Listen here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the-naked-apple/episodes/Agency-e2r0ntn

Agency, it is something that we use every day. A gift from God that we fought to keep before we came to earth and that we must exercise everyday, hopefully, to help us gain a better understanding of our heavenly heritage. From the first instruction given to Adam, on down to the choices we make today, agency is critical to God's plan and our salvation. The hardest part with agency, is remembering to use it so that we are creatures that act instead of just being acted upon. A great study with pre-planned side rails that, as usual, takes us off the rails but with amazing results. Studying this leads us to prepare for next week's episode about accountability.

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---Our Sources---

What is agency?

Agency is a privilege given to us by God and is essential in the plan of salvation:

Agency and Accountability

Why is agency important?

The first command given by God to man was to exercise agency: Genesis 2:16

Genesis 2

Choose life: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy 30

Choose ye this day: Moses 6:33

Moses 6

Act for yourself: 2 Nephi 2:16,27-29

2 Nephi 2

We need to act and not be acted upon: Seek Learning By Faith, Bednar

Seek Learning by Faith

Can agency be lost?

2 Nephi 26

With advancing technology, we must choose to act or be acted upon:

An Apostolic Invitation: Embrace Moral Agency and Righteous Work in Age of AI

Satan sought to destroy agency: Moses 4: 1-4

Moses 4

Challenge:

Seek learning by faith, go straight to God in prayer to learn the truth of anything that is on your mind.

Listen here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-naked-apple/episodes/Power-of-Gods-Word-and-Priesthood-e2q2pjd

How powerful is God's word? What is the priesthood? How powerful is that priesthood? We scratch the surface of these questions to try to gain a better understanding of what power we have available to us if we just have the faith to use it. From the creation to today there are countless examples before us demonstrating these two powers that really are synonymous with each other. Examining these leads us to looking at how God's word and priesthood are the key to either our salvation or our destruction depending on if we choose to be on the Lord's side, or just off to the side.

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---Our Sources---

How powerful is God’s word?

“I am He”: John 18:4-6
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/18?lang=eng&id=p4-p6#p4

 Christ repelled Satan by quoting scripture: Mathew 4:1-11
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/4?lang=eng

 Moses dismisses Satan with the words spoken to him by God: Moses 1:12-25
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/1?lang=eng

 The nothingness of man compared to the power of God: Helaman 12:4-21
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/12?lang=eng

 Obtain and God’s word to convince man: Doctrine and Covenants 11:21-22
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/11?lang=eng

 Treasure God’s word and you will not be deceived: Joseph Smith Mathew 1:37
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-m/1?lang=eng&id=37#p37

 “And God said…” The creation was done by God’s command: Genesis 1
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/1?lang=eng

Possibly the greatest power of God's word is the ability to change hearts and minds:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/34alvarado?lang=eng

What is the priesthood of God?

 The priesthood is the power of God on earth:
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/priesthood?lang=eng#title3

The priesthood is power:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/priesthood?lang=eng

How powerful is that priesthood?

 The power to correct the world according to God’s will: JST, Genesis 14:30-32
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/jst/jst-gen/14?lang=eng

Literally: Moses 7:13-14
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/7?lang=eng&id=p13-p14#p13

The power of miracles: Mathew 17:14-21
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/17?lang=eng&id=p14-p21#p14

“The heavenly Priesthood will unite with the earthly, to bring about those great purposes; and whilst we are thus united in the one common cause, to roll forth the kingdom of God, the heavenly Priesthood are not idle spectators, the Spirit of God will be showered down from above, and it will dwell in our midst. The blessings of the Most High will rest upon our tabernacles, and our name will be handed down to future ages; our children will rise up and call us blessed; and generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes that we have passed through, the privations that we have endured, the untiring zeal that we have manifested, the all but insurmountable difficulties that we have overcome in laying the foundation of a work that brought about the glory and blessing which they will realize; a work that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and prophets; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family.”
Teachings of Joseph Smith Ch 44
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-44?lang=eng

Do What Is Right LDS Hymn 237
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/do-what-is-right?lang=eng

Hope of Israel LDS Hymn 259
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/hope-of-israel?lang=eng#figure1_p13

Who’s On The Lords Side LDS Hymn 260
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/whos-on-the-lords-side?lang=eng

Challenge: Stand for God/Christ Uncomfortably. 

