Today in institute the topic was Adam and Eve. It reminded me of a story on my mission. There was about 4 of us missionaries sitting at a Wendy's, enjoying our food, when one of the workers there came over to us, and started telling us how we are wrong about Eve, saying her church taught that Eve is one of the most evil people ever. She listened to the devil, she followed his words, and then in turn tempted Adam, and made him partake of the fruit as well. And Adam did no wrong in this incident.
There are many different points of view on this topic, and the Bible doesn't have every single detail. I am grateful that we have been blessed with additional scripture to help us better understand God's ways, and the lives of those who lived before us.
Once Adam and Eve were created by God, God gave them 2 main commandments, multiply and replenish the earth, and do not partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. We don't know how long they were in the garden of Eden. But what we do know is that they were in a child like state. In 2nd Nephi is says the following:
There are many different points of view on this topic, and the Bible doesn't have every single detail. I am grateful that we have been blessed with additional scripture to help us better understand God's ways, and the lives of those who lived before us.
Once Adam and Eve were created by God, God gave them 2 main commandments, multiply and replenish the earth, and do not partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. We don't know how long they were in the garden of Eden. But what we do know is that they were in a child like state. In 2nd Nephi is says the following:
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. 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.
From these few statements we learn so much about the conditions Adam and Eve were in. What this child like state was like. If we look back at our own childhoods we can recognize that we didn't know much, we knew how to make some decisions, but we didn't fully know right from wrong. And Adam and Eve as well didn't know that much, we aren't sure what they knew. But we know that the consequences which came from their decision, brought many great things. They were able to have children, they learned how to recognize joy from misery, feel pain and pleasure.
Many people ask why they had to break the one commandment to fulfill the other. I don't know exactly why, but their are many cases which God commands His people to break one of the commandments He has given us. Like "Thou Shalt not Kill." How many incidents are there where God commanded someone to kill another? Many times, but they all had a purpose for it. Like Nephi was commanded to kill Laban, the Spirit telling him that it is better for one man to perish, then a whole nation dwindle in unbelief. Also God has given us all agency. Have you made a mistake before? Have I? Yes I have, we all have, but what we do after we make the mistake is what counts. What did we learn from this mistake, did we grow from it, or did we just use it as a mistake to rebel against God?
God loves us all, He wants the best for us, and He knows we all will make mistakes, that is why He provided us with a Savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ!
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.
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