Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
There is a divine plan for us designed by Heavenly Parents and Jesus Christ is the central figure in that plan. God’s plan provided a Savior to overcome the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve. Because of Christ, the fall of Adam is a fall forward for us. It allows us to be here on earth, to grow and become more like our heavenly parents. The Fall does not define us, it refines us. Understanding the fall can give us hope and empowers us.
Elder M Russell Ballard: “We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us.” (When Thou Art Converted, 62).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “It is extremely important to get straight what happened in that premortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out. Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the plan” (Deposition of a Disciple [1976], 11; see also John 7:16–18).
What do we know about Satan in the pre-earth life?
Satan’s pre-mortal proposal was not a plan. He never explains how he would do anything other than how he would benefit. Satan did not have the power, knowledge, integrity, worthiness or ability to “to redeem all mankind.” Satan’s motive was all about him. It had nothing to do with anyone else but him.
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Satan’s method of assuring ‘that one soul shall not be lost’ (Moses 4:1) would be to ‘destroy the agency of man’ (Moses 4:3). Under his plan, Satan would have been our master, and he would have ‘[led us] captive at his will’ (Moses 4:4). Without the power of choice, we would have been mere robots or puppets in his hands.” (“Free Agency and Freedom,” in The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. [1989], 4).
President Ezra Taft Benson: “Just as man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” (Teachings of President Benson, 28)
In verses Moses 4:12-16 we see the Process and Result of Sin:
The Midrash is an ancient Jewish commentary on the bible. The Midrash explains that this question was asked out of consideration for Adam, to afford him time to recover his self-possession. 'Where art thou? is the call which, after every sin, resounds in the ears of the man who seeks to deceive himself and others concerning his sin' (Dillmann). (see J.H. Hertz, Pentateuch & Haftorahs, Hebrew Text English Translation & Commentary, p. 11)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Some Christians condemn Eve for her act, concluding that she and her daughters are somehow flawed by it. Not the Latter-day Saints! Informed by revelation, we celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode, called the Fall. . . . Brigham Young declared, ‘We should never blame Mother Eve, not the least’ (in Journal of Discourses, 13:145). Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: ‘I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin. . . . This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin . . . for it was something that Adam and Eve had to do!’” [Doctrines of Salvation, 1:114–15]” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng).
Before the Fall After the Fall
1. 2 Nephi 2:22 1. 2 Nephi 9:6
2. Alma 32:21 2. D&C 29:40–42
3. 2 Nephi 2:22 3. Moses 5:11
4. 2 Nephi 2:23 4. Moses 4:22;5:11
5. 2 Nephi 2:23 5. Moses 5:11
6. Moses 3:8–9 6. Moses 4:23–25
President Marion G. Romney: “Note that the curse was not placed upon Adam, but upon the ground for Adam’s sake. Rather than a curse upon Adam, it was a blessing to him” (Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 168; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 125).
President Dallin H. Oaks: "Some acts, like murder, are crimes because they are inherently wrong. Other acts, like operating without a license, are crimes only because they are legally prohibited. Under these distinctions, the act that produced the Fall was not a sin—inherently wrong—but a transgression—wrong because it was formally prohibited. These words are not always used to denote something different, but this distinction seems meaningful in the circumstances of the Fall” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 98; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 73).
Concerning the phrase “he shall rule over thee,” in Moses 4:22 President Spencer W. Kimball said: “I have a question about the word rule. It gives the wrong impression. I would prefer to use the word preside because that’s what he does. A righteous husband presides over his wife and family.” (Ensign, Mar. 1976, 72).
Ephesians 5:25 aHusbands, blove your cwives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to "natural" evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are "inherently" evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a "natural" (fallen) world where the devil "taketh away light" and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement. (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207)
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
“Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience.” (Rich Robins paraphrasing Elder Lynn G. Robbins, quoting Carol Dweck, Apr. 2011 Conf.)
The actual quote where Elder Lynn G. Robbins quotes Carol Dweck is: "We have all heard the advice to condemn the sin and not the sinner. Likewise, when our children misbehave, we must be careful not to say things that would cause them to believe that what they did wrong is who they are. “Never let failure progress from an action to an identity,” with its attendant labels like “stupid,” “slow,” “lazy,” or “clumsy.”2 Our children are God’s children. That is their true identity and potential. His very plan is to help His children overcome mistakes and misdeeds and to progress to become as He is. Disappointing behavior, therefore, should be considered as something temporary, not permanent—an act, not an identity." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/05/sunday-afternoon-session/what-manner-of-men-and-women-ought-ye-to-be?lang=eng).
