Maybe another meaning for life, or
answer to the purpose of mortality is the opportunity to “make choices”.
Without choices, life would be more like a solitary prison sentence as there
would be no agency. No good or bad, no right or wrong, no rewards or punishment.
There would be no consequences and perhaps most significant, no growth, no
progress. The ruling theme of the day would be absolute apathy. Without choices
there would be no love, no charity, no empathy, no grace, no effort, no
creativity, no color, no preferences, no meaning, no conflict, no rules or
laws, no religion, or need for government. There would be no competition, no failure
and therefore no success.
Every choice inherently comes with
consequences, hence The Law of Consequences. One categorically follows
the other. Like choices, consequences are critically important to mortality. They
have the overarching ability to improve or damage life! The right choices yield
better consequences and better consequences can bring us not just more
happiness, but lasting happiness – both in this life and the next. Consequences
are powerful. They can determine the quality of relationships, employment, our
faith, our health, where we live, how we live, whether or not we experience
fulfillment and satisfaction, or even find and realize our purpose.
Isaac Newton understood it
unmistakably when he discovered and recorded the Third Law of Motion: “If
one object exerts a force on another object, then the other object exerts an
equal and opposite force on the first object.” Choices exert forces and
those forces exert consequences. Much like gravity, it’s always been there, it always works, it’s
an unswerving, eternal law. The Law of Consequences tell us that our
choices ultimately define the resulting consequences, which in turn define our
overall quality of life.
Benjamin Franklin also contributed to
the concept. He was renowned for his lifelong quest for self-improvement. He
recognized that a valuable part of improvement was good decision making. He had
a methodical mind and applied it in creating a process for the successful
solving of complex decisions. Describing the methodology he wrote, “When
these difficult cases occur, they are difficult chiefly because while we have
them under consideration all the reasons for pro and con are not present to the
mind at the same time; but sometimes one set present themselves, and at other
times another, the first being out of sight. Hence the various purposes or
inclinations that alternately prevail, and the uncertainty that perplexes us.” He
then describes further the “how” to weigh the ‘for and against’ in any
situation – “To get over this, my way is, to divide, half a sheet of paper
by a line into two columns, writing over the one pro, and over the other
con. Then, during three or four day’s consideration I put down under the
different heads short hints of the different motives that at different times
occur to me for or against the measure. When I have thus got them all together
in one view, I endeavor to estimate their respective weights; and where I find
two, one on each side, that seem equal, I strike them both out: if I find a
reason pro equal to some two reasons con, I strike out the three. If l judge
some two reasons con equal to some three reasons pro, I strike out the five;
and thus proceeding I find at length where the balance lies; and if after a day
or two of further consideration nothing new that is of importance occurs on
either side, I come to a determination accordingly. And though the weight of
reasons cannot be taken with the precision of algebraic quantities, yet when
each is thus considered separately and comparatively, and the whole lies before
me, I think I can judge better, and am less likely to make a rash step; and in
fact I have found great advantage from this kind of equation, in what may be
called moral or prudential algebra.” Ben Franklin’s humble tool for
decision-making is now renown as the ‘T-Chart’. It is widely used to examine
two opposing facets of a topic, object, situation, circumstance, or event under
consideration. T-Charts are particularly helpful for analyzing advantages and
disadvantages, as well as strengths and weaknesses. It’s a systematic,
intentional process for making better choices, more informed choices, that help
us arrive at the overall most advantageous conclusion, and the best possible
conclusions. Revolutionary!
A favorite verse shared with me over 30
years ago has stuck and become somewhat of a life mantra. The simple message of
choices and consequences is inherently captured herein. It goes,
“Today I
plant a seed, Tomorrow it may be,
A flower or a weed, Depends on the
seed.”
Choices ‘planted’ today result in consequences
of “delicious fruit” or “rotten tomatoes” tomorrow, depends on the choices.
Every day, every decision, every experience, every interaction or communication
we have with each other – said or unsaid – is a seed. Whether we grasp it or
not, we are planting seeds every moment, all-the-day long. Accordingly, we
should be conscientious of the kinds of seeds we plant! We should concentrate
on planting seeds that will produce beautiful flowers, velvety grass, hardy
shrubs, and sturdy trees. It takes some self-discipline, and practice, and a
deep love of others to become good at it. We should commit to be intentional gardeners
- planting good seeds, making good decisions every day of our lives; in all of
our relationships - at home, at work, with friends, with neighbors, on social
media, and even with strangers. We can never know the extent of the choices we
make (seeds we plant) will have from the consequences or influence (for good or
evil) on lives, both others’ lives and our own. It’s sobering and humbling to recognize
that reality. In so doing, hopefully it persuades us to be more deliberate and sensible
in our decision making responsibilities going forward.
An ancient prophet wisely memorialized
a version of The Law of Consequences, but from different perspective when
he so plainly said, “There is opposition in all things.” Like a small stone
tossed into a pond, the circles of expanding ripples extent out seemingly
indefinitely. Choices are that way. Ripples of either goodness or negativity
undoubtedly flow into eternity, influencing generations, and even return to
impact us again (and again).
