Why Was the Fall of Adam and Eve Essential to God’s Plan?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Genesis 3-4 and Moses 4-5 in a lesson titled “The Fall of Adam and Eve.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

At first, the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve might seem like a tragedy. Adam and Eve were cast out of the beautiful Garden of Eden. They were sent into a world of pain, sorrow, and death (see Genesis 3:16-19). And they were separated from their Heavenly Father. But the truths restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the book of Moses give us a unique perspective on the Fall.

Yes, the Garden of Eden was beautiful. But Adam and Eve needed more than beautiful surroundings. They needed — and we all need — an opportunity to grow. Leaving the Garden of Eden was the necessary first step toward returning to God and eventually becoming like Him. That meant facing opposition, making choices, making mistakes, learning to repent, and trusting the Savior, whose Atonement makes possible progression and “the joy of our redemption” (Moses 5:11). So when you read about the Fall of Adam and Eve, focus not on the seeming tragedy but on the possibilities — not on the paradise Adam and Eve lost but on the glory their choice allows us to receive.

This week’s scripture block teaches the following principles: (1) The Fall was a necessary part of God’s plan (Genesis 3; Moses 4); (2) Jesus Christ offers hope and redemption (Genesis 3:1-7; Moses 4:22-31; 5:4-15); (3) What does it mean that Adam was to “rule over” Eve? (Genesis 3:16; Moses 4:22); (4) I need agency and opposition to grow (Moses 4:1-4); (5) Satan seeks “to deceive and to blind” me (Moses 4:4-12; 5:13-33); (6) “I, the Lord God … clothed them” (Moses 4:13-16, 27); (7) God will accept my sacrifices if I offer them with a willing and obedient heart (Moses 5:4-9, 16-26).

This essay will discuss Principle #4 about agency, opposition, and growth. We will first look at the verses that teach this principle – Moses 4:1-4:

1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

Heavenly Father presented His plan for the eternal happiness of His children. Jehovah (Jesus Christ on earth) said that He would follow the Father’s plan and give the glory to His Father. Satan rebelled against the Father’s plan and sought to destroy the agency of the Father’s children – agency or opportunity to choose is how we grow – and he wanted the Father’s glory.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him” (“Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2018, 104). Question to ponder: Why do you think it is important in Heavenly Father’s plan that we choose to do what is right? 

There is a wonderful scripture in the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ (2 Nephi 2:25-27) that teaches the importance of having opposition and the freedom to make tough decisions.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

Question to ponder: Why do you think opposition is necessary for agency? Another question to ponder: How can you show your appreciation to Jesus Christ for making you “free to choose”?

Then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on the topic of “Opposition in All Things” at the April 2016 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Oaks taught: (“Opposition in All Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 114-17): 

The purpose of mortal life for the children of God is to provide the experiences needed “to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.” …

From the beginning, agency and opposition were central to the Father’s plan and to Satan’s rebellion against it. As the Lord revealed to Moses, in the council of heaven Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3)….

All of us experience various kinds of opposition that test us. Some of these tests are temptations to sin. Some are mortal challenges apart from personal sin. Some are very great. Some are minor. Some are continuous, and some are mere episodes. None of us is exempt. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become….

We are all acquainted with other kinds of mortal opposition not caused by our personal sins, including illness, disability, and death….

To illustrate the opposition of temptation, the Book of Mormon describes three methods the devil will use in the last days. First, he will “rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good” (2 Nephi 28:20). Second, he will “pacify, and lull [members] away into carnal security,” saying “Zion prospereth, all is well” (verse 21). Third, he will tell us “there is no hell; and … I am no devil, for there is none” (verse 22), and therefore there is no right and wrong. Because of this opposition, we are warned not to be “at ease in Zion!” (verse 24)….

God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them, as He did for Alma’s people in the land of Helam (see Mosiah 24:13-15). He does not prevent all disasters, but He does answer our prayers to turn them aside, as He did with the uniquely powerful cyclone that threatened to prevent the dedication of the temple in Fiji; or He does blunt their effects, as He did with the terrorist bombing that took so many lives in the Brussels airport but only injured our four missionaries.

Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will “consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). We have also been taught to understand our mortal experiences and His commandments in the context of His great plan of salvation, which tells us the purpose of life and gives us the assurance of a Savior, in whose name I testify of the truth of these things….