"I only have one problem with this article. It implies that before eating the fruit Eve weighed the implications and made a conscience decision to do so. The scriptures make it clear that Eve was deceived and was in transgression. If the commandment to not eat the fruit was not given to Eve, as the article says, she would not have been guilty of transgression."
The temple endowment, at least in the newer films, strongly suggests that Eve did in fact make a conscious decision to do so after weighing things out and then looking to the Lord for guidance.
The serpent beguiled her in the things that he said. Here's the definition of beguile: charm or enchant (someone), often in a deceptive way. Not quite the same as deceiving, More like enticing her to eat of the fruit.
Also, the word transgression means a crossing over. It doesn't always mean sin in the way that we might think. This was a transgression that God wanted to happen. It wasn't something she was guilty of. Also, I think this article does a good job of showing that scripturally, the commandment only came to Adam.
"Interesting food for thought in this article. However, the Temple Endowment makes it very clear (in more than one instance) that Eve was also given the commandment to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil."
The endowment film does seem to portray this whereas the scriptures do not. Keeping in mind that there have been changes in how things are portrayed in the film but not in the wording (at least not for quite some time), it isn't unreasonable to think that the wording still teaches what this article is supporting, even if it doesn't perfectly show that (and after all, the films are clearly open to change over time and not meant to be a perfect depiction of how everything happened, but really are aimed at teaching us symbolically and adding depth to the wording).
Ron BarnesApril 19, 2016
I only have one problem with this article. It implies that before eating the fruit Eve weighed the implications and made a conscience decision to do so. The scriptures make it clear that Eve was deceived and was in transgression. If the commandment to not eat the fruit was not given to Eve, as the article says, she would not have been guilty of transgression.
Robert LewisApril 19, 2016
Elaborating on the name given to Eve--there has been something in the marriage relationship that allows me to experience life differently. It seem to me that this relationship causes life for me to take on a greater richness or abundance, to have increased intensity and feeling, and more sensitivity to human relationships. There comes added color and texture to my experiences. Unmarried, outside of the marital relationship, I could not fully experience life. It was flat or one-dimensional. Marriage added a completeness, depth, and multi-dimensionality to my experience.
Events associated with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden exemplify these influences. When God provided a marriage partner to Adam, the man “called his wife’s name Eve [from the Hebrew, “life-giver”] ; because she was the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20). Beyond the fact of Eve bringing children into the world, this name might be thought to have given Adam new dimensionality to his perceptions, his feelings and his understanding of the world in which he was living. She was a life-giver to Adam in terms of the new and richer way that he was able to experience life with her as a companion. She provided a new and different window through which to view the world, a world richer in relationships, in perception of beauties, with greater sensitivity to others’ feelings.
John PackApril 18, 2016
Many good insights. I don't think it's complete, however. For example, I agree with the author that Eve had to be the one to partake first -- and that the final decision was delegated to her with Adam's full support (and that this should be the model for all priesthood decisions).
However, I personally believe that all of us made the same decision in the pre-existence as Adam or Eve. Or we wouldn't be here. We chose mortality with all of its limitations and failings and joys.
I especially like the idea that Adam, having taken the fruit from Eve, has become one of the living -- and, therefore, gives Eve the title, "Mother of All Living."
Pam PickettApril 17, 2016
This is a very interesting article, but I don't agree that the Tree of Life was "accepted" by Adam as his stewardship, while the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was Eve's stewardship. I believe that they were given commandments by God together and not separate and that in all things they were one, just as God expects us to be. While it is true that women bear the children physically, men and women as parents share in the responsibility to teach their children and care for them.
Good ReasonApril 17, 2016
This is a terrific essay! I very much like how the author has brought in material from the Jewish feminist literature; that's so very interesting and echoes (in part) the LDS understanding. Brava!
Laurel Lee PedersenApril 16, 2016
Thank you, Diana, for bringing all these sources together and sharing this illuminating depiction of Mother Eve. Great article to save and ponder!
AmaApril 16, 2016
I personally don't agree with the Writer where he says Eve was not present when the Commandment was given not to eat of the fruit, etc...
Both Adam and Eve were present when God married them and blessed them. Also, what does the Temple Endowment teach about this subject????
Joyce YoungApril 15, 2016
very interesting article. However, in the temple ceremony Adam and Eve are always together and given the commandments together. I also understand that the creation story in Genesis is the spiritual creation and not the physical.
KateApril 15, 2016
This is wonderful. Valerie Hudson opened my mind to so much about Eve--this adds even more. How blessed we are to have access to such brilliant women. Thanks for publishing this.
