Random Thought #116

I've often wondered how the apparently two "conflicting commandments" given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was possible? How could God give Adam and Eve a commandment He knew they couldn't obey? It just didn't make sense. I recently read a book called "The Fortunate Fall" that I think helps me understand how this is possible. The key I think lies in the 2nd Article of Faith. Remember back to the days of Primary, "We believe that man will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression". What Adam and Eve did was transgess a law. They did not commit a sin. To help make the distinction, Elder Oaks made this comparison. If you murder someone, that is a sin because it is inherently and morally wrong, but if you drive without a license, it is only a crime because someone made a law that made it a crime. Driving without a license is not inherently wrong. This then begs the question, why would God make a law that He knew had to be broken? I think the answer lies in experience. He had to teach Adam and Eve right from wrong, what it was like to experience sorrow. That's why we are here in the first place, to gain experience, learn, and progress. Think about a little child, they do what you ask and do it gladly. Eventually they will test their boundaries, but sometimes we have to setup scenarios for them to see what they will do. After all, God watched all of his creations until they obeyed. He did the same thing with his children. Its this perspective and understanding the importance of the Fall and subsequent importance of the Atonement of Christ in lieu of the Plan of Salvation that helps us understand the vital role and choices that our first parents made.