Agency and the Fall of Adam And Eve

  Adam and Eve were the first of God’s children to come to the earth. They were created in God's image and were placed in the Garden of Eden. While Adam and Eve were in the garden, they walked and talked with God. They were in His presence and were in a state of innocence. They could have lived there forever and God provided for their needs.

  While in the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve their agency, or the ability to choose. God told them that they must not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Moses 3:16–17).

  Obeying this commandment meant that they would be able to live forever in the presence of God. However, they would not be able to progress, for they knew not good and evil. By partaking of the fruit, opposition would come to pass which would lead them to experience joy, sorrow, and pain (2 Nephi 2:22-23).
   Satan tempted Adam and Eve and got them to partake of the fruit. However, this was part of our Heavenly Father's plan (2 Nephi 2:24). It seems like the "Christian World" seems to frown upon our first parents for partaking of the fruit. Often times I have heard people say that we would all be so happy if they just wouldn't have partaken. That isn't true at all - for we would not even be here if they wouldn't have partaken!
  After Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, they received consequences for their actions and were cast from the garden and out of God's physical presence. This event is referred to as the "fall" of Adam and Eve. When they fell, they became mortal. They were now susceptible to sin and death, or separation of the body and spirit. They could now experience disease and all types of suffering. Because they now had their moral agency, they were able to choose between good and evil and this made it possible for them to learn and progress. It also made it possible for them to make wrong choices and to sin. In addition, they could now have children, so the rest of God’s spirit children could come to earth, obtain physical bodies, and be tested. Only in this way could God’s children progress and become like Him.


Other "Fall of Adam" Scripture References:  Mormon 9:12-14, Genesis 3, Moses 4