WHY THE FALL OF ADAM WAS NECESSARY… (Given August 18, 2003 at Campus Education Week by Robert J. Matthews) A small part of that talk follows:

…”The Holy Bible, as wonderful as it is, has lost much of the clarity and detail that it once had. Careful comparison of the Bible with latter-day revelation soon brings you to an awareness that while the Bible might mention what happened, it’s in latter-day revelation that you usually learn why it happened.

This is true about many topics and especially is it so with the fall of Adam. Without the help of latter-day revelation, no one can understand the true significance of the fall, nor avoid forming some false notions, concerning it.

{2nd Nephi 2:22-23 helps us to avoid some of these false notions. It says:

22. And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the Garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

What that passage means is both righteousness and wickedness can exist and have value only in contrast to each other.}

I now wish to read three examples of what often happens when someone attempts to explain the fall of Adam using the Bible alone.

The first statement is from a publication called, A Concise Bible Dictionary, printed by Cambridge University, page 56, and is an official statement of the Church of England:

‘Fall –This word denotes the first entrance of sin into the world as described in Genesis Chapter 3. At a certain point, in the history of the race, the development took a wrong turn, which was not in accordance with God’s original purpose.’ That’s the end of the quote.

Perhaps I should mention that for nearly half a century this statement was in the dictionary in the back of the missionary bible used by LDS missionaries.

This and other similar problematic, doctrinal misstatements of that dictionary were the reasons why the Church decided to publish its own addition of the King James Version of the Bible with an improved dictionary in 1979.

{Let’s look in the LDS Bible Dictionary and see what is said there about the fall of Adam:

Fall of Adam. The process by which mankind became mortal on this earth. The event is recorded in Gen. 2, 3, 4; and Moses 3, 4. The fall of Adam is one of the most important occurrences in the history of man. Before the fall, Adam and Eve had physical bodies but no blood. There was no sin, no death, and no children among any of the earthly creations. With the eating of the “forbidden fruit,” Adam and Eve became mortal, sin entered, blood formed in their bodies, and death became a part of life.
Adam became the “first flesh” upon the earth (Moses 3:7), meaning that he and Eve were the first to become mortal.

After Adam fell, the whole creation fell and became mortal. Adam’s fall brought both physical and spiritual death into the world upon all mankind (Hel. 14:16–17).

The fall was no surprise to the Lord. It was a necessary step in the progress of man, and provisions for a Savior had been made even before the fall had occurred. Jesus Christ came to atone for the fall of Adam and also for man’s individual sins.

Latter-day revelation supports the biblical account of the fall, showing that it was a historical event that literally occurred in the history of man.

Many points in latter-day revelation are also clarified that are not discernible from the Bible. Among other things it makes clear that the fall is a blessing, and that Adam and Eve should be honored in their station as the first parents of the earth. (LDS Bible Dictionary, pg. 670)}

Now the second quote, showing what happens when we attempt to explain the fall of Adam by using the Bible alone is: an excerpt from, The Catholic Encyclopedia for School and Home, published in 1965, page 217. Speaking of mankind’s fall as recorded in Genesis, Chapter 3, we read:

‘The account quite clearly is intended to tell mankind, one, that sin entered the world by man’s free choice, not by the will of God or by the necessity of faith.

Two, that because of sin, man’s condition is not what God intended or what it would have been if the head of the race had not willfully caused his own fall from grace and that of his descendants.’ That’s the end of the second quote.

The third selection if from, A Practical Catholic Dictionary, published in 1957, page 91, under the heading, Fall of Man:

‘God had given them, Adam and Eve, much natural happiness in the Garden of Paradise. Sickness or suffering was unknown to them and they were never to die. If Adam had not sinned, these gifts would have been passed on to his descendants.’ (What descendants?)

I did not read these statements to belittle the authors, who were no doubt sincere and devout. But having only the Biblical record, they could not know the real reasons and circumstances of the fall. We do not pretend to be more intelligent or better readers than other people. We simply have more scripture to read.