Samuel SkousenApril 15, 2016
Excellent article on a little examined subject. I need to reread it and ponder it. Not mentioned in the article is Eve's position in Genesis 1. Both she and Adam were created at the same time (Gen 1:27) and given the first commandment to multiply and replenish the earth. This commandment applies to us as we were also created at that time, before man (Adam) was placed on earth.
Also of interest, both Adam and Eve, when married by God, Gen. 2:22-24, it occurred before Eve partook of the fruit and death entered the world. It implies marriage should last for eternity.
Diane BurbachApril 15, 2016
This is such a true and beautuful interpretation of our Mother, Eve, and the role of God's daughters. This resonates deeply in my soul.
RichApril 15, 2016
An excellent article!! ALL women and men need to read this! It will give them a clear understanding of our particular roles and responsibilities and why we have them.
Good job, indeed!
Trish MercerApril 15, 2016
Wow. Just wow. I'll be digesting this article for weeks. Thank you so much, I feel filled beyond measure. Wow.
RicApril 15, 2016
I take exception with much of what this article is about because we are taught differently in the temple. I believe they both received the commandment and both knew of the consequences. I also believe Eve being a woman and potential mother had a great longing to fulfill her role on earth as a mother and for that reason was willing to take the step towards fulfilling the plan as it was intended. I laud her for her willingness to make that decision!
MarkApril 15, 2016
Wonderful article. Always nice to get to the real meaning of the original languages used to write the original words. Direct personal revelation is nice also. The original source. Thank you.
Barbara FallickApril 15, 2016
It must also be noted that God planted the Garden of Eden. Satan did not somehow sneak in there and plant the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil like in the parable of the tares and wheat. God planted it. God also permitted Satan to enter the Garden of Eden. God is in charge. It is all part of his plan.
Barbara FallickApril 15, 2016
I remember Terry Warner, a former philosophy professor at ByU saying that it was necessary for evil to come into the world through a means other than God. He, being Good, couldn't introduce evil into the world but evil is necessary for us to be able to make the choices between good and evil that we must make for earthly life to give us the experiences we are here to have.
MaryannApril 15, 2016
Interesting food for thought in this article. However, the Temple Endowment makes it very clear (in more than one instance) that Eve was also given the commandment to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
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Anthony D.August 24, 2018
"I only have one problem with this article. It implies that before eating the fruit Eve weighed the implications and made a conscience decision to do so. The scriptures make it clear that Eve was deceived and was in transgression. If the commandment to not eat the fruit was not given to Eve, as the article says, she would not have been guilty of transgression." The temple endowment, at least in the newer films, strongly suggests that Eve did in fact make a conscious decision to do so after weighing things out and then looking to the Lord for guidance. The serpent beguiled her in the things that he said. Here's the definition of beguile: charm or enchant (someone), often in a deceptive way. Not quite the same as deceiving, More like enticing her to eat of the fruit. Also, the word transgression means a crossing over. It doesn't always mean sin in the way that we might think. This was a transgression that God wanted to happen. It wasn't something she was guilty of. Also, I think this article does a good job of showing that scripturally, the commandment only came to Adam. "Interesting food for thought in this article. However, the Temple Endowment makes it very clear (in more than one instance) that Eve was also given the commandment to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil." The endowment film does seem to portray this whereas the scriptures do not. Keeping in mind that there have been changes in how things are portrayed in the film but not in the wording (at least not for quite some time), it isn't unreasonable to think that the wording still teaches what this article is supporting, even if it doesn't perfectly show that (and after all, the films are clearly open to change over time and not meant to be a perfect depiction of how everything happened, but really are aimed at teaching us symbolically and adding depth to the wording).
Ron BarnesApril 19, 2016
I only have one problem with this article. It implies that before eating the fruit Eve weighed the implications and made a conscience decision to do so. The scriptures make it clear that Eve was deceived and was in transgression. If the commandment to not eat the fruit was not given to Eve, as the article says, she would not have been guilty of transgression.
Robert LewisApril 19, 2016
Elaborating on the name given to Eve--there has been something in the marriage relationship that allows me to experience life differently. It seem to me that this relationship causes life for me to take on a greater richness or abundance, to have increased intensity and feeling, and more sensitivity to human relationships. There comes added color and texture to my experiences. Unmarried, outside of the marital relationship, I could not fully experience life. It was flat or one-dimensional. Marriage added a completeness, depth, and multi-dimensionality to my experience. Events associated with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden exemplify these influences. When God provided a marriage partner to Adam, the man “called his wife’s name Eve [from the Hebrew, “life-giver”] ; because she was the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20). Beyond the fact of Eve bringing children into the world, this name might be thought to have given Adam new dimensionality to his perceptions, his feelings and his understanding of the world in which he was living. She was a life-giver to Adam in terms of the new and richer way that he was able to experience life with her as a companion. She provided a new and different window through which to view the world, a world richer in relationships, in perception of beauties, with greater sensitivity to others’ feelings.
