Today, we wrap up our series of Good Words on free will. This scripture from Helaman tells us that God has given us “a knowledge” and He’s made us “free.” What do these two things have to do with one another?

Well, at this point in The Book of Mormon, Samuel has shared all of the predictions that God gave him regarding Christ’s birth and death.

Samuel says the reason why God wants the people to know these predictions is “to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men” (verse 28) and also so that God’s righteous judgment falls upon the people — those who believe are saved and those who don’t aren’t. They have all the information they need to make a decision in faith.

Verse 31 says that God has allowed us to know good from evil, and that still holds true today.

Humans can perceive what is good and what is evil (to a great extent) without having to be trained. For example, giving a thirsty person water is good. Stealing someone else’s water is bad.

When it comes to actually choosing good versus evil and acting upon what we perceive … well, that’s where we need training. We can be easily tricked into believing what’s good is actually bad and vice versa — take Adam and Eve in the Garden.

But the decision is ultimately ours. God lays it out for us, and then it’s up to us to accept or reject, follow or stray, believe or not.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.