Search (www.salemthoughts.com)

Request Baptism

Fellowship Locator

Scriptures Project

Doctrine of Christ Conference

Restoration Archives

Restoration Archives

Zion/


Free Agency

Having grown up in the church hearing the phrase “free agency” it is interesting that I now hear people say thatfree agency is incorrect and that the correct term is “moral agency.” They will usually quote from Boyd K. Packer's talk inApril 1992 conference.

The phrase free agency does not appear in scripture. The only agency spoken of thereis moral agency, which, the Lord said, I have given unto him, that every man may beaccountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. ( D&C 101:78; italics added.)

Sure enough the phrase “free agency” doesn't appear in any of ourscriptures. But, I did a scripture search and found the following.


“agency” - appears 5 times (D&C 29:36, D&C 93:31, D&C 101:78, Moses 4:3, and Moses 7:32)

“moral agency” - appears only once (D&C 101:78)

“free will” - appears 4 times (Mosiah 18:28, D&C 58:27, D&C 119 intro, D&C 124:69)


What is a synonym for “will”? It is agency. So each time it says “free will” it could just as well be saying“free agency”. Therefore “free agency” is in the scriptures 3-4 times more than “moral agency”

Interestingly the term “moral agency” is only used once in a discussion about government.

77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established,and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.

79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.

80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.


Agency

... a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;” (D&C29:36)

Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light.” (D&C 93:31)

...Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man. . .” (Moses 4:3)

...in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;” (Moses 7:32)


Free Will

And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will. . .” (Mos. 18:28)

...men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will. . .”(D&C 58:27)

...not just one-tenth, but all free-will offerings, or contributions. . .” (D&C 119 intro)

...do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act . . .” (D&C124:69)


It would seem that “free will” (or free agency) is just as scriptural and accurate in portraying the meaning that God intended. But there has been a strong movement to stamp out the usage of the term “free agency” and totally replace it with the term “moral agency”, but I don't find the reason to be be compelling.

Usage of terms in Conference Talks from 1850 to 2013


It is interesting to look at the usage of the terms in conference addresses. The Scripture column indicates when the phrase was part of a scriptural quote whereas Speech indicates that it was uses as part of the speech and not in a scriptural reference. Each row includes the talks for 10 years (except the last row which is almost 4 years)



Free Agency

Free Will

Moral Agency

Decade

Speech

Scripture

Speech

Scripture

Speech

1850

1

1

3


1

1860


1

1



1870

6


11



1880

18


17

1


1890

12


7



1900

29


10

2


1910

26

3

10

2


1920

31

2

9

4

2

1930

64

4

10

3


1940

124

2

5

2

1

1950

86

4

3

2

1

1960

138

7

5

3

10

1970

123

7

13

2

3

1980

65

5

10

1

8

1990

16

7

5


33

2000

4

2

1


31

2010-13

1


2


14