Children of Heavenly Father were given the gift of agency when they came to Earth. Because of opposition and enticements by Satan, the "father of all lies," opportunities to use agency abound.
"Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction (the adversary) or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that!"
Agency has been given for "growth and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come." By heeding the spirit, "we will be protected from the destructive consequences of sin."
But if agency is lost through sin, it can be reclaimed by choosing to "accept — truly accept — that you are a child of God" and also by keeping covenants and using agency to do the Lord's will. Most important, "we can choose to believe in the Atonement."
Agency can also be used to help others.
"Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. Agency is the catalyst that leads us to express our inward, spiritual desires in outward, Christ-like behavior."
