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Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants
Agency: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants
Can your choices affect God’s plans? Are there times when being “acted upon” is a good thing? Does following a covenant path make you less “authentic”? If you are born with a particular nature and disposition, just how free are you? And how responsible are you for the choices you make?
The question of human agency, of how free you are to make meaningful choices, has always been a central concern of the Christian life. Philosophy, biology, cognitive science, and historical studies all have made us more aware of the ways in which agency is challenged by genes, cognitive biases, cultural contexts and personal traumas. As a result, it is more important than ever to reflect upon the meaning of agency, and how modern revelation can illuminate the central question: how do I live my best life? How can we more fully become, in President Spencer Kimball’s expression, the architect of our own destinies?
The question of human agency, of how free you are to make meaningful choices, has always been a central concern of the Christian life. Philosophy, biology, cognitive science, and historical studies all have made us more aware of the ways in which agency is challenged by genes, cognitive biases, cultural contexts and personal traumas. As a result, it is more important than ever to reflect upon the meaning of agency, and how modern revelation can illuminate the central question: how do I live my best life? How can we more fully become, in President Spencer Kimball’s expression, the architect of our own destinies?
116 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2025
You always know you are going to enjoy a book by Terryl Givens. I was glad he was included in this series of books. I have read most of his books out on LDS doctrine and practice, including The God Who Weeps, The Crucible of Doubt, Stretching the Heavens, and Wrestling with the Angel. Each hast left a lasting impression on me, because they help make the gospel filled with meaning in a modern context.
This book is no different. Givens begins with an ambitious agenda in this slim volume on agency. In particular, this one sounded like he had a bone to pick with some of modern discourse: "In recent years, public attention has shifted with increasing focus on words like 'identity', 'authenticity' 'individual rights', and 'free expression'-- all of which foreground the ways in which responsibilities, duties, and freedom exert competing claims on our agency." Not to be a downer here, but I think individual rights are important. But he's definitely not anti-human rights; he talks about how rights should be balanced with an understanding of responsibilities as well.
The authenticity discussion was one of my favorite in the book, as it seems like a legitimate concern to me. Givens' take is that authenticity, the idea that there is some inner spark unique to us that can be quashed by institutions, family, society, and other obligations, is somewhat of a mirage. He argues that it just doesn't exist to the extent we think it does. Instead, we have competing voices and influences that we choose to follow, and key word here, imitate. When we say we want to be authentic, we are saying there are other influences that are more important to us. I get that. The challenge then to me is that the Church often doesn't have voices that we deem worthy of following, that don't seem to address very real challenges and needs in society, and that seem deaf to things we care about. Are they worth imitating? He brings up a book I keep hearing a lot in my reading, "The Imitation of Christ," and that's definitely something I want to see more of in our teaching. I am reading a history of the Jesuits right now, and the Imitation of Christ was brought up there, as well as the concept of obedience. It mentioned that obedience to Jesuits wasn't meant to be blind, it was viewed as an exercise in self-discipline to quash the natural man. Givens brings in a similar viewpoint. Interesting how these old ideas seem fresh to a lot of the trite modern discussions on the same topics.
A few other observations. While this is a book on D&C, Givens spends a lot of time at what he is good at, giving a history of ideas in ancient scripture and early church fathers. I loved this about his previous books, bringing Tertullian and Clement and Origen in conversation with Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon prophets. He eventually comes around to D&C, but he has to set the stage first.
Next, I am starting to see a lot of patterns between books by all the different authors. One of the strongest so far has been the emphasis on relationships. Givens argues that agency isn't exercised in a vacuum; it's our way of influencing others. It dovetailed very nicely with the volume on Redeeming the Dead, where the author mentions how we are in a kind of net connected to all our ancestors and ultimately the whole human race. Relationships are important in the D&C.
Great book, can't recommend it more.
This book is no different. Givens begins with an ambitious agenda in this slim volume on agency. In particular, this one sounded like he had a bone to pick with some of modern discourse: "In recent years, public attention has shifted with increasing focus on words like 'identity', 'authenticity' 'individual rights', and 'free expression'-- all of which foreground the ways in which responsibilities, duties, and freedom exert competing claims on our agency." Not to be a downer here, but I think individual rights are important. But he's definitely not anti-human rights; he talks about how rights should be balanced with an understanding of responsibilities as well.
