Jesus Christ & His Gospel

"And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, 
and hearken unto his great commandments; 
and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, 
according to the will of his Holy Spirit" (2 Nephi 2:28)

I learned something super cool this week -- well, not learned, so much as understood. It's like a little light bulb went off,  just like in the cartoons. 

We were studying in Moses and Genesis this week, reading and learning more about the Fall in depth. It amazes me how much we adore and appreciate Mother Eve, I love how much we can look up to her and find her exemplar. In other religions, such gratitude is not frequent for the choice Eve and Adam made. But with modern revelation, translations, and living prophets, we know that the Fall was part of the Lord's plan and is something we are eternally grateful for -- because without it, we wouldn't be here today, becoming like our Father in heaven through mortality.

"And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, 

but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. 

And all things which were created must have remained in the same state 

in which they were after they were created; 

and they must have remained forever, and had no end. 

And they 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." (2 Nephi 2:22-23)

What a difference it makes to have more records, witnesses, and revelations of why the Fall occurred and the how -- now we are able to understand more so, how "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (2 Nephi 2:24).

Anyway, that's just a side note -- we learned a lot this week. What blew my mind the most, is the understanding of a temporal law and an eternal law. 

"Don't eat the fruit" is a temporal law in Eden. It does not determine salvation -- Adam and Eve will still be able to achieve Celestial glory despite having ate the fruit. It is also temporary because it was only a law in the Garden of Eden. 

"Multiply and replenish the earth" is an eternal law. It is a commandment passed down through all generations of time. It is the higher law -- the law Adam and Eve must fulfill. The commandment we still have today.

The choice between these two laws is agency building. The Lord is saying that if they want to stay in the garden, they cannot eat the fruit; but if they want to enter mortality, then the choice to eat the fruit is given to them. 

Ah, I just love that. What a settling truth to help expand and strengthen our testimonies of the fall.

Also, another quick side note:  Ever wonder why Christ is called "Son of Man?" Because it is shortened from the Adamic language, "Son of Man of Holiness." ♥