“Let Every Man Choose for Himself”

In December 1830, the Lord gave Joseph Smith some specific instructions:

1. Stop translating the Bible for a while
2. Travel and strengthen the church

He also instructed church members to relocate to Ohio.

None of these instructions were easy, and He acknowledged that each person would have to choose whether to follow them:

Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come.

Doctrine and Covenants 37:4

Notice that He did not say, “Anything goes; whatever you choose is okay with me.” He was clear about His expectations, but He coupled that clarity with a respect for the agency of His children.

This wasn’t the first time God extended an invitation while affirming agency. In fact, He followed the same pattern in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve:

Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Moses 3:16-17

Once again, the Lord:

1. explains what is expected,
2. affirms that Adam and Eve are free to choose,
3. warns that they are accountable for their actions.

We can also follow this pattern as we extend invitations to others. Elder Neil L. Andersen explained:

We respect each person’s choice and timing. The Lord said, “Let every man choose for himself.” A person’s lack of interest need not diminish our bonds of friendship and love. Whether or not the invitation is accepted as you invite others to “come and see,” you will feel the approval of the Lord and, with that approval, an added measure of faith to share your beliefs again and again.

“It’s a Miracle,” General Conference, April 2013

Personal agency may seem like a daunting thing, but it is also a joyful thing. We all like to be respected and trusted. The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob declared:

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

Today, I will be grateful for the gift of agency. I will strive to use my agency wisely. I will also respect the agency of others, extending invitations while respecting their decisions and timing.