A correct concept of the fall of Adam is necessary to an understanding of the basic claims of Christianity. The churches of the world, however, have largely lost sight of the essential differences in the status of Adam and Eve before and after the fall. Lehi provides a wealth of information on this important subject in 2 Nephi 2:14-27. The general conditions of Adam and Eve before the fall are listed on the left side of the chart which follows; the corresponding general conditions of Adam and Eve after the fall are listed on the right side of the chart.
Status of Adam and Eve Status of Adam and Eve after
before the fall the fall
1. They were in the presence 1. They were cast out of the
of God. presence of God—that is,
they suffered a spiritual
death.
2. They were not mortal— 2. They became mortal (sub-
that is, they were not sub- ject to physical death).
ject to physical death. (2
Nephi 2:22.)
3. They were in a state of in- 3. They knew good from
nocence—that is, they did evil.
not know the difference
between good and evil. (2
Nephi 2:23.)
4. They "would have had no 4. They had children.
children." (2 Nephi 2:23.)
Thus, Lehi makes two major conclusions from these teachings: (1) the fall was necessary in order for “men to be”—that is, in order for Adam and Eve to have children. (2) A major purpose of man’s existence is for him to have “joy.” True joy was not possible for Adam and Eve before the fall.
These truths are stated clearly by Lehi in 2 Nephi 2:22-23: “And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen … and they (Adam and Eve) 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.” (Italics added.)
Once Adam and Eve knew the difference between good and evil and had been taught the gospel by an angel, they realized the necessity of the fall in order for them to have joy and to have increase (children). Adam then said: “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God. And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” (Moses 5:10-11. Italics added.)
A careful examination of the status of Adam and Eve after the fall indicates there were two desirable effects of the fall (they knew good from evil and they had children), but also two undesirable effects so far as eternity is concerned (they suffered spiritual death because of their disobedience and they also became subject to physical death). The atonement of Jesus Christ, however, makes it possible to overcome both of the undesirable effects: spiritual death of an individual can be overcome through sincere repentance and obedience to God’s commandments, and physical death has been overcome through the breaking of the bands of death by Jesus Christ through the resurrection. Thus, when the fall of Adam and the atonement of Jesus Christ are considered together, it is seen that both are part of God’s plan of eternal progression for man.