John PackApril 18, 2016
Many good insights. I don't think it's complete, however. For example, I agree with the author that Eve had to be the one to partake first -- and that the final decision was delegated to her with Adam's full support (and that this should be the model for all priesthood decisions). However, I personally believe that all of us made the same decision in the pre-existence as Adam or Eve. Or we wouldn't be here. We chose mortality with all of its limitations and failings and joys. I especially like the idea that Adam, having taken the fruit from Eve, has become one of the living -- and, therefore, gives Eve the title, "Mother of All Living."
Pam PickettApril 17, 2016
This is a very interesting article, but I don't agree that the Tree of Life was "accepted" by Adam as his stewardship, while the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was Eve's stewardship. I believe that they were given commandments by God together and not separate and that in all things they were one, just as God expects us to be. While it is true that women bear the children physically, men and women as parents share in the responsibility to teach their children and care for them.
Good ReasonApril 17, 2016
This is a terrific essay! I very much like how the author has brought in material from the Jewish feminist literature; that's so very interesting and echoes (in part) the LDS understanding. Brava!
Laurel Lee PedersenApril 16, 2016
Thank you, Diana, for bringing all these sources together and sharing this illuminating depiction of Mother Eve. Great article to save and ponder!
AmaApril 16, 2016
I personally don't agree with the Writer where he says Eve was not present when the Commandment was given not to eat of the fruit, etc... Both Adam and Eve were present when God married them and blessed them. Also, what does the Temple Endowment teach about this subject????
Joyce YoungApril 15, 2016
very interesting article. However, in the temple ceremony Adam and Eve are always together and given the commandments together. I also understand that the creation story in Genesis is the spiritual creation and not the physical.
KateApril 15, 2016
This is wonderful. Valerie Hudson opened my mind to so much about Eve--this adds even more. How blessed we are to have access to such brilliant women. Thanks for publishing this.
Samuel SkousenApril 15, 2016
Excellent article on a little examined subject. I need to reread it and ponder it. Not mentioned in the article is Eve's position in Genesis 1. Both she and Adam were created at the same time (Gen 1:27) and given the first commandment to multiply and replenish the earth. This commandment applies to us as we were also created at that time, before man (Adam) was placed on earth. Also of interest, both Adam and Eve, when married by God, Gen. 2:22-24, it occurred before Eve partook of the fruit and death entered the world. It implies marriage should last for eternity.
Diane BurbachApril 15, 2016
This is such a true and beautuful interpretation of our Mother, Eve, and the role of God's daughters. This resonates deeply in my soul.
RichApril 15, 2016
An excellent article!! ALL women and men need to read this! It will give them a clear understanding of our particular roles and responsibilities and why we have them. Good job, indeed!
Trish MercerApril 15, 2016
Wow. Just wow. I'll be digesting this article for weeks. Thank you so much, I feel filled beyond measure. Wow.
RicApril 15, 2016
I take exception with much of what this article is about because we are taught differently in the temple. I believe they both received the commandment and both knew of the consequences. I also believe Eve being a woman and potential mother had a great longing to fulfill her role on earth as a mother and for that reason was willing to take the step towards fulfilling the plan as it was intended. I laud her for her willingness to make that decision!
MarkApril 15, 2016
Wonderful article. Always nice to get to the real meaning of the original languages used to write the original words. Direct personal revelation is nice also. The original source. Thank you.
Barbara FallickApril 15, 2016
It must also be noted that God planted the Garden of Eden. Satan did not somehow sneak in there and plant the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil like in the parable of the tares and wheat. God planted it. God also permitted Satan to enter the Garden of Eden. God is in charge. It is all part of his plan.
Barbara FallickApril 15, 2016
I remember Terry Warner, a former philosophy professor at ByU saying that it was necessary for evil to come into the world through a means other than God. He, being Good, couldn't introduce evil into the world but evil is necessary for us to be able to make the choices between good and evil that we must make for earthly life to give us the experiences we are here to have.
MaryannApril 15, 2016
Interesting food for thought in this article. However, the Temple Endowment makes it very clear (in more than one instance) that Eve was also given the commandment to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
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