Why Adam Lost His Agency in the Garden – Chapter 3

Why Adam Lost His Agency in the Garden
and Why His Fall and Restoration Matter to Us

Prepared by
Elder Dwight Burford
hisworkmanship.net
December 24, 2024, Printing
[pdf copy]

Luke 16:10-13 – He who is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give unto you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

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Chapter 3: Agency, Stewardship, and Judgment

Of primary concern to this study is the level and scope of the agency God has given to us in this mortal life called Today.[79] Also of concern is how we may either fulfill or lose our agency in God’s presence based on our actions. To maintain our agency with God, we must abide by the bounds and conditions of His kingdom, those founded in His commandments, covenants, and laws.[80] Adam’s transgression and restoration are further reviewed in later chapters to illustrate this concern for all humanity.[81]

To set the stage for this review, definitions of agency and stewardship are first discussed to provide a foundational understanding of the role each has in our individual lives in this world and in the world to come.[82] Woven within these discussions are two core topics: 1) the probationary state into which God placed Adam and his family after his transgression; and 2) how God is working toward restoring each of us as a faithful steward under His kingship[83]

The discussions in this chapter are ultimately meant to show how the two core topics mentioned above are addressed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer Lord.

Agency—Agency is the office of an agent; it is the quality of acting; that of moving and of exerting power; of being in a state of action, operation, and instrumentality.[84] Thus, those who have been given agency (the office of an agent) are those who have been given power and the capability to act in an instrumental way and within a certain capacity.

In one sense, an agent is someone who is entrusted with the business of another,[85] including in ministry.[86] Consider Jesus and the question He asked his parents, “Knew ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”[87] With this question, Jesus pointed them directly to His own agency, that of being an agent of His heavenly Father.[88] He also pointed them to His steadfast intent to faithfully act within His agency (the office of an agent) as appointed by His Father.[89]

To abide in His agency,[90] Jesus does not seek His own will.[91] Rather, He seeks His heavenly Father’s will so He may loyally fulfill His Father’s commands.[92] In keeping with His agency then, Jesus only speaks those words and takes those actions His heavenly Father shows Him to say and do.[93] By His example, Jesus has thus shown us what to say and do so that we may be accounted faithful stewards in our agency for fulfilling the stewardship duties God has placed in our care.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Consider, for example, the apostles Jesus Christ called and ordained to His ministry. Jesus’ stated purpose in choosing and ordaining them was so they should go and bring forth fruit—the fruit of His Spirit of truth—to His heavenly Father’s honor and glory and for His purposes.[94]

John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit; and that your fruit should remain [on earth and in heaven]; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

With these words, we learn that Jesus decidedly ordained His apostles to be agents of His ministry, and, as Paul wrote, their agency involved the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ by way of the baptism and ministry of the Holy Ghost.[95]

Is it not obvious, then, that Jesus is also intent on all those He calls to labor with Him doing the will of His heavenly Father as intentionally as He does? For only those who endure in the same have the promise of eternal life in His kingdom in the fullness of His Father’s glory.[96]

Matthew 7:30 – Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

John 6:44 – No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son;[97] for the Father beareth record of him;[98] and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just.

All members of the body of Christ (His church[99]) are thus called by Him for the express purpose of doing His Father’s will, which is the sanctification of our souls through the reception of His Holy Spirit.[100] In fine, each member of His church is to be His agent, one He chooses and to whom He gives specific callings and unique gifts through the wisdom and power of His Spirit of truth.[101]

I Corinthians 12:4-11 – Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Summarized, all members of Jesus Christ’s church are given their agency within the body of Christ to act in His power in accordance with the will of our heavenly Father.[102] We are therefore not meant to be idle. Rather, as His agents we are charged with the responsibility of acting on behalf of and in the interest of our Lord who has appointed us to be agents, i.e. as those appointed to act within and under His divine will and authority and thus under His divine headship.[103]

Stewardship—Stewardship is the office of a steward.[104] Consider the ministers of Jesus Christ. For instance, every minister is to be an agent of God who holds certain stewardship duties, e.g. to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines, and administer its ordinances.[105] As agents with unique stewardship responsibilities, every minister must be found faithful to their calling to be judged by the Lord to be a just steward, one worthy of His reward by grace.[106]

I Corinthians 4:1,2 – Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

I Peter 4:9,10 – Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.[107]

