Gospel Message Day 364

Fall of Adam and Eve

I can't believe I haven't covered this topic, yet. I feel like I've written about it. I suppose because so many Gospel topics overlap, I've probably referred to it in things about the Atonement and Plan of Salvation. Well, what we tend to shorten to The Fall was an important part of the Plan of Salvation. It is the 2nd of 3 pillars of the Plan. The first pillar had to be the Creation. We had to have a world on which we could be tested. But we had to get there for the testing! Adam and Eve's fall was crucial to enable us to come and be tested, and I firmly believe it was not a mistake on Eve's part but a conscious decision for us. And to be saved from that fall, Christ had to come to atone for each of us.

People often confuse the fact that Adam and Eve fell, and that we are thus guilty, too. No. We are not going to be punished for what they did. We are punished for our own sins. (Article of Faith 2). The Fall put them from an immortal state to a mortal state, one in which they could bring children into this world. It put them in a position where they and subsequently their posterity could be tried and tested in order to prove to our Father and to our Savior that we could be obedient to the commandments we have been given.

Always loved the scripture in the Book of Mormon, which sums up the truth of the Fall:
"Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2: )

But to dispel what people get wrong about it, there are the rest of the verses in that chapter (2 Nephi 2:19-27, emphasis added):

And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden ofEden, to till the earth.

 20 And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of all the earth.

 21 And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents.

 22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

 26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.