We ought to rejoice every day that we have the glorious saving light of latter-day revelation. As we examine the three previous statements, we can learn at least four things: One, all of the writers were certain that God did not want the fall the occur.

Two, they all assumed that Adam and Eve could have children before the fall. Three, they believed that the posterity of Adam and Eve would have lived a wonderful, carefree life in paradise, if Adam had not fallen and that Adam had thus brought a detrimental condition upon his family. Four, they thought that Adam had obstructed God’s original purpose and caused the human race to take a wrong turn.

Perhaps a major item in which latter-day revelation would take issue with these three authors is that none of them understood that Adam and Eve could not have children without the fall. This most fundamental concept is lost from the Bible and hence those authors did not perceive it.

Two other passages should also be read at this time. The first is from Eve herself saying: ‘Were it not for our transgression, we never should have had seed’ (Moses 5:11
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The other is from Enoch who proclaimed, ‘Because that Adam fell, we are and by his fall came death.’ (Moses 6:48)

Thus in the mouths of three witnesses, Lehi, Eve and Enoch, we confirm the fact that without the fall, there would have been no human family on this earth and Adam and Eve would still be in the Garden of Eden, without any babies and we would be nervously waiting in our first estate, wondering, when in the world are we going to be born.

A second very basic truth that is not clearly specified in the Bible, but mightily proclaimed in latter-day scripture is that conditions in the Garden of Eden were not complete, nor were they conducive of the kind of experience needed in mankind’s second estate in order to prove and prepare us for exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God.

What was needed was a mortal experience and the garden did not provide that. (For instance, fruits & flowers grew spontaneously without any work on the part of Adam and Eve. Pres. Marion G. Romney stated that ‘when the earth was cursed for Adam’s sake it was actually a blessing, for idleness is pernicious,’ that is, idleness produces long term negative effects, like laziness.)

Perhaps many of us have failed to grasp the significance of the need for a tough, mortal second estate and not a paradisiacal second estate.

In the garden there was purity and innocence, but untested innocence is not as powerful as innocence that has survived under stress and trial. Strength of character and righteousness are more than mere innocence.

Great character cannot be conferred upon a person unless that person is tempered. Only the experience of contrast and (agency) can do that… The need for a (tough) mortal second estate is a (most) important matter.

Please notice that the conditions in the Garden of Eden were unable to provide what mankind needs to experience maximum spiritual need and character growth.

Now at this point in our learning, we know that a fulness of joy is only obtainable with a body and thru certain experiences. Therefore, we could say, Adam fell that we might have a body and Adam fell that we might have a fullness of joy.

President Brigham Young spoke often…about the principles of opposition and contrast, published by Deseret Book Company, 1946 printing, he said:

‘Some may regret that our first parents sinned. This is nonsense. If we had been there and they had not sinned we should have sinned. I will not blame Adam or Eve. Why?

Because it was necessary that sin enter into the world. No man could ever understand the principle of exaltation without it’s opposite…’

Without constant nourishment from the Lord, humans would be as a branch severed from the vine… Jesus said, without me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

…I will now read seven vital questions and give my response to them. These questions have all been asked of me, some time or other in my lifetime.

Number One: If mortality is essential, why did not the Lord simply create man mortal?

It is a matter of agency and accountability. If God made men sinners, man would not be responsible for his behavior. Man must do all he is able to do toward his own salvation. Since the fall was a necessary attainment, and Adam and Eve were capable of bringing it about, they were therefore required to do so.

Number Two: Would it even be possible for Heavenly Father to create a fallen and a mortal man?

I do not think that Heavenly Father could have created man fallen and mortal, for He lives and works by celestial, spiritual law and not by the mortal, temporal law of this fallen world. God performs no temporal or carnal work. We read in D&C 29:34-35 that all things to God are spiritual. In both the spirit and the body, Adam and Eve are the actual, literal children of a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother and thus they were without death or sin in their condition in the garden. They had to make themselves mortal.

Number Three: Were Adam and Eve capable of having any children before the fall?

