In effect we all became temporarily damned, stopped in our eternal progress, and without a way back home. It seems clear that man's natural self has always existed. (2 Nephi 2:11–12, emphasis added). Read on! Whatever the fruit was, it was rendered enticing, at least to Eve, by Satan's verbal manipulations. Verse 15 tells us why there were two trees in the garden of Eden. Once you are damned, how much worse can it get, right? Your email address will not be published. Second Nephi 2 asserts, furthermore, that without opposites, such a purposeless creation would destroy the wisdom, purpose, power, mercy, and justice of God. This resurrected body was made possible by Christ’s atonement, which ended with his resurrection. Because of his loving kindness He will not forsake those who trust in Him and because of his exact justice He will not prevent spiritual consequences to come upon those who violate His laws. As Jacob's sermon informs us, he selected the Isaiah materials because "they are the words which my brother [Nephi] has desired that I should speak unto you." I don’t know that I’d ever refer to myself as an airhead, but I did go from feeling quite lost in these chapters to feeling like I finally had … Their city will be taken, their society will crumble; they will be at a loss for leadership; they will lose all prestige, independence, self-sufficiency, and sovereignty. His body was mortal and had to undergo the obligatory terminal physiologic phenomena necessary to terminate life common to all mortals. He knew that in their original created state, he and Eve could not have posterity (. However, the scriptures teach us He has both qualities. He teaches us to follow his example and do likewise. You can find articles by Kelly on ldsblogs.com, ldsliving.com, and moronichannel.org as well. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. See also H. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 1 (Provo, UT: F.A.R.M.S., 1988–90), 266. Isaiah mentions a lot of outward appearances indicating the state of wealth or poverty, liberty or captivity the people will find themselves in in the cling years. Redemption comes through the Holy Messiah—Freedom of choice (agency) is essential to existence and progression—Adam fell that men might be—Men are free to choose liberty and eternal life. Everything must have an opposite. 14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and alearning; for there is a God, and he hath bcreated all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be cacted upon. are they who are the whore of all the earth" (2 Nephi 10:16; italics added). We know of course that Paul intended to teach that resurrection is the inseparable union of spirit and an immortal and incorruptible body. Adam's and Eve's actions in Eden were intelligently thought through, selfless, and nobly executed. In response, Christians have spent much time arguing for a closed canon in opposition to this claim of new scripture. In other words, the days of the children of men were "prolonged" compared to what or to whom? Finally, as in this verse, the term firstfruits refers to the fact that "he shall make intercession for all the children of men.". TGÂ Jesus Christ, Appearances, Antemortal. 6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Moses 5:10. We needed help; divine help. He provided us with a Savior. The use of the word "atonement" here is the first usage found in the text of the Book of Mormon. Have you ever met someone who fit their name perfectly? And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And that payment must stand absolute forever and ever. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. "all things must needs be a compound in one" The statement, "all things must needs be a compound in one" is simply a re-statement of the idea that there must be opposition. He has also published multiple works, including Premortal Promises, and Contributions to the Kingdom, both available on Amazon.com. Those who do not understand this meaning of the word spiritual have concluded that Paul was saying that in the world to come we will exist only as spirits. These commandments, when obeyed, will eventually result in the freedom to choose to enter the celestial heaven. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. WAS THE FALL NECESSARY FOR HUMAN PROGRESSION? Why is it so dangerous (and so tempting) to believe there is no Satan? There would be no purpose in creation. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. If there were no God, then there could be no creation. "unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of . This free gift may be referred to as the light of Christ or the spirit of Christ (. “Dualism.”. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44). It is as eternal as goodness; it is as eternal as law.”7 Mormon apologist Bruce McConkie affirms, “[This] is an argument so persuasive in nature that it is an end to all contention.”8 It is not the end of all contention, however, for the notion that anything, much less evil, is required for God’s existence contradicts the historic Christian understanding that God is an eternal, necessary, and self-existent being (see, e.g., Exod. (See President Nelson’s talk. If we are exalted it is because it is our choice. Lehi demonstrated humility in identifying Nephi as the reason they didn’t perish in the wilderness. and not eternal death", The Book of Mormon does not teach the concept of "multiple heavens" or multiple degrees of salvation. The one would have had no purpose without the other. This is quite unlike the God of the Bible who is truly omnipotent and one day will destroy evil. The salvation of His children is His harvest. We must look to modern-day revelation for a clear understanding (Moses 4:1-4 which is the same as JST Genesis 3:1-5). 2. In one sense these may be regarded as the building blocks available to the Father as he began the process of creation. There is a parallel to this situation in Genesis 48:5; Genesis 48:16 where Jacob adopted Joseph's sons Manasseh and Ephraim in place of Reuben and Simeon who had sinned (see Genesis 34:30; Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3-5). They saw their loftiest responsibility as multiplying and replenishing the earth. If even one sin is committed, man cannot qualify for entry back into God's presence or indeed into any kingdom of glory. Consider, for example, oneness, in one, unity, united, gathering, equal, cleaving, sealing, welding, linking, embracing, and even resurrection. Strictly speaking, this is not true. An individual qualified to enter any of the three degrees of glory is said to be "saved.".