THE FALL
"Just why the Lord would say to Adam that he forbade him to partake of the fruit of the tree is not made clear in the Bible account, but in the original as it comes to us in the Book of Moses it is made definitely clear. It is that the Lord said to Adam that if he wished to remain as he was in the garden, then he was not to eat the fruit, but if he desired to eat it and partake of death he was at liberty to do so. So really it was not in the true sense a transgression of a divine commandment. Adam made the wise decision, in fact the only decision that he could make" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:81).
Questions and Activities
- What does the name Adam mean?
- What does the name Eve mean?
- How was life in the Garden of Eden different from mortal life?
- What are the two deaths that resulted from the Fall?
- How did Adam and Eve fulfill the purposes of God?
- What are the physical effects of the Fall and how do they affect your life?
- What specific examples of the spiritual effects of the Fall do you see in the world?
- How does your knowledge of the effects of the Fall influence the way you view people in your life?
Topical Guide
Bondage, Spiritual
Carnal Mind
Death
Death, Spiritual , First
Fall, Fallen, Fell
Fall of Man
Man, Natural, Not Spiritually Reborn
Mortality
Sin
Spiritual Blindness
Scriptures
2 Nephi 2:15-27, 9:6-10
Mosiah 16
Alma 22:13-14; 42:4-17
D&C 29:40-45
Genesis 3
Moses 4
Articles of Faith 1:2
Bible Dictionary
Adam
Death
Devil
Eden, Garden of
Eve
Fall of Adam
Flesh
Other Sources
Gospel Principles, chapter 6
The Articles of Faith, chapter 3
Knowing that we live in a fallen world, that the physical bodies we have are subject to deterioration, disease, and death, helps me to have perspective. It is a part of our present reality that we will be subject to a degree of suffering because of it. But I love what Jesus said, that we come into this world and have tribulation, but we should be of good cheer because he has overcome the world.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so grateful for the atonement. I know that all things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame. That gives me great hope and something to look forward to. My Anne Marie, who was born with neuro-muscular defects and severe club feet, will be made whole! Praise be to God.