A steward is one who manages the concerns and interests of others, such as in managing the financial matters and property of another person or entity. A prominent example in scripture is Joseph of Egypt, who faithfully managed Potiphar’s and Pharaoh’s property and possessions under God’s direction.[108] Because Joseph was faithful in managing their affairs, God granted him an even greater stewardship, that of his own land, called Joseph’s land, which is the land of Zion.[109]

Like Joseph, agents hold certain stewardship duties given to them by God and are therefore held accountable by Him according to the terms and conditions of their agency. God does all things in order,[110] including giving gifts and talents to those He has created in His image and likeness, not just to people in positions like that held by Joseph. He then manages each one’s agency according to their office and calling in keeping with their abilities and His will for them in His kingdom.[111]

In many of His parables, Jesus Christ also illustrated how His heavenly Father manages the stewardships of His agents, i.e. those to whom He has given an agency with stewardship responsibilities. For example, our Lord tells us that if stewards prove to be faithful, He then adds to or increases their stewardship responsibilities within the scope and context of their agency as His agents.[112] Without this, there would be confusion in His church and in the world at large.[113]

In contrast to His dealings with the faithful, our Lord judges those agents who are unfaithful with their stewardship duties[114] and responsibilities by judging them with the same judgment they judge.[115] For example, in the parable recorded in Matthew 18:23-34, we read about a servant of a king who owed a great debt he could not pay. In order that the payment of this man’s debt could be made, his lord (the king) commanded that he, his family, and all his possessions be sold.[116]

Upon pleading with his lord for patience, the king had compassion towards this servant and loosed him and forgave him the debt. Unlike his lord, this servant was unjust in that he did not show compassion toward another servant who owed him a much lesser debt he could not pay. Instead of forgiving his fellow servant as he was forgiven when he asked for mercy, the forgiven servant had this other servant thrown in prison until his debt was paid, even though he pled for mercy.

When the king found out about the unforgiving actions of the servant he had just forgiven, the king was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. Jesus concluded the parable by saying:

Matthew 18:34 – So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.[117]

Given this is how our heavenly Father manages the affairs of His kingdom, should we not take great care in how we manage the stewardship responsibilities of our agency (the office of an agent), especially in terms of how we choose to treat others? By being just and compassionate, we can trust God will deal with us in the same manner.[118] Otherwise, God will deal with us according to His word and just ways, which are founded in His wisdom.

Matthew 6:16 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, who trespass against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.

For clarification, agency and stewardship are interrelated but unique terms. Having the gift of agency means we are agents of God, the One who has given us the ability to act within a certain capacity and place. As God’s agents, He gives us stewardship duties and responsibilities within that agency (office) according to God’s purpose for giving us our individual agency.

An example of the stewardship of agents is that of agents employed by an insurance agency. Each client policy an agency holds is the stewardship of that agency and its agents. Typically, agencies will have a different number of clients compared to others and will thus have differing numbers of stewardship responsibilities. Because the clients of the agency place their trust in the agency and its agents, each agent is expected to manage their insurance policies properly and responsibly.

An agency and its agents will likely prosper in their purpose for existing if they are found to be trustworthy. If, however, they mismanage the affairs of their clients, their reputation will be diminished and perhaps lost. Thus, simply being an agent with an agency does not mean an agent will remain an agent without regard to whether he or she manages his or her duties responsibly.

Each agent must therefore be found faithful in caring for the interests of his clients. For if he neglects or dismisses his stewardship responsibilities, Jesus asked:

Luke 16:10-12 – If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give unto you that which is your own?

We all would be wise, then, to heed the following counsel and words of wisdom. For those who are unwise must, like Judas, go to their own place, i.e. they will not be in the kingdom of God.[119]

Proverbs 28:20-22 – A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. To have respect of persons is not good; for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Another example of agents with stewardship responsibilities is that of an army. All are soldiers (agents). However, they do not all hold the same rank (duties). Some are officers and others serve under their command. Among the officers there are different ranks, each assigned to different levels of authority and duties. Such a structure of roles and responsibilities are similarly found in business entities and enterprises. As Paul explains, the church also has such a structure.[120]

Ephesians 4:11-16 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we, in the unity of the faith, all come to the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

I Corinthians 12:27-31 – Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? I say unto you, Nay; for I have shown unto you a more excellent way, therefore covet earnestly the best gifts.