The authenticity discussion was one of my favorite in the book, as it seems like a legitimate concern to me. Givens' take is that authenticity, the idea that there is some inner spark unique to us that can be quashed by institutions, family, society, and other obligations, is somewhat of a mirage. He argues that it just doesn't exist to the extent we think it does. Instead, we have competing voices and influences that we choose to follow, and key word here, imitate. When we say we want to be authentic, we are saying there are other influences that are more important to us. I get that. The challenge then to me is that the Church often doesn't have voices that we deem worthy of following, that don't seem to address very real challenges and needs in society, and that seem deaf to things we care about. Are they worth imitating? He brings up a book I keep hearing a lot in my reading, "The Imitation of Christ," and that's definitely something I want to see more of in our teaching. I am reading a history of the Jesuits right now, and the Imitation of Christ was brought up there, as well as the concept of obedience. It mentioned that obedience to Jesuits wasn't meant to be blind, it was viewed as an exercise in self-discipline to quash the natural man. Givens brings in a similar viewpoint. Interesting how these old ideas seem fresh to a lot of the trite modern discussions on the same topics.
A few other observations. While this is a book on D&C, Givens spends a lot of time at what he is good at, giving a history of ideas in ancient scripture and early church fathers. I loved this about his previous books, bringing Tertullian and Clement and Origen in conversation with Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon prophets. He eventually comes around to D&C, but he has to set the stage first.
Next, I am starting to see a lot of patterns between books by all the different authors. One of the strongest so far has been the emphasis on relationships. Givens argues that agency isn't exercised in a vacuum; it's our way of influencing others. It dovetailed very nicely with the volume on Redeeming the Dead, where the author mentions how we are in a kind of net connected to all our ancestors and ultimately the whole human race. Relationships are important in the D&C.
Great book, can't recommend it more.
January 14, 2025
I’ve been excited about the Maxwell Institute’s “Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants” series. So far, I’ve read four books out of seven, and the entry by Terryl L. Givens on Agency has been my favorite. It’s a beautiful blend of theological and devotional reflection that leans heavier into the comparative literature and theological side of the equation, more in the vein of the “brief theological introductions to the Book of Mormon” series than other entries in this series that I’ve read so far.
The core thesis that Givens argues in this diminutive volume is that humans do have agency that allows them to make choices independent of God, arguing against the determinism that has often been associated with Calvinism. He does some discussion about the development of the debate between determinism and free will in Christian thought, placing a lot of weight on the Augustine-Pelagius debate as the cradle of determinism, then discussing how that debate carried on through to the Protestant Reformation and onwards to the cultural context of Joseph Smith in the nineteenth century United States. He then spends most of the book exploring the meaning and implications of agency, drawing on the Doctrine and Covenants to do so.
I found that Givens’s prose was beautiful throughout and spent a decent amount of time stopping and highlighting quotes that I would like to use in the future (whether for discussions at church meetings or online). One of my favorites was about the relationship between agency and repentance: “Repentance is the name we give to the process by which, step by step and decision by decision, we cooperate deliberately with God in the process of reshaping our own natures” (pp. 14–15). I also loved that he described agency as being relational rather than personal, since
meaningful existence cannot pertain to solitude but unfolds in plurality. … The entire moral program of agency focuses on choice, experiencing and discerning, and choosing the sweet and good over the bitter and evil. But we do not choose those categories in the abstract, and we do not choose in an impersonal vacuum. We choose in response to the words, enticements, counsels, and actions of others. … Agency is manifest in how we choose to influence others, and in how we choose to be influenced by others (p. 34–35).
Many other examples of inspiring and beautiful thoughts shared by Givens throughout.
The style throughout, if you couldn’t tell already, is quintessential Terryl Givens. It reminded me in particular of The God Who Weeps, and it does draw on themes and thoughts shared in that book as well as other volumes, like Wrestling with the Angel. I also found that his discussion of how humans can be co-participants with God reminded me very much of some of the thoughts that Stirling McMurrin shared on the topic (which, to be clear, is a good thing—I appreciate McMurrin’s theological writings about Mormonism). So, if you’re a fan of his writings, you will very much enjoy this volume on agency.
