Free Agency Given to Mankind
Posted by Lee on March 30th, 2007 filed in Daily Thoughts
In Genesis we discover that Heavenly Father gave Adam and Eve two commandments. The first “multiply and replenish” [more appropriately translated “fill”] the earth. The second “not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge.”
The first commandment could never have been followed if the second had not been broken. One might wonder why Heavenly Father would place a stumbling block in the way of following His commandments. The simply reason is Free Agency.
Adam and Eve could have chosen to not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. If they had not, they would not have known they were naked nor how to procreate. Did eating of the fruit provide this knowledge? I don’t know, but they gained a knowledge of carnal things because they sinned.
Hence, if they had not eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, we would not be here today.
March 30th, 2007 at 10:03 am
So in other words, God was fully aware that they would eat the fruit and multiply?
March 30th, 2007 at 10:20 am
That is a question I have had for years. Unfortunately I do not know the thoughts of Heavenly Father.
I do know that before Adam and Eve came to earth, Heavenly Father told us of his plan of salvation and we agreed to it. Adam and Eve were given the opportunity to be the first parents of mankind.
Their choice to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge made it possible for you and me to be here today.
March 30th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I believe that God knew fully what would happen (how could he not - he/she/it was God).
I also believe that if you are going to let your children go out into the world they must be aware of the rules. Learning about sin is needed because without this knowledge “God like” creatures can and have done much damage.
So, God allowed humans to become like Gods with the knowledge of how dangerous this awareness is.
Don’t get me started, I could debate this stuff late into the night Lee.