What are you finding in your study about "Agency"

In reading a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales I found that he noted that the meaning behind the word "Agency" in the LDS church is often misunderstood by those outside of the church.  I am so grateful for the doctrines of the church, and particularly Agency.  Thanks Kaden for choosing this topic for our study.  Here is an excerpt of what Elder Hales said when he gave a friend who was not a member of the church some gospel related reading and the friend shared his difficulty understanding what was meant by "Agency":  

I was surprised he did not understand what we mean by the word agency. I went to an online dictionary. Of the 10 definitions and usages of the word agency, none expressed the idea of making choices to act. We teach that agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and “to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon.”1 Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions. Our agency is essential to the plan of salvation. With it we are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.”2

The words of a familiar hymn teach us this principle very clearly:

Know this, that ev’ry soul is free

To choose his life and what he’ll be;

For this eternal truth is giv’n:

That God will force no man to heav’n.3

 (Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life; Elder Robert D. Hales)

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/agency-essential-to-the-plan-of-life

This is a good thing to keep in mind when discussing gospel topics.  There are some LDS jargon words.  If we verbally invite someone to Stake Center, do they think they are about to get a nice Ribeye?