Agents Unto Themselves—In scripture, we learn we are agents unto ourselves.[121] Another way of saying we are agents unto ourselves is to say we are our own judges.[122]

Alma 19:65-71 – Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself. And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; And if their works were good in this life and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also at the last day be restored unto that which is good; And if his works are evil, they shall be restored unto him for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to its proper order—everything to its natural frame, mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption, raised to endless happiness, to inherit the kingdom of God, or, to endless misery, to inherit the kingdom of the devil; the one, on one hand; the other, on the other—The one, raised to happiness, according to his desires of happiness, or good, according to his desires of good; And the other, to evil, according to his desires of evil, for as he has desired to do evil all the day long, even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand—If he hath repented of his sins and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so shall he be rewarded unto righteousness—These are they that are redeemed of the Lord, Yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness. And thus they stand or fall, for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. Now the decrees of God are unalterable; Therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.

Being an agent unto ourselves ultimately involves choosing for ourselves between eternal life with God or everlasting death to God.[123] The time allotted for making this decision is a time called Today, which is the time in this mortal life God is willing to strive with us.[124]

Hebrews 3:7-15 – Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; while it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

This time allotted to us by God, called Today, is a probationary time in which we ultimately act as stewards over the eternal welfare of our souls, which is our spirit and body that will be joined together in the resurrection for eternity.[125]

God created each of us in the image of His light and the likeness of His love[126] to be agents of the same.[127] Therefore, we must make a choice between being like Him in this world, as He designed, or to reject His image and likeness for eternity. The choice is ours to make according to the agency (the office of an agent) God has given us in this probationary life. Why is this our choice? As love,[128] God does not force us to retain His image or likeness.

According to the terms and conditions of this probationary life, we are free (while in this probationary life) to make a choice between life in Jesus Christ or death to God eternally. We are not, however, free to choose the consequences of our choices and actions in this life. These consequences are set by God—the One who created us—and He will pronounce the outcome of our decisions and deeds done in the flesh on the appointed day of judgment.[129]

II Corinthians 5:9,10 – Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive a reward of the deeds done in the body; things according to what he hath done, whether good or bad.

Mormon 1:86-89 – And for this cause I write unto you: That ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, yea, every soul which belongs to the whole human family of Adam; And ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; And also that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ which ye shall have among you; … And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

All those who choose to be like their Lord in light and love in this world will be made pure and perfect by God in love even as Jesus Christ was and is pure and perfect in love in our midst.[130]

I John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.[131]

I John 4:16,17 – And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.

On the other hand, choosing to love darkness over light by choosing works of darkness and deception—rather than choosing to love God and all men as He commands us—brings condemnation.[132] How we manage our stewardship of His image and likeness while it is called Today determines where our souls will reside in the eternal realm which follows this life.[133],[134] For we all will be restored in eternity to that same spiritual condition in which we depart this life.[135]

Revelation 22:11-13 – He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I Corinthians 15:41,42 – There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead…

Colossians 3:23-25 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.

Alma 8:102-104 – Now this restoration shall come to all—both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; And even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost, but all things shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son and God the Father and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

D&C 85:5a-7 – And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom, cannot abide a celestial glory; and he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom, cannot abide a terrestrial glory; he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom, cannot abide a telestial glory: therefore, he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore, he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. … for, notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again a spiritual body: they who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body, which was a natural body: even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory, shall then receive of the same, even a fullness; and they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory, shall then receive of the same, even a fullness: and also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory, shall then receive of the same, even a fullness: and they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place [like Judas[136]], to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.

In addition to the parable in Matthew 18:21-34 discussed previously, Jesus taught many parables to warn His disciples about the consequences of neglecting the stewardship responsibilities of their agency. Those who are negligent will be unprepared to give a good and acceptable accounting unto the Lord as explained in His parables.

Included below are a few of these parables which highlight how the agency of individuals, along with their associated stewardship responsibilities, can and may be taken from them under certain conditions and for a variety of reasons.

Unrighteous Wedding Guest: In Jesus’ parable about the wedding of a king’s son, there was an individual who was invited to this special event but who did not have on a wedding garment when he arrived. Consequently, the king had this man bound hand and foot and cast away into outer darkness.[137] That is, the king had this man’s agency in his kingdom taken from him.[138]

Matthew 22:11-14 – But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not a wedding garment. And he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king unto his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take and cast him away into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.