Even the Creator of the universe remarked
about the significance of our choices. He said, “Give, and it shall be given
unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal
it shall be measured to you again” (Lk. 6:38; also see other verses echoing
the same idea: Gal. 6:7-8, Job 4:8, Jer. 17:10, 2 Cor. 9:6, Mk. 4:24). The
message is abundant and clear - every choice has a consequence. It’s
unavoidable. We have the ultimate control over our choices. It’s a God-given holy
endowment of agency, but we have little-to-no control of the ensuing consequences.
Just as day follows night, no doubts, no questions, no hesitation, systematically,
with surety and inevitability, consequences will follow choices for every
breath of our mortal probation. Consequences can be viewed as a curse or a
blessing, but for those that understand The Law of Consequences and live
their lives respecting it, greater blessings will come. Maybe it’s partially
what Paul was teaching to the Corinthians when he said, “But as it is
written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of
man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him’” (1Cor. 2:9).
Blessings untold and unrealized are the unequivocal consequences of the best
choices.
As followers and disciples of Christ,
and as members of His Church, we are blessed to have a multitude of ‘job aids’
to support us through the challenges of mortality and the accompanying daily choices
of life. One of my best friends speaks frequently of one of these decision-making
gifts – “the Light of Christ” – “That was the true Light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world
was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own
received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn.
1:9-13). What a magnificent gift
given to every man born into mortality! Some have referred to the Light
of Christ as our conscience. The still, small voice in our minds and bosoms that
intuitively helps us discern right from wrong, good from bad. In a more
tongue-in-cheek way, others describe it as the proverbial “an angel on one
shoulder and the devil on the other.” However it’s illustrated, the concept is
almost universally accepted. For every choice, there are contrasting decisions,
and both have divergent consequences.
There are several other “job aids”
benevolently gifted to help us make decisions with good choices that yield
better consequences. The Holy Ghost, the Scriptures, patriarchal blessings, the
Holy Priesthood, Temple and other sacred ordinances, prayer, commandments and
doctrines, repentance and forgiveness, beatitudes, virtues, living Prophets and
Apostles, other spiritual leaders – both worldwide and local, and the
supporting influence of each other, just
to name a few.
We are accountable for both the choices
we make, and how we respond to the accompanying consequences. We’re all
familiar with the dietary maxim, “You are what you eat.” In expanded
terms, we could also intimate, “You are what you think” – maybe more
famously said, “As a man thinketh, so is he,” which is shortened from
Prov. 23:7 – “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink,
saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Might I suggest a
related adage in terms of the subject of this writing, “You are the
consequences of your choices.” Where we are today is the sum of our past
choices and the resulting consequences. And where we’re headed tomorrow will be
the sum of our current and future choices.
One great thing about life and
choices is that we can always make course corrections just by making better
choices henceforth. Because of God’s grace and the gift of agency, our current projected
destiny can be bettered by our choices going forward. A beloved living Apostle characterized
it perfectly, “… however late you think you are, however many chances you
think you’ve missed, however many mistakes you feel you’ve made, or talents you
don’t think you have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you
have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of Divine
Love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of
Christ’s atonement shines. …There is
nothing you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you
cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity
cannot yet be realized. Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of
the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning! Come boldly
to the throne of Grace and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and
feast without money and without price at the table of the Lord! To those that
have been blessed by the gospel for many years because you were fortunate
enough to find it early, and to those of you that have come to the gospel by
stages and phases later, and finally, to those of you that may still be hanging
back, to each of you, one and all, I testify of the renewing power of God’s
love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith of which you
finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there! So, if you’ve
made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you’ve made
them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late as long as
the Master of the Vineyard says, “There is time.” Please listen to the
prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you
should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ, and enjoy the fellowship
of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late.” (The Laborers in the
Vineyard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Mar. 2012).
We can rely on ‘the arm of the
flesh’ (our own wisdom) to make decisions and hope for the best. Or we can
turn to the Savior and ‘lean on His ample arm.’
This phrase comes from a cherished hymn, “Lean on My Ample Arm,”
one of my favorites. The lyrics –
Lean on my
ample arm, O thou depressed! And I will bid the storm Cease in thy breast.
Whate’er
thy lot may be On life’s complaining sea, If thou wilt come to me, Thou shalt
have rest.
If thou
wilt come to me, Thou shalt have rest.
Lift up
thy tearful eyes, Sad heart, to me; I am the sacrifice Offered for thee.
In me thy
pain shall cease, In me is thy release, In me thou shalt have peace, Eternally.
In me thou shalt have peace,
Eternally.
Theodore E. Curtis (1872 – 1957) - Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints #120
In summary, we can employ a
deliberate and intentional effort to make better choices, the best choices
going forward. Similar to Ben Franklin’s ‘T chart’ we could also use a simple
table, but with three columns instead of two. The first column would “The
Choice Before Us”; the second column, “Positive and Beneficial
Consequences”; and the third column, “Negative and Detrimental
Consequences.” As we flesh-out all of the potential consequences and augment
our efforts by seeking assistance from the Light of Christ and other divine
means, our decision making skills will improve and even refine over time. As we
regularly practice this process, it will eventually become second nature to us.
And the ensuing string of consequences will build a more content and
peace-filled life, replete with the happiness God would want for His children.
My wish is that as we better
understand The Law of Consequences, our choices will return to us consequences
measured with the increased peace and joy and contentment we seek.
Wm. Calvin Hughes | September 19, 2025 |
Lake Elsinore, CA
