason it is important that we learn to make wise decisions. In order to do so, we must learn to consider all possible solutions. This includes gathering facts and assessing what the results of each possible choice will be.

President Ezra Taft Benson suggested that we use the following six questions as a guide in decision making: * * * * * *

1. Could it retard or injure spiritual or moral progress? 2. Could it create unhappy or unpeaceful memories? 3. Is it contrary to the revealed will or commandments of God? … 4. Could it harm any individual, family, or group? 5. Would the decision make [me] a better person? … 6. Could a blessing be derived from this particular action?

After considering the possible solutions and their consequences, we must select the solution we feel is best. This is often the most difficult part of making decisions. When we make prayer part of this process, Heavenly Father can help us understand the results of different choices and guide us in selecting the best alternative.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country, 151) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

“Life gives to all the choice. You can satisfy yourself with mediocrity if you wish. You can be common, ordinary, dull, colorless; or you can channel your life so that it will be clean, vibrant, progressive, useful, colorful, rich. You can soil your record, defile your soul, trample underfoot virtue, honor, and goodness, and thus forfeit an exaltation in the kingdom of God. Or you can be righteous, commanding the respect and admiration of your associates in all walks of life, and enjoying the love of the Lord. Your destiny is in your hands and your all-important decisions are your own to make.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969], p. 235) Our Thoughts Become Our Actions, Our Actions Become Our Character, and Our Character Becomes Our Destiny

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by. (President Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 84–87)

“Know This, That Every Soul Is Free” is free To choose his life and what he’ll be; For this eternal truth is giv’n: That God will force no man to heav’n. Know this, that ev’ry soul

He’ll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind. (Hymns, no. 240)