Both Esther and Alma made decisions that affected large numbers of people. But both of them received warnings which deemphasized the impact of their decisions on the group and focused instead on the danger to them personally. Our decisions may not ultimately change outcomes ordained by God, but they will change us.
Esther and the Hazard of Inaction
Mordecai warned Esther that if she failed to take action to protect her people, she would not be safe. Captain Moroni gave a similar warning to Pahoran, reminding him that God would not save him from his own negligence. Not choosing is itself a choice, and it has consequences.
My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord
From the chaos described at the end of the book of Judges emerged two extraordinary women: Ruth and Hannah. Although one was a Moabitess and the other an Israelite, they both inherited Abraham's covenant in the same way: by choosing to embrace it.
Samson
Samson squandered his gifts with brash and vindictive decisions. Even his final, God-given burst of strength was destructive. The Book of Mormon provides similar stories with alternate endings: Alma and Amulek emerging from a wrecked prison, Nephi and Lehi converting their captors. Samson's tragedy comes into sharper relief when we see what might have been.
Choose [Eternal] Life
Moses concludes his final sermon by laying a stark contrast before his people: "life and good" vs. "death and evil." He urges them, "Choose life." Lehi lays the same contrast before his sons at the end of his life but adds an eternal perspective. "Choose eternal life," he says, "and not ... eternal death."
“It Was Not You That Sent Me Hither, But God”
Joseph explained to his brothers that their harmful decision to sell him into slavery had actually helped God fulfill His purposes for their family. Through His perfect knowledge, God accomplishes His goals for His children not only in spite of their choices, but through them.
Proactive Steadiness: Anxiously Engaged, but Not in Haste
In an 1831 revelation, the Lord gave two contrasting admonitions, urging church leaders to be anxiously engaged but not to work in haste nor by flight. We can balance eager initiative with careful restraint by (1) counseling continually with the Lord, (2) pacing ourselves, and (3) being fervently patient.
“Let Every Man Choose for Himself”
God honors our agency, even as He offers clear instructions. In Eden and in Ohio, He invites without compulsion: “Let every man choose for himself," He said. We can follow this pattern, extending invitations to others while respecting their choices and their timing.
Grace and Agency in Doctrine and Covenants 20
Doctrine and Covenants 20 teaches us about the relationship between grace and agency. Jesus Christ suffered so that we could be saved. We can choose to accept that gift (justification) and retain it over time (sanctification). Baptism enables us to accept it. The sacrament helps us retain it.
Samuel the Lamanite on the Burden of Freedom
Samuel the Lamanite concisely synthesized the teachings of prior Book of Mormon prophets into a sobering statement about agency: You own your choices and their consequences, including the choice to repent.