Freedom is an important principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. While freedom has many levels of meaning, we can see God’s love of freedom in His respect for our agency. We are free to act for ourselves. However, Satan is the great enemy to freedom. He threatens our freedom in many ways. He may twist the idea so we think we should be able to act without any consequence. He may fill us with pride to think we are above God’s law. He most certainly enslaves us when we do not repent from our sins.
So, how can we ensure we remain truly free? Taking a closer look at the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the holy scriptures can help us better understand what freedom is and how to live in liberty.
John 8
In the gospel of John, we learn about the role of truth in freedom. What is the most important truth we can learn? That Jesus is the Christ and through Him all mankind can be saved. These verses remind us it is only through Jesus that our sins can be cleansed.
And ye shall the , and the shall make you . They answered him, We be , and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever is the of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you , ye shall be free indeed.
Romans 6
Sometimes, we feel like obedience to God’s laws restrict our freedom. How can we be free if God tells us what to do? Paul reminds us in his epistle to the Romans that following God leads to freedom because we inherit everlasting life.
Being then made from , ye became the servants of righteousness. But now being made from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your unto , and the end everlasting life. For the of is ; but the of God is through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Nephi 2
One of the greatest sermons on freedom comes from the Book of Mormon. The prophet Jacob teaches us that when we choose to act according to the commandments of God, we find power. As we continually choose God and His laws, we find more freedom, not less.
And the cometh in the fulness of time, that he may the children of men from the fall. And because that they are from the fall they have become forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. Wherefore, men are according to the ; and things are them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to and eternal , through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be like unto himself.
As good people everyone embraces these principles, we will find liberty and peace in families, communities, and nations.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
