Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon

In a day where young men
Like to live upon the edge
There's hazards and mayhem
That adds thrills to each challenge

Life is far too precious
To throw away to chance
A toehold that's precarious
Buzzes like abused substance

To truly test your strength
Try honoring your priesthood
Try living like a Saint
And developing your manhood

Learn to act for yourself
And not to be acted upon
When someone controls your strength
To yourself you do not belong

When you're leaning towards an act
That is wrongful in any way
Leave your identity intact
And from that temptation stay

There comes a time to stand
On the side of courage and trust
There to rise from the sinking sand
Upon God's laws that are just

It's through spiritual attainment
We find in the center of our being
The Holy Ghost's in obtainment
For counsel that's ever freeing

Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon
President James E. Faust
Ensign Nov. 1995 45

2 Ne. 2: 26
And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.