Studying Chapter 3 of Jesus the Christ. All quotes are from this resource unless otherwise noted.
Genesis 2:8
Moses 3:7
Abraham 1:3
1 Nephi 5:11
Genesis 3
1 Timothy 2:14
2 Corinthians 11:3
Romans 5:12,18
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Leviticus 22:20
Deuteronomy 15:21; 17:1
Malachi 1:8, 14
Hebrews 9:14
1 Peter 1:19
"Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression," 1 Timothy 2:14. This is eye opening to me. Although I've known for some time that the Fall came about because Eve fed the fruit to Adam, I never realized that Adam was never deceived. Eve sinned but Adam chose to follow, not because he thought the fruit was delicious or because he wanted to gain knowledge, but because he knew he was commanded to keep Eve as his wife. He couldn't do that if Eve was cast out and he remained in the Garden alone. Adam transgressed to save this union. Yes, at some level I knew this...but...to see the fact in black and white provided epiphany.
"Through sophistries, half-truths and infamous falsehoods of the arch-tempter, the woman was deceived, and in direct violation of counsel and commandment partook of the food that had been forbidden, as a result of which act her body became degenerate and subject to death. Adam realized the disparity that had been brought between him and his companion, and with some measure of understanding followed her course, thus becoming her partner in bodily degeneracy...The man and the woman had now become mortal; through indulgence in food unsuited to their nature and condition and against which they had been specifically warned, and as the inevitable result of their disobeying the divine law and commandment, they became liable to the physical ailments and bodily frailties to which mankind has since been the natural heir."
Although Adam and Eve are alone responsible for their acts of transgression and sin respectively, the consequences of their choices have been felt by every one of their descendants. This is true for all members of all families. Certainly our choices are our own. However, when we do bad things, it can negatively impact our family, friends, and neighbors. Likewise, your good choices provide good examples and don't harm those we love or our communities.
"Death has come to be the universal heritage; it may claim its victim in infancy or youth, in the period of life's prime, or its summons may be deferred until the snows of age have gathered upon the hoary head; it may befall as the result of accident or disease, by violence, or as we say, through natural causes; but come it must."
Thus the only perfect soul that ever would walk the earth, Jesus Christ, stood in the wings to save the physical posterity of Adam and spiritual posterity of God, The Eternal Father.
I find it interesting that wrong food caused the denigration of the body from immortal to mortal. In some ways today the same choice is presented to each living being. God ordained some foods for the use of man: herbs (vegetables), fruits, grains, and pulse (legumes). In case of famine, He gives permission for His children to eat the flesh of beasts, fish, and fowl. He tells us to stay away from stimulants and not to partake of animals unless there is great need. He tells us to eat the proper foods in the proper amounts, avoiding gluttony. Listening to God's command and counsel, we will run and not be weary, walk and not faint. In other words, we choose to be as strong as our mortal bodies allow. If we don't follow these commands, our bodies won't be as healthy as they could be but will become subject to early disease and death. But...we are free to choose life or death. God will never force us to live His principles and allows us to reap the consequences, good or bad. Everywhere in the scriptures parallels and foreshadowings can open our eyes to truth if we study and listen with our spiritual ears and eyes.