This is a subject of discussion by many because in 2nd Nephi 2:23 we read that they would have had no children. It does not say they could have had no children. However, the real purpose would not have been served if they had had children before the fall. What was needed was mortal children and that required the fall. Children born before the fall would not be mortal.

Number Four: If Adam and Eve could not procreate before the fall, why did the Lord command them to do it?

Often commandments are given with a long view, rather than immediate fulfillment. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: ‘Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect.’ Such is an ultimate command, not immediately available, but within the reach, thru the Father’s eternal plan. The command to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish is of the same order, it is an eventual fulfillment.

Number Five: Was the fall therefore planned by the Father?

Yes, the purposes of God, that prompted the creation, are also required in the fall. You know the tree that had the, so called forbidden fruit, was in the midst of the garden, for easy access.

Number Six: Well then, couldn’t the fall have been accomplished in some other way?

No, the fall was not an experiment. Remember the words of Lehi, ‘all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.’ It was according to the established order of the kingdom of God.

Finally Number Seven: If the fall is so important why is it not explained clearly in the scriptures?

The fall is taught plainly in latter-day scriptures, just as clearly as the atonement is taught. It is when we try to harmonize the Father’s plan with worldly philosophy that everything seems difficult.

Let us hear this explanation put forth by Elder Bruce R. McConkie: ‘Remember that the fall was made possible because an Infinite Creator in the primal day made the earth and man and all forms of life in such a state that they could fall.

This fall involved a change of status. All things were so created that they could fall or change and thus was introduced the type and kind of existence, needed to put into operation all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s plan of salvation
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The coming fall would take Adam and Eve downward and forward but onward. Death and procreation had yet to enter the world. That death and the opportunity for procreation would be Adam’s gift to man; and then the gift of God would be eternal life thru Jesus Christ our Lord.

Be it remembered, the atonement came because of the fall. Christ paid the ransom for Adam’s transgression. If there had been no fall, there would have been no atonement, with its consequence, immortality and eternal life. Thus, just as surely as salvation comes because of the atonement, so also salvation comes because of the fall.’ (Christ and the Creation, Ensign Magazine, June 1982, page 9)

Now of all that we have said, this is the sum: The creation would have been incomplete without the fall and the atonement. Mortality is an essential step in man’s salvation.

The fall was necessary to bring mortality. Thus God’s purposes in the creation would have been unattainable without the fall and the atonement.

I am thankful beyond words of expression for the bright light of latter-day revelation, which makes known the purposes of our life on earth. Our Savior’s terrible agony and suffering was not designed simply to restore mankind to the Garden of Eden, but it was designed to enable us to become exalted and become like the Father and that is far, far better, than the Garden of Eden…”

GREATER CONSECRATION

I happened upon a 1992 talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell entitled, 'Settle This in Your Hearts,' that spoke to me of my own life and the life of other LDS members. I share a part of that talk with you:

“…These comments are for the essentially “honorable” members who are skimming over the surface instead of deepening their discipleship and who are casually engaged rather than “anxiously engaged.” (D&C 76:75; D&C 58:27.) Though nominal in their participation, their reservations and hesitations inevitably show through. They may even pass through our holy temples, but, alas, they do not let the holy temples pass through them.

Such members accept callings but not all of the accompanying responsibilities; hence, their Church chores must often be done by those already “anxiously engaged…”

All are free to choose, of course, and we would not have it otherwise. Unfortunately, however, when some choose slackness, they are choosing not only for themselves, but for the next generation and the next…

While casual members are not unrighteous, they often avoid appearing to be too righteous by seeming less committed than they really are—an ironic form of hypocrisy.
Some of these otherwise honorable members mistakenly regard the Church as an institution, but not as a kingdom. They know the doctrines of the kingdom, but more as a matter of recitation than of real comprehension.

Casual members are usually very busy with the cares and the things of the world—much as honorable Amulek once was. Called many times, he would not hear. He really knew concerning the truths of the gospel, but Amulek would not acknowledge that he knew. (Alma 10:4–6.)

