The Natural Man

Church Educational System
The word natural, when applied to man, is used differently in the scriptures than it is by the world. Usuallynatural, or by nature, indicates an inherent part of our makeup, something we are born with. The scriptures, however, clearly teach that natural man means fallen or sinful man.

Though born innocent (see D&C 93:38), all men, through the fall of Adam, are born into a fallen world. Knowing good and evil (see Moses 4:11, 5:11) and living in this imperfect state, all men sin (see Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8–10) and experience a resultant “fall” and spiritual death (see Moses 6:49, 55, Alma 42:9). In other words, it is through transgression of God’s law that one becomes a “natural man” (see Mosiah 16:2–3, Alma 42:10–12, D&C 20:20). Hence, a natural man is an enemy to God until he qualifies for the cleansing influence of the Atonement by living the commandments of God (see Mosiah 3:11–12, 19). Man then becomes a new creature, being born again, and becoming spiritually alive (see John 3:3–8, Mosiah 27:25–26) and worthy to be known as a friend of God (see John 15:14).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (1996 Edition)

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