True Freedom

Tyson D., Alberta, Canada

A while back, I went with some friends to a party. When we got there, we saw that there were no parents to supervise us, and I immediately felt uncomfortable. I started to have fun, though, so I decided to stay and hang with my friends.

As the night progressed, I soon realized that people were drinking alcohol and that some of my friends had joined in. I had felt uncomfortable before, but now things had gone too far. Luckily, I’d decided years before what I would do in this situation, so I immediately called my dad to come pick me up.

When he showed up, I left the party, and a few of my friends who were also uncomfortable came with me. I sadly lost some close friends that night, but I gained better ones. And my relationship with my parents and my Heavenly Father improved immensely.

Looking back, I can’t help but think of the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:27, which says, “Wherefore, men … are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death.”

That was not the last time I had to make a decision like this one. I will always be grateful for the first time I learned to choose liberty.