Thus, I highly recommend reading Agency: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is a beautiful and deep exploration of the topic and a notable entry into the theological debate over determinism and free will in its own right.
The core thesis that Givens argues in this diminutive volume is that humans do have agency that allows them to make choices independent of God, arguing against the determinism that has often been associated with Calvinism. He does some discussion about the development of the debate between determinism and free will in Christian thought, placing a lot of weight on the Augustine-Pelagius debate as the cradle of determinism, then discussing how that debate carried on through to the Protestant Reformation and onwards to the cultural context of Joseph Smith in the nineteenth century United States. He then spends most of the book exploring the meaning and implications of agency, drawing on the Doctrine and Covenants to do so.
I found that Givens’s prose was beautiful throughout and spent a decent amount of time stopping and highlighting quotes that I would like to use in the future (whether for discussions at church meetings or online). One of my favorites was about the relationship between agency and repentance: “Repentance is the name we give to the process by which, step by step and decision by decision, we cooperate deliberately with God in the process of reshaping our own natures” (pp. 14–15). I also loved that he described agency as being relational rather than personal, since
meaningful existence cannot pertain to solitude but unfolds in plurality. … The entire moral program of agency focuses on choice, experiencing and discerning, and choosing the sweet and good over the bitter and evil. But we do not choose those categories in the abstract, and we do not choose in an impersonal vacuum. We choose in response to the words, enticements, counsels, and actions of others. … Agency is manifest in how we choose to influence others, and in how we choose to be influenced by others (p. 34–35).
Many other examples of inspiring and beautiful thoughts shared by Givens throughout.
The style throughout, if you couldn’t tell already, is quintessential Terryl Givens. It reminded me in particular of The God Who Weeps, and it does draw on themes and thoughts shared in that book as well as other volumes, like Wrestling with the Angel. I also found that his discussion of how humans can be co-participants with God reminded me very much of some of the thoughts that Stirling McMurrin shared on the topic (which, to be clear, is a good thing—I appreciate McMurrin’s theological writings about Mormonism). So, if you’re a fan of his writings, you will very much enjoy this volume on agency.
Thus, I highly recommend reading Agency: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is a beautiful and deep exploration of the topic and a notable entry into the theological debate over determinism and free will in its own right.
December 26, 2024
Lovely is the search for truth
There was in my reading of this a discernible and desirable difference as compared to other books I’ve read of late, that I also classify as theological, and which I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed. Two excerpts will serve to illustrate:
1. “This is not to say that agency, free will, and moral responsibility are exact synonyms. Nor is it to say that our agency or free will is absolute, without bounds or limits, or without internal and external conditions that can limit, impair, or predispose our choices. It is to say that Restoration scriptures repeatedly affirm the reality of “agency,” “free will,” and “freedom,” using those terms more or less interchangeably. So this book will simply take as a starting point the facticity of our ability to make meaningful choices and bear moral responsibility for those choices…” (p 12).
2. “This clarification is enormously important for a few reasons. First, President Nelson’s reminder is important because we are too easily absorbed in constructing “theologies of atonement,” theories that attempt to explain the exact mechanics by which mercy and justice are reconciled or whether ransom or substitution are better analogies for what transpired, or how the work of atoning was divided between Gethsemane and Golgotha, and so forth. Second, it’s necessary to keep Christ foremost in view because turning the Atonement into a concrete thing or episode places it in the past, invoking historical memory more than a living presence, an ongoing encounter. And finally, we must beware lest the prominence in our discourse of the word “atonement” and its theological weight and ambiguity may obscure the greater reality it was originally intended to describe: the transformative, healing love of Jesus Christ. One moment when this obfuscation happened in our own Restoration history is the pattern of misquoting and mischaracterizing Joseph Smith’s words on the subject in the direction President Nelson lamented. “All things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to the atonement” is the phrase we frequently read and hear. What Joseph actually said was, “The fundamental principles of our religion [are] the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, ‘that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven;’ and all other things are only appendages to these.” (p 84)
I note the precedence given to revelation while also acknowledging the merit of a theological lens, a search for the mechanism of action.
