“Lesson 3: Genesis 3,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 5–6

“Genesis 3,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 5–6

Genesis 3

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Genesis 3:1–13. Partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge Resulted in the Fall Eve was tempted by the serpent (see Genesis 3:1–6; Moses 4:5–12). Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit (see Genesis 3:6). Adam and Eve were accountable to God (see Genesis 3:7–13; Moses 4:13–19).	Religion 301 student manual, 3-1; 3-3 through 3-7. 1 Timothy 2:14. Why did Eve partake of the fruit? Was Adam deceived? Moses 3:17; 7:32. Did Adam and Eve have their agency before they partook of the fruit in the Garden of Eden? 2 Nephi 2:22–25. Why was it so important that Adam and Eve partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? AF, pp. 64–65. Why did Adam partake of the forbidden fruit? DS, 1:112–14. Did Adam and Eve sin when they ate of the forbidden fruit? DBY, p. 103. What should be our attitude toward Eve’s part in the transgression? Quinn G. McKay, “Principles in Conflict,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, pp. 64–65. The problem of choosing between principles is discussed. Marion G. Romney, in CR, Apr. 1953, p. 124. Adam advanced the plan of God.
Genesis 3:14–24. The Fall Brought About the Conditions of Mortality Through the Atonement Christ would overcome Satan’s efforts (see Genesis 3:14–15). The Lord explained the conditions of mortality Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3:16–21). Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:22–24).	Religion 301 student manual, 3-2; 3-8 through 3-14. Moses 5:9. What assurance was Adam given that he and his posterity need not suffer eternally for his transgression? 1 Corinthians 15:21–22. What eventually will happen to all mankind because of Adam’s action? Because of Christ’s? Articles of Faith, 1:2. Are we punished for Adam’s transgression? Articles of Faith, 1:3–4. What must we do to take full advantage of the Atonement? DBY, p. 103. What effect did the fall of Adam have upon the earth? AF, pp. 475–76. What are the beneficent results of the Fall? GD, pp. 432–33. What is the spiritual death that came upon Adam and his posterity? Through what means can all of us be redeemed from spiritual death? DS, 1:77. What effect did the fruit of the tree of knowledge have upon Adam and Eve?

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

Genesis 3:1–13. Partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge Resulted in the Fall
1. Eve was tempted by the serpent (see Genesis 3:1–6; Moses 4:5–12).
2. Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit (see Genesis 3:6).
3. Adam and Eve were accountable to God (see Genesis 3:7–13; Moses 4:13–19).

Religion 301 student manual, 3-1; 3-3 through 3-7.

1 Timothy 2:14. Why did Eve partake of the fruit? Was Adam deceived?

Moses 3:17; 7:32. Did Adam and Eve have their agency before they partook of the fruit in the Garden of Eden?

2 Nephi 2:22–25. Why was it so important that Adam and Eve partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

AF, pp. 64–65. Why did Adam partake of the forbidden fruit?

DS, 1:112–14. Did Adam and Eve sin when they ate of the forbidden fruit?

DBY, p. 103. What should be our attitude toward Eve’s part in the transgression?

Quinn G. McKay, “Principles in Conflict,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, pp. 64–65. The problem of choosing between principles is discussed.

Marion G. Romney, in CR, Apr. 1953, p. 124. Adam advanced the plan of God.

Genesis 3:14–24. The Fall Brought About the Conditions of Mortality
1. Through the Atonement Christ would overcome Satan’s efforts (see Genesis 3:14–15).
2. The Lord explained the conditions of mortality Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3:16–21).
3. Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:22–24).

Religion 301 student manual, 3-2; 3-8 through 3-14.

Moses 5:9. What assurance was Adam given that he and his posterity need not suffer eternally for his transgression?

1 Corinthians 15:21–22. What eventually will happen to all mankind because of Adam’s action? Because of Christ’s?

Articles of Faith, 1:2. Are we punished for Adam’s transgression?

Articles of Faith, 1:3–4. What must we do to take full advantage of the Atonement?

DBY, p. 103. What effect did the fall of Adam have upon the earth?

AF, pp. 475–76. What are the beneficent results of the Fall?