One common characteristic of the honorable but slack is their disdain for the seemingly unexciting duties of discipleship, such as daily prayer, regular reading of the scriptures, attendance at sacrament meeting, paying a full tithe, and participating (fully) in the holy temples.

Such disdain is especially dangerous in today’s world of raging relativism and of belching sensualism, a world in which, if many utter the name of Deity at all, it is only as verbal punctuation or as an expression of exclamation, not adoration!

In contrast, those sincerely striving for greater consecration neither cast off their commitments nor the holy garment. They avoid obscenity, keep the law of chastity, pay their tithes, and love and serve their spouses and children. As good neighbors, they “bear one another’s burdens,” “mourn with those that mourn,” “comfort those … in need of comfort,” and valiantly “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” (Mosiah 18:8–9.)…

Consecration is the only surrender which is also a victory. It brings release from the (rowdy), overpopulated cell block of selfishness and emancipation from the dark prison of pride…
But is being consecrated and “swallowed up” a threat to our individuality? (See Mosiah 15:7.) No! Heavenly Father is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new and the real self. It is not a question of losing our identity but of finding our true identity!

When, at last, we are truly pointed homeward, then the world’s pointing fingers of scorn can better be endured. As we come to know to Whom we belong, the other forms of belonging cease to mean very much.

Likewise, as Jesus begins to have a real place in our lives, we are much less concerned with losing our places in the world. When our minds really catch hold of the significance of Jesus’ atonement, the world’s hold on us loosens. (See Alma 36:18.)

Increased consecration is not so much a demand for more hours of Church work as it is for more awareness of Whose work this really is! For now, consecration may not require giving up worldly possessions so much as being less possessed by them.”…

THE RESURRECTION

(Taken primarily from an Education Week talk given by former BYU Dean of Religious Education, Dr. Robert J. Matthews entitled, Resurrection and the Spirit World in August of 2007 – Also taken from another talk by the same author, entitled, Resurrection, The Ultimate Triumph)

“The term resurrection comes from two words: the prefix re-, meaning “to repeat’ or ‘do again’, and surgere, meaning ‘to rise’, as with a strong impulse or surge. A resurrection is to be brought back to life; to have a resurge of life or power.” (Robert J. Matthews, Gospel Scholars Series: Selected Writings of Robert J. Matthews, pg. 505-506)

‘Of all the victories in human history, none is so great, none so universal in its effect, none so everlasting in its consequences as the victory of the crucified Lord who came forth in the resurrection that first Easter morning.’ (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Dec 1992, pg. 2)

‘Resurrection: The Ultimate Triumph’ is a phrase borrowed from President Howard W. Hunter, who said: ‘The doctrine of the Resurrection is the single most fundamental and crucial doctrine in the Christian religion. It cannot be overemphasized, nor can it be disregarded. Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles…’

During World War II, a young man whom I knew was killed in battle in the South Pacific. I was in his parents’ home shortly thereafter and observed their deep sorrow. Although this was a Latter-day Saint family, the father stated that if his son had died on land and received a burial he would expect to see him again, but (since) he was blown apart in the sea and no doubt eaten by fish, the father said he had no hope or expectation of the young man ever being resurrected.

I was only sixteen and relatively unfamiliar with the scriptures or the teachings of the Brethren, yet a feeling came over me that what the father said was not doctrinally correct. I didn’t say anything, but I knew within me that the plan of God was better than that and could not be frustrated.

I have not seen the family since that day, but their pain was more severe than it would have been if they had had a stronger faith and testimony of Christ’s victory over death. With what we know about the law of restoration, the ordinances of the priesthood, and of Jesus’ ultimate triumph over death, we know assuredly that not only will the young man be resurrected with his own body, whole and complete, but we can contemplate that his once-reluctant father, who ached under the sting of death, might even be the very one to exercise this priesthood ordinance.

