"If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." (Moroni 7:33)
Often today when we hear the word "expedient," we think of someone who is doing something for political reasons or to advance their own special interest as opposed to doing something that is just or right. In other words, we take actions that are advisable or practical rather than for moral purposes. This is clearly one meaning of the word "expedient."
However, the word also has a higher sense. Expedient is defined as something that is suitable to a particular circumstance; a means of attaining an end; a resource; and something that is advantageous for a general or a specific purpose. The sense here is fitting or proper.
These senses are very similar to the meaning of the word "expedite," meaning to clear obstacles out of the way, to remove impediments or to free from difficulties. Expedite also has the sense of being ready for immediate use, helping forward or hasten the progress of something, or facilitating. The Latin root for these words comes from "to free from a snare."
There is no Old Testament usage of the word "expedient," but in the New Testament the Greek word that is translated into expedient is "to bear together" or, more figuratively, "to create an advantage for or to make something better; to be good for or profitable for." Expedient has the sense of something that is necessary, not simply convenient.
The word "expedient" is used 110 times in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and seven times in the New Testament, though sometimes the New Testament translates the Greek word into "profitable."
Expedient is used in scripture in a number of the senses described above. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we are taught that, "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you; and if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation" (D&C 88:65-65).
In the Book of Mormon, Jacob, in preaching to his brethren, understands that his duty as a teacher requires him to teach necessary and profitable things, "but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin" (2 Nephi 9:48).
Finally, the Savior teaches the necessity of his leaving this world for the blessings and benefit of believers. "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you" (John 16:7).