We use it all the time. The Scriptures are replete with this little word. Will. What does it mean? I've always thought it to be an expression of willingness. As in, I am willing to keep the commandments as is stated in the Sacrament prayer. (See D&C 20:77) Willingness is a wonderful thing. Who will do the dishes, or say the prayer? "I will." Or in other words, "I am willing." Looking it up in the dictionary points out some details that make will even more important as a vital aspect of our mortal experience.
First, will is expressed as a Desire or Wish as expressed as Disposition or Inclination. Is my desire inclined toward righteousness and obedience? Do I wish to please God? Wonderful questions the answers to which, if affirmative, must certainly be indicators of who and how we are. That Desire or Wish may also be expressed as Appetite or Passion. Am I passionate in that desire? Do I have an appetite for righteousness? I certainly have an appetite for food, how would that appetite compare with my appetite for righteousness? Also that Wish or Desire might be expressed as Choice or Determination. Am I determined to be righteous? Is that what I choose?
Can you see how these nuances of meaning spawn questions that help us evaluate our exercise of will? When I say "I will" what is it I really mean? Am I passionate and determined as well as inclined toward that which I've consented to do? Those words make being willing mean a lot more than perhaps, "Aw shucks, I might as well" don't they?
I have often cited the use of the word willing in the Sacrament prayer as an indicator that we are off the hook with regard to being perfectly obedient to the injunctions associate with it. It seemed easier to say I'm willing in that context, that to say I do. The fact of the matter is, too often, I don't. Thankfully, I get to reestablish that commitment on a weekly basis. Still, studying the definition, I think I might not have expressed that willingness with the kind of intent, determination and passion that I might or ought to have.
The Dictionary under will does not indicate will as an inherent right of humans to make choices, but is defined that way under free will. Still in the scriptures and in a gospel context it can also be defined that way standing alone with out the word free. Elder Maxwell defined will as the only
