Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave a talk last conference (Nov. 2009) that deserves some further analysis.  He spoke on the internal control vs the external control of our moral agency.

When I look at how the world views things it occurs to me the mindset is totally different; another counterfeit to uncover.  I see the conflict as philosophy vs spirituality.  So many in the world today believe they are spiritual, when they are in reality philosophizing their view, which simply means creating their own rules, so they can do what they want, as opposed to following God’s rules, because of their spiritual faith in these rules.  Once we accept God, we accept eternal rules that even God, himself follows.  We let go of a philosophy of no rules.

It is a choice we each must make, and because we believe that we cannot serve two masters, we need to reach the point of a consistent “exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard.”

Elder Christofferson talks repeatedly about how our lack of internal control brings control by outside forces, such as government.  Outside laws will indeed force us to follow “the rules”, but what rules are we forced to follow?  God’s rules? Or other rules? 

Moral discipline should be learned at home, but now-a-days, it seems that parents may not be quite as diligent as they should be.  If we are committed to a true moral standard we must teach CONSTANTLY gospel principles. President Eyring’s quote is powerful in this talk, but you’ll have to look it up for yourself.

In the Garden of Eden, God uses the greatest teaching tool that every parent must learn.  In Moses 3:16-17, the Lord says, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself.”  The Lord gives freely, but he sets boundaries; he also directs our best choice, yet allows us to choose.  Further, in Moses 6, we learn that the Plan leads us to repent of the bad choices we are all likely to make.  In every child, “sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.” (v. 55)  Therefore, the commandment is to teach children that there is repentance. (v 57-58)

I am so grateful Elder Christofferson states the following words, because I have heard this excuse many times:  “I have heard a few parents state that they don’t want to impose the gospel on their children but want them to make up their own minds…What they forget is that the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth.”  You absolutely need to teach your children what the choice is FIRST, because the adversary won’t.  Parents have the opportunity (and responsibility) to teach truth, pure and undefiled.  The world will teach another view.  Agency only works after both sides are revealed clearly.  Otherwise, the child doesn’t stand a chance and will be quickly swept away into false truths, never knowing.

The talks given at General Conference are pure truth that builds moral discipline to guide us until the next time we meet.  We can be spiritually strengthened enough to recognize truth from error.  We can borrow strength from our leaders, if we have to.  We can get back on track, as our leaders, through the inspirations of the Spirit, urge us to sharpen our course.  And our parents should be there to guide the way.

Moral discipline “rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service.”  By becoming a disciple of Christ, “our moral discipline is rooted in loyalty and devotion to the Father and the Son.  It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the moral certainty upon which moral discipline rests.”