2 Nephi 2:26

Through the fall of Adam, children were born and the human race began.  Because of the demands of justice, all were doomed to be cut off from God forever; however, a Messiah was provided to meet the demands of justice.  Through mercy, the Messiah will redeem us from the fall. 

John Tvedtnes writes:

The plan of God, therefore, was for Adam and Eve to become mortal or imperfect, in order that they and their offspring might gain experience unavailable to them in their perfect condition. But there was a problem to be overcome. Since the penalty for dis obedience is death, it was necessary to forestall the judgment in order to give mankind the opportunity to repent. In the eternal plan, this meant (1) providing a savior whose death would satisfy the demands of justice, and (2) establishing a probationary period during which Adam's family could be tested and learn obedience to the plan of mercy.[1] 

Once we have been redeemed, we are free, because we know good from evil.  “Christ not only brings about the possibility of spiritual life, but he also ensures our opportunity to choose freely between spiritual life and spiritual death during probation.”[2]  We know good from evil.  Writing to the Galatians, Paul explained, “STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

Alma₂ told his son Corianton:

If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.

These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.

Alma 41:6 - 7

Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.

Alma 42:27

Lehi gives us an important understanding of mortality.  The late comedian, Flip Wilson, had a character who, after doing something, would say, “The devil made me do it!”  This excuse is used to justify sin.  Lehi rejects this.  He tells Jacob that we are here “to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26).

God has given us our free agency to choose, to act.  We are given ways to reject temptation.  We are not to allow ourselves to be “acted upon.”  Discussing this concept, Alison V.P. Coutts wrote:

So the plan provides not only commandments that we can choose to follow but also, because we will inevitably make wrong choices, a Messiah with power to redeem us from the consequences of our disobedience, if we repent. This concept seems so integral to me now, but when I first was introduced to it, I marveled at its flawless logic. It awakened in me the beginnings of an understanding of the atonement and a continuing quest to be worthy of that atonement.[3]

Things to Act and Things to Be Acted Upon

Elder David A. Bednar talks about things to act and things to be acted upon.

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[1] The Influence of Lehi's Admonitions on the Teachings of His Son Jacob, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July 1, 2013.

[2] The Way of Life and the Way of Death in the Book of Mormon, Mack C. Stirling, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July 1, 2013. 

[3] From a Convert's Viewpoint, Alison V.P. Coutts, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July 1, 2013.