There are awful limitations placed upon the devil and his angels. Because they rejected the Father’s plan, they will never have a body. The consequence of their choice is that they are damned or stopped in their progress. Not having a body means not having a lot of other things too: never a fullness of joy; never become like God; never have a posterity.

Next, disembodied spirits in the next life will eventually long to be reunited with the body [D&C 138:50]. That is, they'll long for a resurrected body. Not for the worn out, tired, weakened mortal body.

When will our pre-earth memory be restored to us? I think it's a general feeling among our people that your pre-mortal life memory is restored to you as soon as you die. But in the absence of a categorical statement of when our pre-mortal memory will be activated, I don't expect it will occur before our resurrection.

There would probably be no need for it to occur to the general run of mankind before the resurrection and the final judgment. We are all moving toward the world of spirits. The spirit world is an extension of our earth life.

Our ancestors and departed family and friends who are already there know that we will join them eventually. They are aware of us - they probably pray for us.

Now some questions. When we go, will we remember our mortal life? Does this church exist there? And if so, does it have the same name that it has here?

How could the answers be otherwise than yes, yes, and yes to these questions. Now the resurrection of the dead - the re-embodied state. We now come to the last segment of man's journey, the resurrection from the dead. Resurrection is mankind's final condition; permanent and all-inclusive.

No man woman or child will be left behind; in fact, it applies to all forms of life. ... I will now touch upon a few essential features of the resurrection that have been revealed in the scriptures and the teachings of the prophets. Resurrection is necessary because of the fall of Adam. The resurrection of mankind is made possible only because of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He alone has the power to overcome the effects of the fall of Adam, which brought death of the body and also death of the spirit. Now death of the body I call the cemetery death.
Death of the spirit doesn't mean the spirit dies, but it means to be separated from the presence of God. Death actually means separation.

It was in that far distant past that our spirits learned the value of flesh and bones, and yearned for such a body, that we could become like God. We have been working toward that ultimate goal ever since. The glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as our great example has been in our hearts in every phase of our existence, from pre-mortal to mortal and will be in the post-mortal and onward, right up to the moment of our resurrection.

... Now a personal comment about resurrection. It is my conviction that all human beings are created in the express image of the bodies of our Heavenly Parents. Our spirit body and our physical body resemble each other and each has the corresponding parts, features, organs, and likeness that the other has. These are also the features of the bodies of our Heavenly Parents.

Resurrected bodies have size, shape, weight, and they occupy space. They have every limb, joint, hair, and body parts that are natural to the physical body. And they enjoy never ending youth without sickness or pain. They eat, drink, digest food, and have bodily warmth. They have spirit fluid in their veins instead of red blood, and they do not require sleep. ...

Everything that has a spirit, everything that has had breath, and everything that has died on this earth shall be resurrected. It is all because of Jesus Christ: He said, "I am the resurrection."

The following talk was given by Dr. David J. Ridges, on August 17, 2009, at BYU Education Week, entitled, 'The Doctrine & Covenants, a Treasury of What’s, Why’s and How’s.' (Many topics were discussed. This is only a very small part of his excellent talk. For more info, check it out on byu.org).

"What is the word of the Lord considering a pretty hot topic today, namely, the equality of men and women?

Are husbands and wives truly equal when it comes to the plan of salvation, the great plan of happiness, which the Father has for his children? There is so much of misunderstanding and intentional conflict on this matter in today’s world. Satan is obviously promoting abuse and stirring up animosity among men and women on this topic, as you are well aware.

What is the point of doctrine that provides eternal truth on this vital issue? We will use a part of verse 19 in Doctrine & Covenants Section 132 to set the stage for the answer and then verse 20.

19. (a small part of verse 19 reads): If a man marry a wife by My word, which is My law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power (and so forth, all the proper authority and then verse 20…)

20. Then shall they be gods, (Who is they?...The husband and wife) because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

We will include a quote from: 'The Family, A Proclamation to the World,' which also contains the word of the Lord on this matter, a very important quote by his prophets in Sept of 1995: In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners, that’s the final word of the Lord on this whole issue."