The Fall

From the scriptures, we learn that the two biggest events in our modern history are the Atonement and the Fall of Adam. The Atonement comes as a byproduct of the fall. The fall was completely necessary for our progression and ability to be born, to learn and progress, and moreover to be saved. We learn from the scriptures about the circumstances surrounding the fall. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and were commanded to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The byproduct of the breaking of this commandment was that they would die the spiritual death, or be cast out from God’s presence. They broke this commandment after being tempted by Satan, and were indeed cast out from the presence of God, out of the Garden which was left to their care. They became mortal, being subject to physical death, pain, sin, and all the other human emotions that we experience. This is the definition of the common term that we use, The Fall.
So how does this affect us? You and I, as mortal human beings, inherit these circumstances. This is often viewed as unwanted, or as a wretched terrible thing. We, as members of the church, have learned that the Fall was necessary to the progression and overall existence of mankind. We are separated from the presence of our Father, and must learn and act for ourselves. This is taught in 2 Nephi 2:16, it reads, “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” This was God’s plan from the very beginning, that we should have our agency to choose as we wish. We run into the problem that although we are His children, born with divine nature in each of us, each of us is imperfect and unworthy to stand before Him. This is where the Atonement comes into play. The Atonement overcomes the fall and makes it so that although we sin and fall short, we can return to the presence of God.
I had a significant experience teaching the fall of man while on my mission several times. This was generally a common misconception in Europe, that the fall was the Ursuende, the original sin. It was interesting to see people comprehend the fact that this event was actually necessary to our existence here on this earth. I enjoyed teaching it as a part of the plan of salvation, and seeing the light that came into people’s eyes as they recognized that they understood for the first time. The fall and the Atonement were and are an essential part of that.

I am also grateful for the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:25, which says, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy.” It is a nice reminder that we are not meant to be strictly here to learn and move on, but that this earth was created as a way for us to find true joy. I believe that true joy can be found through a better understanding of the fall of Adam and the necessary nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

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