“Prophets must often warn of the consequences of violating God’s laws. They do not preach that which is popular with the world. …
“Why do prophets proclaim unpopular commandments and call society to repentance for rejecting, modifying, and even ignoring the commandments? The reason is very simple. Upon receiving revelation, prophets have no choice but to proclaim and reaffirm that which God has given them to tell the world” (Robert D. Hales, “If Thou Wilt Enter into Life, Keep the Commandments,” Ensign, May 1996, 37).
“Some complain that when the prophets speak with clarity and firmness that they are taking our agency away. We are still free to choose. But we must accept the consequences of those decisions. The prophets do not take away our agency. They simply warn us of what the consequences of our choices will be. How foolish to fault the prophets for their warnings” (L. Aldin Porter, “Our Destiny,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 66).