“We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all man the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
A) The light of Christ
Our Heavenly Father sent us to earth with the knowledge within us of good from evil. He placed this knowledge within us since the beginning of times with Adam and Eve: “For God doeth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.1” We all received a conscience that dictates and guides us to things that are good: “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.2” This conscience reminds us who we are and the importance of choosing the right. It has the power also to help us realize when we do wrong, for: “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.3”
According to the scriptures, this conscience is also called the Spirit of Christ or light of Christ: “For behold, the spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.4”
Moroni continues his teaching saying: “But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no men to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.5”
B) The gift of free agency
Free agency is given to every one that is born on the earth. It is also compared as a light within us and will quicken our understanding: “And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.6” We cherish the gift of free agency that God has given us. It is essential to his plan and our progression that we are able to choose between right and wrong.
Free agency is given to every one that is born on the earth. It is also compared as a light within us and will quicken our understanding: “And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.6” We cherish the gift of free agency that God has given us. It is essential to his plan and our progression that we are able to choose between right and wrong.
The prophet Lehi, while giving his last counsel to his sons before his death, said: “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they 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; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.7” Through this marvelous gift, God gives us a chance to serve whomever we choose to. Joshua wrote: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.8”
C) Importance of following the promptings of the light within us
The prophet Alma, while testifying of Christ to an antichrist called Korihor, used the scriptures of old prophets by quoting: “For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve. 9”
It is a privilege for each of us to find the truth about God and the gospel of Jesus Christ and choose to follow it. God will not force us to follow His commandments. We claim the privilege to worship God according to the conscience within us. Every one should have the chance to worship whatever, however and whenever they want to. Of course, we need to be careful of some kind of worship going against the freedom of people or being destructive even until death. When a form of worship goes against the laws of God, it is a warning sign.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness to those that live it. It is not God’s work to bring misery. The conscience or light of Christ will push us to do good, but we still have the agency to follow it or not. The following revelation was given to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1831: “Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.10”
The prophet Alma, while testifying of Christ to an antichrist called Korihor, used the scriptures of old prophets by quoting: “For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve. 9”
It is a privilege for each of us to find the truth about God and the gospel of Jesus Christ and choose to follow it. God will not force us to follow His commandments. We claim the privilege to worship God according to the conscience within us. Every one should have the chance to worship whatever, however and whenever they want to. Of course, we need to be careful of some kind of worship going against the freedom of people or being destructive even until death. When a form of worship goes against the laws of God, it is a warning sign.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness to those that live it. It is not God’s work to bring misery. The conscience or light of Christ will push us to do good, but we still have the agency to follow it or not. The following revelation was given to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1831: “Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.10”
References Part 11
1. Genesis 3: 5
2. Hebrews 13: 18
3. Isaiah 57: 21
4. Moroni 7: 16
5. Moroni 7: 17-19
6. Doctrine and Covenants 88: 11
7. 2 Nephi 2: 27
8. Joshua 24: 15
9. Alma 30: 8
10. Doctrine and Covenants 58: 21
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