valYOU meal: Doors

Choices

You are free to choose and act.

You are NOT free to choose the consequences of your choices. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow.

Moral Agency A Gift From God

Moral Agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and to act for ourselves.

Moral Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without it, we would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior. With it, we are

“free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Nephi 2:27).

In Pre-Earth Life You Chose

In the pre-earth life, Heavenly Father presented His plan-The Plan of Eternal Progression, which includes the principle of moral agency.  At that time Satan chose to rebel and “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3).  You chose to follow Heavenly Father’s plan and came to earth.

Earth Life

In this life, you continue to have agency. You are responsible for the choice of doors you open and shut. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness, regardless of your circumstances. You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God’s commandments.

Satan will attempt to gain control of your moral agency.  

You can be in control of your thoughts, feelings, and actions if you open the door to making correct choices. 

 When you make choices you are closing one door and opening another. When you choose the doors of virtuous thinking and chaste behavior, you close the  doors on destructive behaviors like pornography and other inappropriate sexual behaviors.

Closing the Door on Pornography and Inappropriate behavior

Elder Dallin Oaks shares ideas for a plan to shut the door on pornography and other inappropriate sexual behavior.

“Do all that you can to avoid pornography. If you ever find yourself in its presence—… follow the example of Joseph of Egypt. When temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and ‘got him out’ (Gen. 39:12).” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Pornography,” Ensign, May 2005)

-If inappropriate sexual content appears on your computer screen or TV, immediately turn the computer or TV off.

-Make sure your Internet service has a password or filter.

-Delete “friends” from your social networking sites and cell phone directory that make it easy to view porn, talk about or participate in sexual behavior.

“Don’t accommodate any degree of temptation. Prevent sin and avoid having to deal with its inevitable destruction.

-So, turn it off!

-Look away!

-Avoid it at all costs.

-Direct your thoughts in wholesome paths. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Pornography,” Ensign, May 2005)

-Put up inspirational pictures around your computer (Christ or Family.)

Super Deluxe VALYOU MEAL

Decisions Determine Destiny by President Thomas S. Monson.

Suggested Activities

-Watch Decisions Determine Destiny by President Thomas S. Monson; First Counselor in the First; Presidency; CES Fireside for Young Adults • November 6, 2005 • Brigham Young University

-Read the e-zine article: President Thomas S. Monson, “Decisions Determine Destiny”  CES Fireside for Young Adults • November 6, 2005 • Brigham Young University.

-Study and put into practice the following saying:

Do all that you can to avoid pornography or other inappropriate sexual behavior.

In your Reaching For Virtue  Workbook identify where you see pornography internet, cell phone, etc. Write a solution of how to avoid it. Keep track of your progress.