Gospel Principles for Kids Lesson 4: Freedom to Choose

Freedom to Choose

Agency Is an Eternal Principle

God has told us through His prophets that we are free to choose between good and evil. We may choose liberty and eternal life by following Jesus Christ. We are also free to choose captivity and death by following Satan. The right to choose between good and evil and to act for ourselves is called agency.

Agency Is a Necessary Part of the Plan of Salvation

When we choose to live according to God’s plan for us, our agency is strengthened. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.

We began to make choices as spirit children in our Heavenly Father’s presence. Our choices there made us worthy to come to earth. If we keep His commandments and make right choices, we will learn and understand. We will become like Him. 

This is the angle I took with my young children:

Heavenly Father wants us to make good choices and so he has given us some guides.

I drew a simple drawing of paths going off in different directions and had the girls choose a guide to help them choose the correct path.  Each path had something bad or something good such as 

a. There is a scary alligator that chases you or b. You see a good friend.

a. There is a dark forest and get lost or b. You see the temple.  

a. There are mean kids who throw things at you or b. You see your family in your yard.

A friend of mine asks her kids who is smiling right now after they make a choice, is it Satan or Jesus?  This is an easy measure for whether we've made a good choice or bad.

This video shows that when confronted with a choice, we can make good decisions and help others do the same.

For older kids, I like this video too.

Quoted material, titles and headings come from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gospel Principles manual unless otherwise noted. Click here for the full lesson.