Countdown Day 49: The Fall of Man

Countdown Day 49: The Fall of Man

While Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, they were unable to physically change. Their existence was static. They didn't age, give birth, or die. It wasn't until Satan tempted Eve to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that her eyes were opened to understanding good and evil. As we know from 2 Nephi 2, there must be opposition in all things. For example, in order for Adam and Eve to be happy, they had to experience sadness. Long story short, Eve got Adam to partake, and they were driven from the Garden of Eden. Because of this transgression, man was now subject to pain, sin, and death. They no longer were in the presence of Heavenly Father, though He did gift them with ways to communicate with Him. However, Adam and Eve were also able to exercise their agency, as they had in the Garden, and chose to be faithful. They were able to, and did, have children, which was necessary for God's plan of salvation. If Adam and Eve had lived in the Garden forever, the plan would've been frustrated. Ironically, even Satan was used as a tool to fulfill God's plan. He continues to fulfill that role as our tempter, making our righteous choices possible by giving us a wicked choice, in opposition. Though humanity was made subject to the natural man (all of our wicked impulses and urges, our desires to be selfish and lazy, and pretty much everything bad about humans that comes as "part of the package") because of the Fall, we also had the Light of Christ, and the Holy Ghost to guide us. 

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

2 Nephi 2:27.