Lovely is the search for truth.
There was in my reading of this a discernible and desirable difference as compared to other books I’ve read of late, that I also classify as theological, and which I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed. Two excerpts will serve to illustrate:
1. “This is not to say that agency, free will, and moral responsibility are exact synonyms. Nor is it to say that our agency or free will is absolute, without bounds or limits, or without internal and external conditions that can limit, impair, or predispose our choices. It is to say that Restoration scriptures repeatedly affirm the reality of “agency,” “free will,” and “freedom,” using those terms more or less interchangeably. So this book will simply take as a starting point the facticity of our ability to make meaningful choices and bear moral responsibility for those choices…” (p 12).
2. “This clarification is enormously important for a few reasons. First, President Nelson’s reminder is important because we are too easily absorbed in constructing “theologies of atonement,” theories that attempt to explain the exact mechanics by which mercy and justice are reconciled or whether ransom or substitution are better analogies for what transpired, or how the work of atoning was divided between Gethsemane and Golgotha, and so forth. Second, it’s necessary to keep Christ foremost in view because turning the Atonement into a concrete thing or episode places it in the past, invoking historical memory more than a living presence, an ongoing encounter. And finally, we must beware lest the prominence in our discourse of the word “atonement” and its theological weight and ambiguity may obscure the greater reality it was originally intended to describe: the transformative, healing love of Jesus Christ. One moment when this obfuscation happened in our own Restoration history is the pattern of misquoting and mischaracterizing Joseph Smith’s words on the subject in the direction President Nelson lamented. “All things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to the atonement” is the phrase we frequently read and hear. What Joseph actually said was, “The fundamental principles of our religion [are] the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, ‘that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven;’ and all other things are only appendages to these.” (p 84)
I note the precedence given to revelation while also acknowledging the merit of a theological lens, a search for the mechanism of action.
Lovely is the search for truth.
February 3, 2025
A welcome addition to Latter-day scholarship. Givens presents a theologically sound - and accessible - study of “agency.” Perhaps the theme of the book could be reduced to a quote by Joseph Smith on page 2: “all the minds and souls that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.” Susceptible! Salvation and exaltation are not earned, but man is susceptible to spiritual enlargement largely through external forces and environment. Agency is necessarily relational. Choices made are responses made in relation to the “other” be it people, familial circumstances, friends, environment, all of it. Of course, how we act and utilize agency is of the utmost importance but, and this is a big but, rugged individualism is not the answer to our issues or to our enlargement. It is understanding our relationship to others and to God that allows us to utilize our agency in fulfilling, dare I say exalting, ways. God continues to extend his grace, and our agency is used to choose either to receive or not receive his blessing. In fact, so much of our agency is not an outward act of projection but an inward act of reception. We mustn’t let personal effort get in the way of recognizing and receiving both divine and mundane help (48-49). It is all grace and our reception of grace determines the character of the person we continue to build into the eternities.
All of this is to say that Givens rejects determinism in favor of agency, but he also rejects rugged individualism and argues in favor of recognizing the communal nature of faith and existence. This communal nature takes the shape of our earthly societies, relation to the divine, communion with angels, and glorified societies in the life to come. Nothing is determined, nor is anything individual, about the reception of God’s glory and grace.
All of this is to say that Givens rejects determinism in favor of agency, but he also rejects rugged individualism and argues in favor of recognizing the communal nature of faith and existence. This communal nature takes the shape of our earthly societies, relation to the divine, communion with angels, and glorified societies in the life to come. Nothing is determined, nor is anything individual, about the reception of God’s glory and grace.
May 1, 2025
This is my first read in the "Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants" series. I read the entire "theological foundations" series that examined each book from the Book of Mormon, and I loved it. The Doctrine and Covenants series is smaller, with I think only six or seven short volumes. The biggest difference though is that while the Book of Mormon series was logically organized by book thanks to the narrative flow of the Book of Mormon, this series is organized thematically. This is because the Doctrine and Covenants follows no narrative. It's simply organized chronologically. So books based on themes teased from the 138 sections of the book make sense.