Elder Neil L. Anderson: “The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you.” (The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69)
The Family, A Proclamation to the World: “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng)
Joseph Smith: “By faith in this atonement or plan of redemption, Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith, he could have no faith, or could not exercise faith contrary to the plan of heaven. It must be shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man; for this was the plan of redemption; and without the shedding of blood was no remission; and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised, because redemption was not purchased in that way, nor the power of atonement instituted after that order; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 58).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Are we our brothers’ keepers? In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior’s Golden Rule says we are. Satan says we are not. “Tempted of Satan, some have followed the example of Cain. They covet property and then sin to obtain it. The sin may be murder, robbery, or theft. It may be fraud or deception. It may even be some clever but legal manipulation of facts or influence to take unfair advantage of another. Always the excuse is the same: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 25; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 20).
Secret Combinations run on these principles:
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder M Russell Ballard: “We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us.” (When Thou Art Converted, 62).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “It is extremely important to get straight what happened in that premortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out. Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the plan” (Deposition of a Disciple [1976], 11; see also John 7:16–18).
What do we know about Satan in the pre-earth life?
- Satan was “an angel of God who was in authority . . . who rebelled” against God and his Son (Doc and Cov 76:25).
- His name was “Lucifer” (Doc & Cov 76:26). Lucifer means “light bearer” or ”shining one.”
- He was a “son of the morning” (see Isaiah 14:12; D&C 76:25–27).
- Wanted to be the central figure in the plan. “Here am I, send me, I will be they son.” (Moses 4:1)
- Claimed that “I will redeem all mankind…” (Moses 4:1)
- He desired the throne, honor, power, and glory of Heavenly Father (Moses 4:1, 3; D&C 29:36; 76:28).
- He never know “the mind of God” (Moses 4:6)
- He wanted not only to “exalt [his] throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13) but also to exalt himself above all, including God (see 2 Thessalonians 2:4).
- President Ezra Taft Benson taught that Satan’s pride created in him a desire not only to be honored, but “to be honored above all others. In short, his prideful desire was to dethrone God.”(President Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” in Conference Report, April 1989,)
- He “sought to destroy the agency of man.” (Moses 4:3)
- Lucifer “became Satan” (Moses 4:4). Satan mean “the slanderer,” or “to accuse, or attack.”
- When Satan “rebelled against [God], and, there was “war in heaven” (Revelation 12:7). That conflict led to Satan being “thrust down from the presence of God” (D&C 76:25),
- He was “thrust down from the presence of God, and the Son” (Doc & Cov 76:26, Rev 12:9, Moses 4:3).
- He was a liar and a murderer “from the beginning” (D&C 93:25; John 8:44).
Satan’s pre-mortal proposal was not a plan. He never explains how he would do anything other than how he would benefit. Satan did not have the power, knowledge, integrity, worthiness or ability to “to redeem all mankind.” Satan’s motive was all about him. It had nothing to do with anyone else but him.
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Satan’s method of assuring ‘that one soul shall not be lost’ (Moses 4:1) would be to ‘destroy the agency of man’ (Moses 4:3). Under his plan, Satan would have been our master, and he would have ‘[led us] captive at his will’ (Moses 4:4). Without the power of choice, we would have been mere robots or puppets in his hands.” (“Free Agency and Freedom,” in The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. [1989], 4).
