Have you ever wondered about the true story behind the Garden of Eden? When we study the purity of Eve and her choice to partake of the fruit, our entire perspective beautifully changes. The world often misunderstands this story, placing the blame for mortality entirely on her shoulders.
However, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ paints a completely different and profoundly inspiring picture. The embedded document below contains a beautiful collection of 21 apostolic quotes detailing the events in Eden. By reading these inspired words, you will gain a massive amount of respect for our first parents and their courageous choices.
The True Nature of the Garden of Eden
To fully understand the purity of Eve, we first have to understand the environment she lived in. In the Garden of Eden, our first parents lived in a state of absolute innocence. They had physical bodies, but no blood flowed through their veins, meaning they could not experience physical death.
Because they lived in this pristine, immortal state, they also could not have children. They knew no sorrow, no pain, and no opposition of any kind. While this sounds like a perfect paradise, it completely halted their eternal progression and the progression of the human family.
Understanding the Purity of Eve and Her Partnership
Modern prophets and apostles have repeatedly emphasized the incredible purity of Eve. She was not a weak, easily deceived woman who accidentally ruined God’s perfect plan. Instead, she was one of the most valiant, righteous spirits to ever live in the premortal existence.
President Russell M. Nelson beautifully taught about the symbolic creation of Eve from Adam’s rib. He explained that the rib signifies a lateral relationship as completely equal partners. They were designed by God to work and live side by side, united in their eternal purpose.
Latter-day Saints honor her as a glorious mother and a profoundly wise partner to Adam. When she was confronted with the choice to partake of the fruit, she faced a massive dilemma. She had to choose between staying in comfortable, selfish ease or facing tremendous mortal tribulation.
A Deliberate and Unselfish Choice
The apostolic quotes in the document reveal that partaking of the fruit was a deliberate, unselfish choice. The purity of Eve allowed her to see that mortality, with all its pain and death, was absolutely necessary. She willingly chose to initiate the Fall so that the entire human family could eventually be born.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks has testified that her courageous act was a glorious necessity to open the door toward eternal life. Adam also understood this grand necessity and purposefully chose to partake of the fruit so he could remain with her. They did this with their eyes wide open to the heavy consequences that would immediately follow.
It was not a tragic accident; it was a deeply required step forward in Heavenly Father’s glorious plan. Leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith and Bruce R. McConkie repeatedly affirmed that this was a divine setup. They were ordained to fall so that we could have the incredible chance to live, learn, and grow.
The Absolute Necessity of the Fall
Without the Fall, there would simply be no mortal experience and no earthly families. We would all still be waiting in the premortal realm, completely unable to progress or become like our Heavenly Father. This is exactly why we celebrate the Fall of Adam and the purity of Eve.
God actually ordained that they should pass through this specific school of mortal experience. The Fall was just as necessary to our salvation as the glorious Atonement of Jesus Christ. The two events work perfectly and harmoniously together to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man.
Honoring Our First Parents
As you read through this wonderful compilation, your heart will be filled with deep gratitude. We owe an immense debt to our first parents for their incredible bravery and foresight. They voluntarily accepted the heavy burden of mortality, complete with its thorns, thistles, and sweat.
Please take the time to read the 6-page embedded document below. These 21 apostolic quotes will forever change how you view the Garden of Eden and the magnificent, courageous choices made there!