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sZWlXaYeV86O4RGYhB3zy?si=GPHmYRjaTAGOyFhu6q2nQw

Everywhere and everyday we are faced with different people and entities trying to deceive us. Deception is a powerful tool that is used to control others into doing what the deceiver wants. On the other side is discernment, a powerful gift given to us to help us determine what is true and what is false; good and evil; right and wrong. Discernment allows us to think for ourselves and use our agency to keep ourselves in control of our own thoughts and lives. Join us as we study these contrary topics and how we can better liberate ourselves from deception by discerning what is true.

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---Our Sources---

John Kerry lamenting the lack of an arbiter of truth:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2024/09/29/john_kerry_tells_wef_our_first_amendment_stands_as_a_major_block_against_hammering_disinformation_out_of_existence.html

“It must be remembered that the first job of any conspiracy, whether it be in politics, crime or
within a business office, is to convince everyone else that no conspiracy exists. The conspirators’
success will be determined largely by their ability to do this. That the elite of the academic world
and mass communications media always pooh-pooh the existence of the Insiders merely serves
to camouflage their operations. These "artists" hide the boy, the cart and the donkey.

Probably at some time you have been involved with or had personal knowledge of some
event which was reported in the news. Perhaps it concerned an athletic event, an election, a
committee or your business. Did the report contain the "real" story, the story behind the story?
Probably not, and for a variety of reasons. The reporter had time and space problems, and there is
a good chance the persons involved deliberately did not reveal all the facts. Possibly the
the reporter's own prejudices governed what facts went into the story and which were deleted. Our
point is that most people know from personal experience that a news story often is not the whole
story. But many of us assume that our own case is unique when really it is typical. What is true
about the reporting of local events is equally as true about the reporting of national and
international events.

Psychological problems are also involved in inducing people to look at the evidence
concerning the Insiders. People are usually comfortable with their old beliefs and conceptions.
When Columbus told people the world was a ball and not a pancake, they were highly upset.
They were being asked to reject their way of thinking of a lifetime and adopt a whole new
outlook. The "intellectuals" of the day scoffed at Columbus and people were afraid they would
lose social prestige if they listened to him. Many others just did not want to believe the world
was round. It complicated too many things. And typical flat-earthers had such a vested interest
involving their own egos, that they heaped abuse on Columbus for challenging their view of the
universe. Don't confuse us with facts; our minds are made up," they said.

These same factors apply today. Because the Establishment controls the media, anyone
exposing the Insiders will be the recipient of a continuous fusillade of invective from
newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. In this manner one is threatened with loss of "social
respectability" if he dares broach the idea that there is organization behind any of the problems
currently wracking America. Unfortunately, for many people social status comes before
intellectual honesty. Although they would never admit it, social position is more important to
many people than is the survival of freedom in America.”
-None Dare Call It Conspiracy, Gary Allen Page 12

Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the “keystone of our religion” and the “most correct” book on earth. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.) This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. “And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,” says Moroni, “and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.” (Ether 8:21.)
Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon—it is a conspiracy fact….
Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standard for the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)
A number of years ago, because of a statement that appeared to represent the policy of the Church, a faithful member feared he was supporting the wrong candidate for public office. Humbly he took the matter up with the Lord. Through the Spirit of the Lord he gained the conviction of the course he should follow, and he dropped his support of this particular candidate.
This good brother, by fervent prayer, got the answer that in time proved to be the right course.
Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints
April 1972
Ezra Taft Benson

Deceit, Deceive, Deception
Guide to the Scriptures
Study Helps
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/deceit-deceive-deception?lang=eng

Deception Scripture chain:  Ephesians 5:6, Isaiah 5:10, 2 Nephi 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:13, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:1-3, 2 Nephi 9:41, Doctrine and Covenants 45:57, Moses 4:4
Discernment, Gift of
Guide to the Scriptures
Study Helps
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/discernment-gift-of?lang=eng

Discernment Scripture Chain: 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 3 Nephi 11:3, Doctrine and Covenants 46: 8, 23, Doctrine and Covenants 88:67, Moses 1:27

Truth
Gospel study guide for truth.
Topics and Questions
Library
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/truth-study-guide?lang=eng

Truth
Guide to the Scriptures
Study Helps
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/truth?lang=eng

Truth Scripture Chain: Psalms 85:11, John 8:32, John 14:6, 2 Nephi 9:40, 1 Nephi 16:2, Jacob 4:13, Moroni 10:5, Doctrine and Covenants 50:14, 17-22, Doctrine and Covenants 84:45, Doctrine and Covenants 88:66-67 Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 29, 36, 40.