Elder Linder

Part 2 of “Divine Foreknowledge and Free Will: Understanding God’s Chess Game”

In my previous post, we explored how God, like a chess grandmaster, sees all possible variations of our choices while respecting our agency. Today, we’ll examine what happens after those initial choices are made—how God works with our decisions in the complex “middle game” of mortality.

In chess, the middle game begins once players have made their opening moves and developed their pieces. This phase is characterized by intricate combinations, strategic adjustments, and constant adaptation to the opponent’s choices. Similarly, God’s interaction with us involves continuous adaptation to our choices while maintaining His divine purposes.

Consider the story of Laman and Lemuel, which reveals God as the ultimate strategic player. Throughout their journey to the promised land, God made multiple strategic “moves”—angelic visitations, prophetic warnings, and divine chastisement—each representing a genuine opportunity for them to change their course. Like a grandmaster offering advantageous positions to their opponent, God repeatedly presented them with chances for redemption. If their fall into apostasy was predetermined or inevitable, why would He expend such effort to turn them from their path?

Each divine intervention opened up new possible variations in their life’s game, branches where they could have chosen differently. Their story demonstrates that God’s foreknowledge doesn’t predetermine the game’s outcome; rather, He actively creates opportunities for better moves while maintaining contingency plans for every possible response. As Lehi taught his sons, “ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life” (2 Nephi 2:27). This wasn’t merely theoretical—it was a genuine choice with real possibilities for different game outcomes.

Even apparent setbacks become opportunities in God’s divine strategy. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery—a move born of jealousy and hatred—God transformed this betrayal into a position of power that would save countless lives. As Joseph would later recognize, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20). In both cases, God didn’t cause the tragedy but masterfully incorporated it into His larger strategic plan, giving meaning to Joseph’s suffering. Through this divine meaning-making, Joseph’s story became not just about personal survival, but about God’s power to redeem and repurpose even our darkest moments for His greater good.

Modern revelation provides another powerful example. When the Saints were driven from Missouri, God revealed that this momentary defeat was actually part of a larger strategic plan: “Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16). Like a chess master who sacrifices a piece for superior position, God sometimes allows temporary setbacks for greater eternal gains.

To suggest these events were predetermined would make God the author of evil rather than its redeemer. Whether working with Laman and Lemuel’s persistent rebellion, Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers, or the Saints’ persecution in Missouri—God demonstrated His divine mastery not by controlling these moves, but by incorporating them into His larger purposes while preserving human agency. His strategic brilliance lies in His ability to work with any choice we make, whether aligned with or contrary to His invitations.

This understanding transforms how we view our own choices and circumstances. Just as a chess player must continually adapt their strategy based on their opponent’s moves, God works with our choices—both good and bad—to accomplish His purposes. This doesn’t mean He causes negative events, but rather that He can incorporate any situation into His divine strategy.

I testify that God is the master strategist of eternity. No choice we make can ultimately defeat His purposes, though our choices do determine how much joy or sorrow we experience along the way. Like a grandmaster who can find the best move in any position, God can work with any situation to accomplish His purposes while still honoring our agency.

In our next post, we’ll explore how God ensures His ultimate victory while preserving our freedom to choose.