REL 275 - Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon

The Fall of Adam & Eve and
The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Read the following passages in the Book of Mormon before our class:

2 Nephi 2:5-8 Alma 7:10-13
2 Nephi 9:5-7 Alma 12:23-24, 26
2 Nephi 10:3-5 Alma 34:8-16
Mosiah 13:28, 34 Alma 42:2-15
Mosiah 15:1Helaman 14:15-19
Mosiah 16:4
 
Elder Boyd K. PackerAtonement, Agency, Accountability (1988)
  
Pres. Brigham Young Mother Eve’s Influence
The Symmetry Between “Reduction” (or Fall) and Exaltation
A Religion of Salvation
 
Questions for Review
President Brigham Young
Mother Eve's Influence
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—Brigham Young, p.167

Father Adam was placed here as king of the earth, to bring it into subjection. But when Mother Eve came she had a splendid influence over him.

A great many thought it was not very good; I think it was excellent.
 
President Brigham Young
The Symmetry Between “Reduction” (or Fall) and Exaltation
Journal of Discourses 6:284 285; 10:175

We are inhabitants of a world of sin and sorrow; pain and anguish, every ill that can be heaped upon intelligent beings in a probation we are heirs to.  I suppose that God never organized an earth and peopled it that was ever reduced to a lower state of darkness, sin and ignorance than this.

I suppose this is one of the lowest kingdoms that ever the Lord Almighty created, and on that account is capable of becoming exalted to be one of the highest kingdoms that has ever had an exaltation in all the eternities.  In proportion as it has been reduced so it will be exalted, with that portion of its inhabitants who in their humiliation have cleaved to righteousness and acknowledged God in all things.

In proportion to our fall through sin, so shall we be exalted in the presence of our Father and God, through Jesus Christ and by living the righteousness of his Gospel.  All this the people will understand in due time through their faithfulness, and learn to rejoice even in the midst of afflictions.

President Brigham Young
A Religion of Salvation
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—Brigham Young, p.292

Our religion is adapted to the capacity of the whole human family. It does not send a portion of the people to howl in torment for ever and ever, but it reaches after the last son and daughter of Adam and Eve, and will pluck them from the prison, unlock the doors, and burst the bonds and bring forth every soul who will receive salvation.

All heaven is anxious that the people should be saved. The heavens weep over the people, because of their hard-heartedness, unbelief, and slowness to believe and act.
Questions for Review

1) People in general can still be saved if they keep the commandments perfectly. True?  (2 Nephi 2:5; Mosiah 16:4)

2) Why was the Savior Jesus Christ rejected by most ancient Israelites during his mortal ministry?  (2 Nephi 10:5)

3) Why did the Savior suffer death? (Alma 7:12)

4) Why did the Savior suffer infirmities of all kinds?  (Alma 7:11-12)

5) What would have happened if, after eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve had also partaken of the tree of life? (Alma 12:26; 42:5)

6) According to Amulek, what will happen to those individuals who don't ever exercise faith unto repentance?  (Alma 34:16)

7) What major consequence does the Savior's atonement bring to all humankind? (Alma 42:15)

8) What is the meaning of the word "atonement"? (Pres. Boyd K. Packer, Atonement, Agency, Accountability)

9) How could agency have been a "fatal gift" to us? (Pres. Boyd K. Packer, Atonement, Agency, Accountability)

Be prepared to present your understanding about this topic to your classmates, and see if you have additional questions to ask me.  I'll be glad to answer them.
This web page was published only as a support for classroom discussion.
For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Martins at: martinsm@byuh.edu