Agency and Consequences

One of the most fundamental doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) concerns the gift of agency. A second, equally important, doctrine is consequences are linked inextricably to our use of agency and we cannot choose those consequences. As it follows, one of the most critical uses of agency is how each of us decides to use or misuse the powers of procreation-how we preserve or abandon our chastity. My observations and experiences, during many years of...
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One of the most fundamental doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) concerns the gift of agency. A second, equally important, doctrine is consequences are linked inextricably to our use of agency and we cannot choose those consequences. As it follows, one of the most critical uses of agency is how each of us decides to use or misuse the powers of procreation-how we preserve or abandon our chastity. My observations and experiences, during many years of church service, professional life and generally, have made it clear chastity is no longer considered a virtue to be cherished and prized by large segments of our society. Even within The Church, old, young and between are being deceived. Both my current bishop and stake president report a clear majority of the problems they deal with involve sexual transgression in one form or another. This story is about what happens to two characters, Paul Tenter and Sarah Christensen, and those close to them over the course of nearly thirty years. The Title: "Agency and Consequences" is the theme that runs throughout its entire narrative as principles and laws are taught and learned. Choices are presented, principles obeyed and applied and blessings received; or principles are disobeyed and penalties imposed. This is a story for all of us. Do we use our agency wisely? Do we heed the direction of wise guides in our lives? When we find ourselves in the pit of adversity, will we make good choices? Will we find the ladder half buried in the rubble? And if we do, does the ladder represent the best choice? If you or I is a guide, trying with all our heart and mind to help someone in great need, when will you or I give up the quest? At what point do you or I let go and move on and never look back? Or, like Sarah, do you and I let go, bury the remnants of the relationship, move on and still care enough to brave the storm and risk our own safety to seek out the one lost? I invite you to become acquainted with and come to know Paul and Sarah. Travel this 30-year journey with them, their families, friends and associates as each exercises his/her agency, makes choices and reaps the consequences.