The Fall of Me

Blah blah blah

When traditional Christians hear us say the fall is necessary, they are horrified because they think we are saying sin is necessary.

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They draw it this way

Interview with a Catholic priest

L. Tom Perry

Lehi

We draw it this way.

Gerald N. Lund, Fall of me

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The notion of beneficial sin is sometimes reinforced by saying, “Well, the Fall of mankind is necessary in order to progress. So sin is sometimes a necessary step.” It is true that modern prophets have repeatedly taught that the Fall of Adam and Eve was necessary. For example, L. Tom Perry said, “The Fall was as much a part of the foreordained plan of salvation as the Atonement. It was a necessary step forward in the progress of man.”² Father Lehi teaches the same idea:

If Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he 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 Ne. 2:22–23)

The Fall of Adam and Eve was absolutely necessary for the eternal progress of all mankind, without a doubt. However, it is important to distinguish between the universal fall and its effects on all people, and our personal falls and their effects on each individual. Gerald N. Lund put it this way.

The fall of man [has] a dual nature. The two falls are, as one person termed them, “the fall of Adam” and “the fall of me.”

Because of [Adam’s] transgression, death—both spiritual and temporal—entered the world. … Though these both end up working for our positive benefit, neither is the result of our own actions. … They come upon us automatically and inescapably. However, “the fall of me” takes place for each of us as we individually sin.

To do so, I want to introduce a little graphic created by Elder Merrill J. Bateman for a CES fireside a couple years ago.

graph

where does the line end?

2. L. Tom Perry, “Give Heed unto the Word of the Lord,” Ensign, Jun. 2000, p. 22.