GD, pp. 432–33. What is the spiritual death that came upon Adam and his posterity? Through what means can all of us be redeemed from spiritual death?

DS, 1:77. What effect did the fruit of the tree of knowledge have upon Adam and Eve?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

The Lord Gave Adam His Agency (Section A)

Read Moses 7:32 with your students. Indicate that agency to exist, four principles must be in operation. List these principles on the board:

You must have a choice.
You must know the alternatives.
You must have an indication of divine will.
You must have absolute freedom to choose.

Read Moses 3:17 and discuss how all of the principles listed above were in operation before the Fall. Bear testimony that Adam did indeed have agency in the Garden of Eden.

The Nature of Adam’s Choice (Section A)

Many people are concerned about what they think an injustice in the Lord’s giving Adam two commandments that, they feel, are in conflict.

Review and discuss Elder James E. Talmage’s comments in Articles of Faith, pages 64–65, about Adam’s choice. Point out that if alternatives seem to be in conflict and an individual chooses to obey the higher law, or the most important principle, he does not sin. The challenge in such a situation is to determine which is the higher law. That must be done by following the dictates of the Spirit. By doing so, individuals will act in accordance with the Lord’s will. That is what Adam did.

Eve was deceived and beguiled by Satan into partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (see Moses 4:5–6, 19; 1 Timothy 2:14). As a result, Adam was required to make a choice. He chose to obey the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, which choice was in harmony with the will of God. Nevertheless, because of his choice and his partaking of the fruit, Adam, with Eve, was removed from the Garden of Eden. The following statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith clarifies the account of this event:

“What did Adam do? The very thing the Lord wanted him to do, and I hate to hear anybody call it a sin, for it wasn’t a sin. Did Adam sin when he partook of the forbidden fruit? I say to you, no, he did not! Now, let me refer to what was written in the book of Moses in regard to the command God gave to Adam. [Moses 3:16–17 quoted.]

“Now this is the way I interpret that. The Lord said to Adam, here is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you want to stay here then you cannot eat of that fruit. If you want to stay here then I forbid you to eat it. But you may act for yourself and you may eat of it if you want to. And if you eat it you will die.” (Fall–Atonement–Resurrection–Sacrament [address delivered at institute of religion], 14 Jan. 1961, p. 2; emphasis added.)

Discuss why Adam’s transgression was “the very thing the Lord wanted him to do.” In giving Adam the two commandments, the Lord placed him in a position to choose between a higher law and a lesser law. In either case, Adam was responsible for the consequences of his choice. He could not blame the Lord.

Satan Seeks to Thwart the Lord’s Plan (Section A)

Though the emphasis of this lesson should not be on Satan, it is important that students know that he lives and that he seeks to destroy the work of God. Elder Marion G. Romney stated: “We Latter-day Saints need not be, and we must not be, deceived by the sophistries of men concerning the reality of Satan. There is a personal devil, and we had better believe it. He and a countless host of followers, seen and unseen, are exercising a controlling influence upon men and their affairs in our world today.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 25.)

The methods used on Eve by Satan are the same methods that he uses on people today. Compare the methods he used on Eve with the methods he uses on us.

Methods Used on Eve	Methods Used on Us
“Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree?” (Genesis 3:1).	“God’s commandments limit your freedom.”
“Ye shall not surely die: … “ye shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:4–5).	Lies; truth mixed with falsehood
“Pleasant to the eyes” (Genesis 3:6).	Mortal desires and passions

Discuss a few specific examples that fit each method, and point out that knowing how Satan works helps us avoid being deceived by him. Read also the Lord’s instruction to Eve: “Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3). Ask why the Lord said that. Ask what advantage Satan has if he is able to get us to “touch” something or do it “just a little bit.”

Atonement of Christ (Section B)

Physical death (separation of spirit and body) and spiritual death (separation from God’s presence) came into the world because of the fall of Adam. Ask students to define or explain what these two deaths are. Use transparency 3 to help students understand how the Savior overcame physical death and made it possible for us to overcome spiritual death. Emphasize that after the Fall, Adam and Eve were taught about the Savior’s mission and atonement (see Moses 5:6–11).