A simple lesson of agency is demonstrated by the wicked Lamanites in the land of Nephi. These people are dissenters and they have been wicked, they have created a great war. They have a dramatic conversion experience in the prison with Lehi and Nephi.

This is followed by their teaching of their people and sharing their remarkable conversion experience. The scriptures then speak these words of them: “the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith” (Helaman 6:1).

The two-word phrase, had become, is everything we need to know about agency. These were wicked and vile people, and yet they changed and became righteous, faithful, loving, devoted and powerful. These were people who “had become” through action—through repenting, exercising faith, and then receiving the Spirit. This scriptural account is a reminder that with Christ we can be whatever we want to be and that change is possible for anyone and everyone, no matter their current state.

Sadly, the next verse uses the same insightful two word phrase in a different context: “For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them” (Helaman 6:2). Agency reminds us that through action we can become righteous or evil, humble or proud, light or dark, penitent or rebellious, responsible or irresponsible.