The next impediment to those who attempt to follow the path comes from the nature of the world. This is a word that is founded on what Lehi will call an opposition in all things. It is founded upon the necessity of making choices. There are many ways in which we make choices. Some of them are almost made for us. We develop habits that allow us to perform actions without spending much time thinking about them. How much toothpaste we apply to our toothbrushes is a frequent choice, but one without much consequence. Hence, we develop a habit. We make an initial choice of about how much toothpaste we need, and that is what we do.
Habits are important shortcuts for the brain, and they are extremely helpful—if they are good habits. Bad habits have the same functions, and the same ability to replicate actions without conscious thought. To correct a bad habit requires significant mental effort.
The agency built into our earth experience requires more than habit. It requires making thoughtful choices. In the case of the great and spacious building we have the image of Lehi’s opposition. There is no true opposition unless it is an attractive choice. Choosing to pick up a hot pan with a potholder or a bare hand is a choice, but not one we are likely to mistake very often. Real opposition is more often a good/better/best type of choice than a good/bad choice.
The great and spacious building is certainly the world and the opinions of the world. It isn’t a rundown shack with destitute people mocking. It is attractive. It is full of people we might want to be.
There are times when the attraction of the good, or even the better, of the world can distract us from the taste that we have had of the best.