I've read several books by Givens and, if I'm being honest, none of them have grabbed me. I found "The God Who Weeps" too fluffy and his work on 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon series bland and disjointed. Many would probably disagree with those assessments, but that's what I thought.
But Givens' work on agency here is wonderful. I found the book's structure easy to follow, as his exploration of agency is built around only a small handful of assertions: agency (free will, for those unfamiliar with LDS terminology) is only meaninful in relation to other people in community settings; agency is most effective when preceded by thoughtful pauses that informs deliberate action; forgiving and accepting forgiveness opens the future to an expanse of possible choices, which in turn empowers us to bestow new meaning on an unchangeable past.
This is a quick and very rewarding read. In only a little over 100 pages Givens reworked my perception of agency.
I've read several books by Givens and, if I'm being honest, none of them have grabbed me. I found "The God Who Weeps" too fluffy and his work on 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon series bland and disjointed. Many would probably disagree with those assessments, but that's what I thought.
But Givens' work on agency here is wonderful. I found the book's structure easy to follow, as his exploration of agency is built around only a small handful of assertions: agency (free will, for those unfamiliar with LDS terminology) is only meaninful in relation to other people in community settings; agency is most effective when preceded by thoughtful pauses that informs deliberate action; forgiving and accepting forgiveness opens the future to an expanse of possible choices, which in turn empowers us to bestow new meaning on an unchangeable past.
This is a quick and very rewarding read. In only a little over 100 pages Givens reworked my perception of agency.
May 3, 2025
While it is hard to say which of these seven book is the best, I do think that reading them in the order they are presented on the cover of the book, creates a crescendo effect that is simply thrilling! Agency, was utterly fantastic! Givens links our agency to relationships in such a remarkable way that he has given me a whole new experience with the concept! I have long held that what most Americans call freedom is a far cry from the freedom God offers through our moral agency. This book affirmed that notion with such clarity and vision, that it makes be previous views seem almost childish. I absolutely loved this book!!!
November 18, 2025
Historically Christianity grapples with this dilemma: Is our salvation entirely dependent on God’s grace, or do we earn our salvation by our chosen good behavior? Terry Givens proposes: “A third option, whereby God’s grace makes possible our meaningful choices in the first place, then quickens and expands that agency as we employ it wisely, and allows for repenting and reshooting appears on the horizon with greater clarity in the Restoration.”
Reading this book was very nourishing, although Givens' dense writing (packed with meaning) makes me want to read it again and again, for more complete understanding.
Reading this book was very nourishing, although Givens' dense writing (packed with meaning) makes me want to read it again and again, for more complete understanding.
July 1, 2025
This is a short book on Agency, a topic I love to learn more on. There were several insightful points here, which include that perhaps that greatest outcome or exercise of agency is developing discernment - this confirms an idea working in my the last while - that the point of agency is to become a better learning and chooser. I also really appreciated the idea of being willing to receive what the father wants to give as a great purpose or goal of our agency. More to ponder on that. It is a fairly easy read, and I recommend it.
February 18, 2025
I have loved listening to Givens on podcasts and always come away from any discussion feeling lifted and expanded and excited about the gospel. This book did all of those things for me. Its themes and discussions on agency are going to stick with me and profoundly impact my living out this principle of the gospel.
April 17, 2025
A fantastic and broad but short treatise on Agency.
Givens has given me plenty to think about in regard to agency. He has shown how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants enlighten our understanding of the topic. A thought provoking read that will continue to provoke thought and inspiration for a long while to come.
Givens has given me plenty to think about in regard to agency. He has shown how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants enlighten our understanding of the topic. A thought provoking read that will continue to provoke thought and inspiration for a long while to come.
May 26, 2025
This is a great little book. Every chapter comes with a lot of stellar insights. In typical fashion, Terryl Givens seamlessly weaves together early Christian writings and influential thinkers throughout history with Restoration scripture and Latter-day Saint theology. This book gave me a lot to think over and digest and it was a good addition to my study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year.
October 20, 2025
This book was recommended by a good friend. It was thought provoking-I underlined a lot of passages. I’m in awe of how many philosophers Terryl Givens weaves into the book. I found myself looking several of them up. I’m not highly educated, but very curious and love learning from people that are so knowledgeable. I’ll be recommending it!
