Agency and Responsibility
‘Freedom of speech, freedom of action within boundaries that do not infringe upon the liberty of others are … divine gifts “essential to human dignity and human happiness.”’
Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Joseph Smith’s Feelings about His Prophetic Mission
“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them…will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law…I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen.”
Principles of Temporal and Spiritual Welfare
Unfortunately, there has been fostered in the minds of some an expectation that …we should look to either the Church or government to bail us out. Forgotten by some of our members is an underlying principle of the Church welfare plan that “no true Latter-day Saint will, while physically able, voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support.”