"Our Heavenly Father loves all of His children, and He wants them all to have the blessings of the gospel in their lives. Spiritual light is not lost because God turns His back on His children. Rather, spiritual darkness results when His children turn their collective backs on Him. It is a natural consequence of bad choices made by individuals, communities, countries, and entire civilizations. This has been proven again and again throughout the course of time. One of the great lessons of this historical pattern is that our choices, both individually and collectively, do result in spiritual consequences for ourselves and for our posterity....
"The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours. Each one of you has to decide for yourself if you are going to ignore the past and suffer the painful mistakes and tragic pitfalls that have befallen previous generations, experiencing for yourself the devastating consequences of bad choices. How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ such as the sons of Helaman, Moroni, Joseph Smith, and the stalwart pioneers—and choose, as they did, to remain faithful to your Heavenly Father's commandments."
- M. Russell Ballard, "Learning the Lessons of the Past," General Conference April 2009
Click here to read the full talk
President Monson likes the phrase, "Decisions determine destiny." Elder Ballard is echoing that sentiment, with the specific application of the choice to obey or disobey God's commandments. That single choice to not follow results in "spiritual darkness" as individuals and as society.
Always and forever, our agency is paramount. We must choose to receive the greatest blessings offered to us, in time and eternity!
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)
April 10, 2015
April 10, 2015
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