August 20, 2025
It’s impressive that Givens could pack such a broad topic into such a concise volume while still delivering piercing insights. I’m a fan of his.
Agency and community, nature and free will, collectivity and individualism are all treated here.
Agency and community, nature and free will, collectivity and individualism are all treated here.
August 31, 2025
Another stellar book by Terryl Givens. I just love how he explains agency. Every time I’ve heard him describe his viewpoint, and the complexities that he sees, around agency… I am inspired and uplifted. Thank you Brother Terryl!
December 31, 2025
I struggle a bit with Terryl Givens' work. He's brilliant, obviously, but my brain isn't always ready to absorb what he has to say. Still, even if you only get a few insights from his books--like I did from this one--it's well worth the time.
March 21, 2025
Beautiful ideas about choices and relationality to others. Loved it.
May 3, 2025
Contemplative and philosophical. It helped me think of agency in new, expansive ways.
July 12, 2025
6 ⭐️
October 24, 2025
An excellent study of agency that was eye opening. The last two chapters were expecially good.
January 3, 2026
Determinism, predestination, and compatibilists are three worldviews that lack full understanding of restored truth regarding agency.
“…the fact of our ability to make meaningful choices and bear moral responsibility for those choices, even as it recognizes that compatibilists like Augustine and Edward’s have hit upon a most critical point: it is doubtless the case that our natures, our dispositions, our habits of mind and action, constitute a set of conditions that shape and even constrain our choices. Our freedom to chose does not operate in a vacuum and is not limitless” (pg12)
“For something to exist from the point of view of the world, extrinsically, it must be able to influence things and things must be able to influence it. That is what it means to have causal power” (pg 35)
“If we make no difference to the other, and the other makes no difference to us, in the language of Plato, if by sentiment or action we build up the cocoon of self concern and make ourselves the focus of our existence, then we actually cease to exist in any meaningful way” (pg 36)
“The point is to be free for something, for someone…we cannot talk about rights without talking about responsibilities. And we cannot talk about responsibilities without being part of a community. Human rights point beyond ourselves to relationships with others. The affection that binds people together is not motivated by entitlements, but obligations. It does little good to be alone in our freedom “ (pg37)
Lastly “the more responsibility a person freely takes upon self, the richer and deeper life becomes…there’s real glory in it [responsibility]” Dr. Jordan Peterson
Leadership is a relationship of reciprocity. True authority and dominion are gained without compulsory means, but rather a free exchange of agency.
“Receiving is no passive activity…’give ear’…’prepare one’s heart to receive’ presupposes a labor of humility, or laying aside pride, presuppositions, habits, and prejudices” (pg47).
“Those who will not endure chastening…cannot be sanctified. These words are no threat but simple assertions of the nature of any educative process” (pg 47).
“How can a future that has not happened influence us in the present? The novelty of that thought reveals how unaccustomed we are to actually living a faith filled life…we move on to the next curriculum in our eternal education. That future is not in doubt, and we are bidden to live in the light of those coming realities that are, like Christ’s atonement to king Benjamin’s audience, as impactful as though they were already in our past” (pg 50, 51).
“Maybe the point of the principle is not, in this case, a stern advisory to be diligent and punctilious and act with agonizing foresight; perhaps with the future in mind, we might live with greater confidence, trust in the Lord’s providence, and be more accepting of and joyful in the life of willing discipleship” (pg 52).
“Anxiety is for many of us a more instinctual response to life than cheerfulness. The Lord is trying to move us towards the latter by reminding us to “fear not,” …we are so mired in present flaws that we lose sight of a process taking us forward “ (pg52).
