The Importance of Adam and Eve
Because Adam and Eve fell, we are all able to come to earth to receive a body, learn, and become more like God and Jesus Christ so we can return to live with Them again someday.
Who were Adam and Eve?
Adam and Eve were the first two people to come to earth and receive a body. They lived as husband and wife in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where they experienced no opposition and therefore had no understanding of joy or sorrow, pleasure or pain.
While in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in God’s presence. God told them that if they ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they would become mortal and be cast out of the Garden of Eden and His presence. However, they were given the power to choose for themselves.
How did Adam and Eve fall?
Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, even though God had commanded them not to. This compelled Adam and Eve to leave God’s presence and brought about a condition known as the Fall. Many Christian religions teach that Adam and Eve sinned and that we are all punished because of their wrong choice.
However, we believe otherwise. Our second article of faith states, “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” Though Adam and Eve did disobey God’s commandment and had to experience the consequences, their choice was an important part of God’s plan.
Core Beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
What does the Fall of Adam and Eve mean for us?
Adam and Eve left paradise to seek progression. Because they ate the fruit, we all have the opportunity to be born on the earth and to learn and progress. We all can learn the difference between good and evil, experience joy, and grow and become better. We will also all experience sadness and, eventually, death. But because Jesus Christ gave His life for us, we can all overcome the effects of the Fall. We will all be resurrected, and if we live righteously and follow Jesus, we can all be redeemed and return to live with God again.