Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Adam's Intent

"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." (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, 2 Nephi 2:22)


I do not think Lehi in the Book of Mormon is saying that Adam and Eve had to break the second commandment to obey the first commandment. God did not give conflicting commandments.  Instead, I think the Book of Mormon is revealing to us the reason why Adam ate the fruit after Eve had already done so.  The Bible  already gives us Eve's intent.

Because Eve was to be cast out of the garden, Adam would have been left alone. Consequently, Adam could not have kept the first commandment. So, it is not God that created the complication but sin itself that created it. Eve's transgression created the dilemma for Adam, not God.

Lehi is NOT saying that God intended Adam to sin in order to obey. Lehi is just explaining Adam's intent. Intent is considered in many instances in the Law of Moses.  Adam's intent was to keep his covenants, stay with and care for Eve, and multiply and replenish the Earth.  Adam intention was to keep his covenants.

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