When I was younger, I always referred to and thought of the concept of Agency as "free" Agency. As I grew older I learned that the reason we refrain from calling it free agency is because this gift really isn't free at all. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden because they chose to partake of the forbidden fruit. This was of course a vital part of God's plan, but because of this act of 'necessary disobedience' (a very complex concept, I know), Adam and Eve, and all of mankind thereafter, were subject to harsher, mortal lives, with the contrasting Good and Evil. Making the correct choice; good > evil, is where exercising our Agency comes into play.
“We have been given agency, we have been given the blessings of the priesthood, and we have been given the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost for a reason. That reason is our growth and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come.” Robert D. Hales, "for a Reason", "to act for ourselves: the gift and blessings of agency"
“Bondage, subjugation, addictions, and servitude come in many forms. They can be literal physical enslavement but can also be loss or impairment of moral agency that can impede our progress.” Quentin L. Cook, "regrets can impede our progress", "Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of bondage" Conference October 2013
“In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor […]" Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Honestly Seek for Truth", Ensign January 2013
“God’s plan allows the adversary to tempt individuals so that they, while in this mortal world, can exercise their agency to choose good over evil, to choose to repent, and to choose to come unto Jesus Christ and follow His example.” Russell M. Nelson, Conference October 2013
“You will learn to make reality of your worthy dreams for the future. You will be led to see a vision of your true potential and then, through obedience to correct principles and the consistent, appropriate use of moral agency, begin to convert that potential into reality.” Richard G. Scott, "Worthy Dreams for the Future", Conference October 1991
“For relief of an ailment, as a doctor of medicine I might write a prescription. As an ordained Apostle, I would invoke the spiritual blessing of eternal perspective. Combined, my spiritual prescription would return the gift of agency to its rightful owner.” Ezra Taft Benson, "Combined with Spiritual Prescription", Conference April 1967
“Those who violate this commandment in the exercise of their agency are answerable for losing the blessings which observance of this commandment would bring.” James E. Faust, "Those Who Violate the Commandment", Conference 1986
“Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide. Agency is too fundamental a doctrine to be left in such jeopardy.” Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World", Conference October 1989
“By virtue of this agency you and I and all mankind are made responsible beings, responsible for the course we pursue, the lives we live, the deeds we do.” Thomas S. Monson, "Choose ye this day", Conference October 2004
“We must choose with our agency to obey in faith that the promised blessing will come, that the promise is true because it comes from God.” Henry B. Eyering, "Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady" Conference October 2005
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