“Lesson 4: The Fall of Adam and Eve,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 13–17
“Lesson 4,” Primary 6: Old Testament, 13–17
Lesson 4
The Fall of Adam and Eve
Purpose
To help the children understand the fall of Adam and Eve and to have a desire to return to the presence of Heavenly Father.
Preparation
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Prayerfully study:
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Moses 2:27–28—Adam and Eve are commanded to be fruitful and multiply.
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Moses 3:8–9, 15–17—The tree of knowledge and the tree of life.
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Moses 4—The fall of Adam and Eve.
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Moses 5:9–12—Adam and Eve praise God and are glad for the Fall.
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LDS Bible Dictionary “Fall of Adam and Eve” (p. 670).
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Additional reading:
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Gospel Principles, chapter 6, “The Fall of Adam and Eve.”
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2 Nephi 2:14–27—The importance of opposition.
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Alma 42:2–9—Spiritual and temporal death.
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Helaman 14:16–17—Christ redeems us from both deaths.
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Genesis 3—The fall of Adam and Eve.
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Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson.
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Materials needed:
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A Bible and a Pearl of Great Price for each child.
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A Book of Mormon and a Doctrine and Covenants.
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Four small, undesirable items—such as a bottle cap, twig, or wad of tissue—with string tied around each one; one small object to represent something of value (such as a ring to symbolize eternal life) with string tied around it; and a small bag or container (see the attention activity).
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Pictures 6-2, The Garden of Eden; 6-3, God the Father and Jesus Christ; and 6-4, Adam and Eve (Gospel Art Picture Kit 101; 62461).
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Suggested Lesson Development
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Enrichment Activities
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
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Place the picture of Adam and Eve next to the one of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Explain that when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, they could walk and talk with Heavenly Father and Jesus. To help the children understand why the result of Adam and Eve’s choice is known as the Fall, take the picture of Adam and Eve and move it down below the picture of God the Father and Jesus Christ as you tell of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve “fell” or were removed from the presence of God. Explain that because Adam and Eve could no longer freely associate with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, this is referred to as the Fall. Adam and Eve’s separation from Heavenly Father and Jesus began mortal life on earth and was an important step in the great plan of happiness.
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Discuss the second article of faith. Explain that some people believe that we will all be punished because Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit. It was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that this is not true. Jesus paid the price for Adam and Eve’s transgression. We will be held responsible for the wrong choices we make, but not for the choices of others. Help the children memorize this article of faith.
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At the top of a piece of paper or on the chalkboard write the words Because of Adam and Eve and invite the children to share ideas that fit under this heading, such as:
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We could choose to be born on the earth.
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We know good from evil.
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We became separated from Heavenly Father.
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We will someday die.
Help the children understand that we were happy to have the chance to come to earth (see Job 38:7). We would not have had this opportunity if Adam and Eve had not partaken of the forbidden fruit. We needed a chance to prove that we could choose good over evil. Gaining a physical body, having the privilege of choice, being separated from God, and being subject to death were all part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us to become like him.
Write another heading: “Because of Jesus Christ.” List and explain the following blessings:
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We will live again after we die.
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We can return to Heavenly Father if we will repent.
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We have a perfect example to follow.
Give the children each a piece of paper and pencil and have them write Because of Adam and Eve at the top and Because of Jesus Christ in the middle. Encourage the children to take the paper home and discuss with their families the things we have and the things we will be able to do because of Adam and Eve and Jesus Christ.
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On the chalkboard or on two strips of paper write Resurrection and Return to Heavenly Father. Make the following wordstrips and let the children take turns choosing one and placing it under the correct heading:
Ask the children who made these things possible (Jesus Christ, following the plan of Heavenly Father). These blessings are our Savior’s great gifts to us. Through him we can overcome the conditions of the Fall and return to our Father in Heaven.
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Ask the children to think of opposites—such as happy and sad, hot and cold, hard and soft, smooth and rough, heavy and light, high and low, or fast and slow—to illustrate the importance of opposition (see 2 Nephi 2:11, 15). Let the children describe their experiences with opposites. To help them get started, you might use the following examples: After someone has been sick, they can better appreciate feeling well. Or without darkness, you cannot recognize light, which is why you cannot see the stars during the day. To illustrate this second example, you might bring a flashlight and show how its light is barely noticeable in a well-lit room, but the light is much brighter when you darken the room.
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Sing or read the words to “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, p. 34).
Conclusion
Testimony
Have someone read the testimony of Adam and Eve from Moses 5:10–12. Express your appreciation for what Adam and Eve did for us. Testify that because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected and can choose to become like Heavenly Father and return to his presence.
Suggested Family Sharing
Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Suggested Home Reading
Suggest that the children study Moses 5:9–12 at home as a review of this lesson.
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.