Jesus was speaking about the wedding supper of the Lamb, for which the wedding garment is a robe of righteousness.[139] Briefly understood, this guest represents those who have not been made righteous through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the King of the feast will have all such guests bound and cast out from the wedding feast of the Lamb. Oh, that we all would be wise and prepare now to come to our Redeemer Lord’s wedding feast clothed in a robe of righteousness!

Matthew 7:30-35 – Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter unto the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock, and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.

Thankfully, each one who has done the will of His Father by receiving a robe of righteousness solely through the atoning merits of Jesus Christ will be received with rejoicing into the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:5-9 – And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his saints, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Luke 15:10 – Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repenteth.

To summarize Matthew 22:11-14, by the king having his unprepared guest bound and cast into outer darkness, he had his guest’s ability to act in the light of day—the time in which we all must perform our labors—taken from him.[140] This means this man was no longer an agent of the king, and therefore he no longer had agency in his lord’s kingdom. Thus, the importance of using our agency to prepare to meet God during this time of probation cannot be stressed enough.

The Steward Who Buried His Talent: In another of His parables, Jesus spoke of a man who buried his talent instead of putting it to good use for his lord.[141] In reply to his idleness, the man’s talent (stewardship) was taken from him and given to another steward. Then his lord had this unprofitable servant cast into outer darkness where, as he said, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. As in the previous parable, his lord took away this man’s agency under his lordship.

Matthew 25:31 – And his lord shall say unto his servants, Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Both the wedding guest and this unprofitable steward lost their agency in the light because of the poor choices they had made. Are we prepared to be called before the King to give an accounting? By choosing to live life with Jesus Christ in the light, we may be so prepared. As plainly stated in the last chapter of the Bible, once this life of probation ends, we all will be ushered into one of four eternal possible estates based on the judgments of Jesus Christ regarding our deeds.[142]

Revelation 22:11-14 – He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

A Presumptuous Steward: In a parable of a rich man whose ground brought forth plentiful, Jesus illustrated why we must be rich toward God versus relying on this world’s riches. This man was so pleased with his harvest, he decided to tear down his barns and build new and bigger ones. However, God intervened and required the man’s soul that very night, and thus he brought his agency to end on earth. Why? The rich man’s heart was set on worldly things, not on heavenly things.[143]

Luke 12:18-23 – And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits, and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool! This night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So shall it be with him who layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Remember, then, that we simply cannot serve two masters. Either we will seek the Lord and His reward (like Moses[144]) to the glory and honor of the true and living God who created us, or we will chase in vain after the momentary pleasures of this world—which will vanish when our Lord renews the earth for the meek to dwell with Him a thousand years on earth.[145]

Matthew 6:19-24 – Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil,[146] thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light which is in thee be darkness, how great shall that darkness be. No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

With this passage of scripture in mind, recall also how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for the kingdom of our heavenly Father to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

Matthew 6:9-11 – Therefore after this manner shall ye pray, saying, Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, who trespass against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.

Jesus would not have enjoined His disciples to so pray if neither the kingdom nor the will of His Father will not be established on the earth at the set time. Those who thus pray intentionally will be saved in His kingdom by His grace.[147] May we so pray then and not faint notwithstanding what may befall us in these latter days before Jesus Christ’s return in the glory of His Father.[148] For the day of the His return will most assuredly come to the joy of His saints and the destruction of the wicked.

Luke 21:27 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for the day of your redemption draweth nigh.

Hebrews 13:20,21 – Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

[79] Hebrews 3:7-19 & Hebrews 4:1-16 with Alma 9:38-41 & Alma 19:82-106

[80] Matthew 6:28-39 & Daniel 9:4 with Alma 3:62-70 & D&C 85:9a,b

[81] Romans 5:12-21 with I Corinthians 15:21,22 & I Timothy 2:13,14

[82] Alma 9:38-41 & Alma 19:82-106 with I Nephi 4:52-63 & Mormon 4:94,95

[83] Philippians 2:12-16, Alma 16:237 & Mormon 4:93 with Romans 8:14

[84] http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/agency; Note: this was the definition of agency when Genesis 7:40-43 IV was restored.

[85] http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/agent

[86] cf. John 15:16,17 & I Corinthians 4:1,2 with Alma 12:14-20 & 14:78-128; cf. D&C 22:23b with Matthew 6:19-22

[87] Luke 2:49 with I Corinthians 15:24

[88] John 8:29 with John 1:14-16, John 10:30 & I John 5:7

[89] Luke 4:13-21 with Isaiah 61:1-11

[90] cf. John 15:10-11 with John 10:17,18