The Hair Cut Analogy

Choices are kind of like taking care of your hair. Imagine you have long hair - down past your shoulders. You have many options. You can braid your hair, you can curl your hair, you can put your hair in a ponytail, you can dye your hair, you can cut your hair. Some choices have more lasting effects than others. If you braid your hair today, you can take the braid out and your hair is basically the same. If you dye your hair or cut your hair today the consequences are longer lasting, but not permanent.

I like this conception because it reflects several facets of how I look at choices and the consequences of those choices. First, I believe that we all have the right to choose. Second, I believe that there are often many choices with basically equal utility. Third, I believe that choices are rarely irreversible. Fourth, I think choices and consequences are intrinsically linked.

There is a chapter in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ that captures this concept of consequences to our choices very well. In Alma 42 the prophet Alma is talking to his son Shiblon. Shiblon had concerns about the "justice" of people being punished for their sins. Alma explains that if there is not a punishment attached to an action, it can't be a sin. "But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted" (Alma 42:22). Thus, each of us can make choices, and we can fix poor choices through the wonderful gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Justice and mercy are balancing concepts. Mercy requires that our choices be considered in context of what we know and our preceding and following choices.

I think the choices we make are extremely important. I believe there are morally right choices, and I believe we have the chance to receive guidance about what choices we should make. I believe that through studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seeking answers both through scriptures, modern revelation, and personal answers to prayers we will be lead and guided along a path that will bring us happiness both now and in the future. Happiness must be understood as something that is long lasting - not fleeting and dependent on doing what will bring pleasure now, but sorrow, remorse, guilt, shame or the like later.

I am grateful for the moral compass that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in my life. I am grateful for the chance I have to work towards being a better person every day.