We are all children on God. He loves us so much. When we came to earth and were born, we forgot everything. We call this the "veil." Our minds were veiled. Although we can't remember living with God, our spirits can still recognize the familiar presence of the Holy Ghost. When we learn about God and gospel truths, it can sometimes have a familiar ring to it. That's because our spirits once lived with God and we have been taught the gospel before.
The first people to live on the earth were Adam and Eve. They were created in the image of God. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them"(Genesis 1:27). They were placed in the Garden of Eden. They were commanded to "multiply and replenish the earth." Adam and Eve were in a state of innocence and could not sin, have children, or die. They had dominion over all the animals and could eat the fruit of the garden. God told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, Satan tempted them and they eventually ate the fruit of the tree and were cast out of the garden. They became mortal, could sin, experience pain, were able to have children, and they would eventually die.
Most of Christianity looks down upon Adam and Eve for their transgression, but if they hadn't eaten the forbidden fruit then we would not be here. The Book of Mormon teaches us more about the significance of this transgression: "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. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin"(2 Nephi 2:22-23).
Because of the fall of Adam, we were all able to be born but we will all die. This time we are given here on earth is for us to learn and grow and to prepare to meet God again. It's a testing period to see if we will have faith and follow God even though we can't remember Him. "There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God.."(Alma 12:24).
God has given us the gift of free agency. We are free to choose to follow God or to follow Satan. Neither can force us to do anything but they can both influence us. If we want to be happy and return to live with God, we need to follow God and the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable unto himself"(2 Nephi 2:27).
Jesus Christ is central to God's plan. We "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). None of us can return to live with God in our sins. That is why God provided a Savior for us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved"(John 3:16-17).
Jesus Christ performed the atonement. The atonement was when Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, pains, and sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemane, died on the cross, and was resurrected on the third day. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so that if we would come unto Him and repent, we can be forgiven and cleansed. Only through Jesus Christ's atonement can we return to live with God again. "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made"(Alma 34:9).
Although Jesus Christ paid the price of our sins, that does not eliminate our personal responsibility. We can never repay Christ for His sacrifice and He doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to follow Him and keep His commandments. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and keep following God to the end, we are promised that we can be cleansed from sin and return to live with God again.
The first people to live on the earth were Adam and Eve. They were created in the image of God. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them"(Genesis 1:27). They were placed in the Garden of Eden. They were commanded to "multiply and replenish the earth." Adam and Eve were in a state of innocence and could not sin, have children, or die. They had dominion over all the animals and could eat the fruit of the garden. God told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, Satan tempted them and they eventually ate the fruit of the tree and were cast out of the garden. They became mortal, could sin, experience pain, were able to have children, and they would eventually die. Because of the fall of Adam, we were all able to be born but we will all die. This time we are given here on earth is for us to learn and grow and to prepare to meet God again. It's a testing period to see if we will have faith and follow God even though we can't remember Him. "There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God.."(Alma 12:24).
God has given us the gift of free agency. We are free to choose to follow God or to follow Satan. Neither can force us to do anything but they can both influence us. If we want to be happy and return to live with God, we need to follow God and the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable unto himself"(2 Nephi 2:27).
Jesus Christ is central to God's plan. We "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). None of us can return to live with God in our sins. That is why God provided a Savior for us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved"(John 3:16-17).
Jesus Christ performed the atonement. The atonement was when Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, pains, and sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemane, died on the cross, and was resurrected on the third day. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so that if we would come unto Him and repent, we can be forgiven and cleansed. Only through Jesus Christ's atonement can we return to live with God again. "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made"(Alma 34:9).
Although Jesus Christ paid the price of our sins, that does not eliminate our personal responsibility. We can never repay Christ for His sacrifice and He doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to follow Him and keep His commandments. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and keep following God to the end, we are promised that we can be cleansed from sin and return to live with God again.
This life isn't easy nor was it meant to be. This life is for us to learn and grow and overcome challenges. Jesus didn't only suffer for our sins but for our pains and sorrows as well. He knows exactly how we feel and how to help us. If we will come unto Him, He will help bear up our burdens. Life is a lot easier to get through with Christ.
God wants us to be happy. He wants us to follow Him. He wants us to learn about Him and return to live with Him again. That's why He sends missionaries to teach people about the gospel so that His children can know what we're supposed to do here.
(For chapters in the Book of Mormon that explain more about Adam and Eve, read 2 Nephi 2, Alma 12, and Alma 34. Genesis 2 and 3 in the Bible tell the story.)
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy"(2 Nephi 2:25).
Amen.
God wants us to be happy. He wants us to follow Him. He wants us to learn about Him and return to live with Him again. That's why He sends missionaries to teach people about the gospel so that His children can know what we're supposed to do here.
(For chapters in the Book of Mormon that explain more about Adam and Eve, read 2 Nephi 2, Alma 12, and Alma 34. Genesis 2 and 3 in the Bible tell the story.)
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy"(2 Nephi 2:25).
Amen.
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