"We are creatures of time. We inherit its fruits, both sweet and bitter. We have the advantages our forebears have bequeathed us, from aspirin to the 40-hour week to whatever political and religious freedoms we enjoy. ... however, we are also the inheritors of culture, concepts, conceptual frameworks, prejudices, and moral failings that can limit the range of our thinking. We progress toward maturity as individuals but as societies as well. Scientific knowledge builds upon the achievements and expanded horizons of predecessors. Copernicus was a brilliant scientist, but we cannot expect him to have pioneered nuclear fusion. ... The same is true to some extent in the moral world. No matter how good an individual Aristotle was, he was nurtured in a society where he could not even imagine slavery as wrong or women as equal to men" pg 62
He goes on to quote JS 123: 7-8 "damning hand murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion" "an iron yoke"
One more. Given's provided commentary, "Joseph was, however, recognizing the way in which human agency must negotiate a labyrinthine path bedeviled by culture conditions, ignorance, misrepresentation, and the cumulative deleterious effects of myriad action of numberless actors on the stage of history." (Pg63-64)
“…the fact of our ability to make meaningful choices and bear moral responsibility for those choices, even as it recognizes that compatibilists like Augustine and Edward’s have hit upon a most critical point: it is doubtless the case that our natures, our dispositions, our habits of mind and action, constitute a set of conditions that shape and even constrain our choices. Our freedom to chose does not operate in a vacuum and is not limitless” (pg12)
“For something to exist from the point of view of the world, extrinsically, it must be able to influence things and things must be able to influence it. That is what it means to have causal power” (pg 35)
“If we make no difference to the other, and the other makes no difference to us, in the language of Plato, if by sentiment or action we build up the cocoon of self concern and make ourselves the focus of our existence, then we actually cease to exist in any meaningful way” (pg 36)
“The point is to be free for something, for someone…we cannot talk about rights without talking about responsibilities. And we cannot talk about responsibilities without being part of a community. Human rights point beyond ourselves to relationships with others. The affection that binds people together is not motivated by entitlements, but obligations. It does little good to be alone in our freedom “ (pg37)
Lastly “the more responsibility a person freely takes upon self, the richer and deeper life becomes…there’s real glory in it [responsibility]” Dr. Jordan Peterson
Leadership is a relationship of reciprocity. True authority and dominion are gained without compulsory means, but rather a free exchange of agency.
“Receiving is no passive activity…’give ear’…’prepare one’s heart to receive’ presupposes a labor of humility, or laying aside pride, presuppositions, habits, and prejudices” (pg47).
“Those who will not endure chastening…cannot be sanctified. These words are no threat but simple assertions of the nature of any educative process” (pg 47).
“How can a future that has not happened influence us in the present? The novelty of that thought reveals how unaccustomed we are to actually living a faith filled life…we move on to the next curriculum in our eternal education. That future is not in doubt, and we are bidden to live in the light of those coming realities that are, like Christ’s atonement to king Benjamin’s audience, as impactful as though they were already in our past” (pg 50, 51).
“Maybe the point of the principle is not, in this case, a stern advisory to be diligent and punctilious and act with agonizing foresight; perhaps with the future in mind, we might live with greater confidence, trust in the Lord’s providence, and be more accepting of and joyful in the life of willing discipleship” (pg 52).
“Anxiety is for many of us a more instinctual response to life than cheerfulness. The Lord is trying to move us towards the latter by reminding us to “fear not,” …we are so mired in present flaws that we lose sight of a process taking us forward “ (pg52).
"We are creatures of time. We inherit its fruits, both sweet and bitter. We have the advantages our forebears have bequeathed us, from aspirin to the 40-hour week to whatever political and religious freedoms we enjoy. ... however, we are also the inheritors of culture, concepts, conceptual frameworks, prejudices, and moral failings that can limit the range of our thinking. We progress toward maturity as individuals but as societies as well. Scientific knowledge builds upon the achievements and expanded horizons of predecessors. Copernicus was a brilliant scientist, but we cannot expect him to have pioneered nuclear fusion. ... The same is true to some extent in the moral world. No matter how good an individual Aristotle was, he was nurtured in a society where he could not even imagine slavery as wrong or women as equal to men" pg 62
He goes on to quote JS 123: 7-8 "damning hand murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion" "an iron yoke"
One more. Given's provided commentary, "Joseph was, however, recognizing the way in which human agency must negotiate a labyrinthine path bedeviled by culture conditions, ignorance, misrepresentation, and the cumulative deleterious effects of myriad action of numberless actors on the stage of history." (Pg63-64)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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