President Ezra Taft Benson: “Just as man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” (Teachings of President Benson, 28)
In verses Moses 4:12-16 we see the Process and Result of Sin:
- saw; (v. 12)
- became pleasant;
- desired;
- took;
- partook (ate);
- gave
- after partaking, their eyes were opened, meaning they knew that the transgression was clearly in God's view; (v 13)
- they hid themselves (v 14)
- afraid to be found out (vs. 16)
The Midrash is an ancient Jewish commentary on the bible. The Midrash explains that this question was asked out of consideration for Adam, to afford him time to recover his self-possession. 'Where art thou? is the call which, after every sin, resounds in the ears of the man who seeks to deceive himself and others concerning his sin' (Dillmann). (see J.H. Hertz, Pentateuch & Haftorahs, Hebrew Text English Translation & Commentary, p. 11)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Some Christians condemn Eve for her act, concluding that she and her daughters are somehow flawed by it. Not the Latter-day Saints! Informed by revelation, we celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode, called the Fall. . . . Brigham Young declared, ‘We should never blame Mother Eve, not the least’ (in Journal of Discourses, 13:145). Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: ‘I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin. . . . This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin . . . for it was something that Adam and Eve had to do!’” [Doctrines of Salvation, 1:114–15]” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng).
Before the Fall After the Fall
1. 2 Nephi 2:22 1. 2 Nephi 9:6
2. Alma 32:21 2. D&C 29:40–42
3. 2 Nephi 2:22 3. Moses 5:11
4. 2 Nephi 2:23 4. Moses 4:22;5:11
5. 2 Nephi 2:23 5. Moses 5:11
6. Moses 3:8–9 6. Moses 4:23–25
President Marion G. Romney: “Note that the curse was not placed upon Adam, but upon the ground for Adam’s sake. Rather than a curse upon Adam, it was a blessing to him” (Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 168; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 125).
President Dallin H. Oaks: "Some acts, like murder, are crimes because they are inherently wrong. Other acts, like operating without a license, are crimes only because they are legally prohibited. Under these distinctions, the act that produced the Fall was not a sin—inherently wrong—but a transgression—wrong because it was formally prohibited. These words are not always used to denote something different, but this distinction seems meaningful in the circumstances of the Fall” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 98; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 73).
Concerning the phrase “he shall rule over thee,” in Moses 4:22 President Spencer W. Kimball said: “I have a question about the word rule. It gives the wrong impression. I would prefer to use the word preside because that’s what he does. A righteous husband presides over his wife and family.” (Ensign, Mar. 1976, 72).
Ephesians 5:25 aHusbands, blove your cwives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to "natural" evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are "inherently" evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a "natural" (fallen) world where the devil "taketh away light" and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement. (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207)
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
“Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience.” (Rich Robins paraphrasing Elder Lynn G. Robbins, quoting Carol Dweck, Apr. 2011 Conf.)
The actual quote where Elder Lynn G. Robbins quotes Carol Dweck is: "We have all heard the advice to condemn the sin and not the sinner. Likewise, when our children misbehave, we must be careful not to say things that would cause them to believe that what they did wrong is who they are. “Never let failure progress from an action to an identity,” with its attendant labels like “stupid,” “slow,” “lazy,” or “clumsy.”2 Our children are God’s children. That is their true identity and potential. His very plan is to help His children overcome mistakes and misdeeds and to progress to become as He is. Disappointing behavior, therefore, should be considered as something temporary, not permanent—an act, not an identity." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/05/sunday-afternoon-session/what-manner-of-men-and-women-ought-ye-to-be?lang=eng).
Elder Neil L. Anderson: “The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you.” (The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69)
The Family, A Proclamation to the World: “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng)
Joseph Smith: “By faith in this atonement or plan of redemption, Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith, he could have no faith, or could not exercise faith contrary to the plan of heaven. It must be shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man; for this was the plan of redemption; and without the shedding of blood was no remission; and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised, because redemption was not purchased in that way, nor the power of atonement instituted after that order; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 58).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “Are we our brothers’ keepers? In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior’s Golden Rule says we are. Satan says we are not. “Tempted of Satan, some have followed the example of Cain. They covet property and then sin to obtain it. The sin may be murder, robbery, or theft. It may be fraud or deception. It may even be some clever but legal manipulation of facts or influence to take unfair advantage of another. Always the excuse is the same: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 25; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 20).
Secret Combinations run on these principles:
- Mahan principle (5:31) – Life for gain (money).
- “I am free.” (v. 33) You can sin and not suffer the consequences.
- “Am I my brother's keeper?” (v. 34) I am not responsible.
Teaching Thoughts:
- There is a divine plan for us designed by Heavenly Parents.
- Christ is the central figure in that plan.
- The fall is a fall forward.
- The Fall does not define us, it refines us.
- Understanding the fall give us hope and empowers us.