The Fall of Adam And Eve

Gospel Basics Series: The Plan of Salvation

Adam and Eve were the first of God’s children on earth. Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden just before being sent to earth. They enjoyed God’s presence in the Garden of Eden and everything was provided for their needs. They lived in innocence, not knowing the difference between good and evil.

God gave them their agency and commanded them to not eat of the forbidden fruit, or the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By obeying this commandment meant that they would stay in the Garden of Eden forever. It also meant that they could not have children or progress. They would never face opposition, suffer pains or afflictions but they would never have joy. Facing opposition leads to joy.

Satan tempted Adam and Eve to partake of the fruit, and they did it. It was God’s plan that they partake of the fruit. They were sent to earth, where they had to work and sweat for their daily sustenance. They were also shut out of God’s physical presence, which is spiritual death.

Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit and being sent to earth to work out their own salvation are known as the fall, one of the great events of the plan of the plan of salvation.

The great advantage of the fall was Adam and Eve had much greater agency to choose God, because their opposition was much more. Their greater agency allowed them to progress at much higher levels.

They could also have children, allowing you and I to be born and exercise our agency in a deeper manner than we could in the pre-existence. Facing opposition and evil but instead choosing good is the only way to become like God.

Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; 801-562-8089. You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.