By partaking of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve introduced not only physical death but also spiritual death into the world: they were immediately separated from God's presence. He would no longer walk in their garden and have periodic face to face conversations with them. Alma said, "It was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed... Continue Reading →
Mother Eve
Among the biblical characters Joseph F. Smith saw in his vision of the Redemption of the Dead, was "our glorious Mother Eve" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:39). In the Hebrew Bible, her name appears as Chavvah (חַוָּה), which means "life." She was given this name because she was "the mother of all living," or in other... Continue Reading →
The Ancient of Days
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.Job 12:12 There are many reasons for us to love and respect Adam and Eve. As the first man and woman on the earth, they pioneered the way for us, learning by experience so many things which we take for granted.They made our mortal experience possible, making... Continue Reading →
Why Did Adam and Eve Have to Break a Commandment of God? – 2 Nephi 2:15-25
Lehi taught his son Jacob that the Fall of Adam and Eve was a necessary step for their happiness and for ours. He explained what would have happened if they had not eaten the forbidden fruit: Everything would have been stagnant, unchanging. Adam and Eve would not have had children. They would not have experienced joy... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Clarify?
This is the fifth of six posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, and what it fulfills. Today, I will write about what it clarifies. As I wrote yesterday, the Book of... Continue Reading →
What Are the Two “Provocations” Discussed by Alma?
To provoke someone is to incite them to action by arousing a strong emotion, usually anger (Oxford English Dictionary). Psalm 95 describes a provocation. The children of Israel provoked the wrath of God by following Moses reluctantly out of Egypt, by complaining incessantly during their journey, and finally by refusing to enter the promised land because... Continue Reading →
Why Did God Prevent Adam and Eve from Partaking of the Tree of Life?
After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God placed "cherubim and a flaming sword" on the east side of the Garden of Eden. These heavenly sentinels ensured that Adam and Eve could not approach the tree of life and partake of its fruit (Moses 4:31, Genesis 3:24). Why was that... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Fall of Adam and Eve?
The Bible tells the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2-4. Job mentions it once (Job 31:33), and the Apostle Paul discusses it four times in his epistles (Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:11-15). But the Bible never refers to it as "the Fall," and it's implications... Continue Reading →