If I do what the Lord wants, am I still making a choice?

Mormons believe that we chose to come to this earth. In a counsel in heaven, we decided we wanted to come to earth to gain a body and once here we would be free to continue to make choices. Our loving Heavenly Father wanted us to choose His way, to keep His commandments because He knew that is how we would grow and be happy and be able to return to Him. He also knew that we would make mistakes, that we would not always choose His way. That is why He sent His son to earth to live, be an example, to teach, and then to atone for our sins and be crucified. Because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we can repent.

So if I do what the Lord wants, keep his commandments, that seems like I'm not making a choice, that I'm just doing what He wants. Remember when you did the dishes because it was what your mom wanted? You did it because you didn't want to be nagged or didn't want the consequence, not really because you wanted to do it. Or maybe you rebelled and didn't do the dishes. You were still making a choice. One of my husband's favorite philosophers, Rush, says, "If you choose not to, you still have made a choice" (Freewill Lyrics, Rush). With every decision we make or don't make, we are still making a choice. We can choose to follow the Savior's way or not. If we do, if we submit our will to Christ, we will be happier. And our choices, our freedom will expand.

This past month my inspirational quote has been, "Seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf). At the beginning of the month I prayed for a change of heart, a recognition of what I needed to do to follow Christ. I was tired of feeling overwhelmed and unsuccessful. As I've prayed, studied the scriptures, attended church meetings, counseled with friends and family, and set goals the Lord has shown me what I need to do to choose His way. As I've done so I've been "in the groove." I've been able to accomplish more and I've felt at peace. Much of this came because I chose to stop fighting what the Lord wanted me to do.

One of those is to be a proponent of Scouts and fulfill my calling in the Stake Primary. I was tired of telling Scout leaders that they needed to be trained and that I needed volunteers for day camps. I thought I would feel better if I was released. Another is for me to be a writer. In an interview with Sheri Dew she spoke about the biographies she wrote for two prophets, President Ezra Taft Benson and President Gordon B. Hinckley. She explained that they had different personalities, skills, and styles but they were the same in their faith, devotion, obedience, testimony and being willing to be instruments in the hands of the Lord (Conversations, Sheri Dew, Episode 54). Also at a regional training meeting Wendy Nelson, wife of Russell M. Nelson, said that if we are not happy, we are not following our mission in life. I don't know why my mission in life is to be a proponent of Scouts and to write, but I know that as I've embraced those this month, I've been happy.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ cannot and will not force us to choose their plan. If they were to save us in our sins, give us eternal life even if we didn't choose their way, that would be taking away our ability to choose. When we decide, and we can even pray to ask for help to choose their plan, they will be ready and willing to guide us.