Moses 4Moses 4There is a good argument that Moses 4:1-4 was There is a good argument that Moses 4:1-4 was taken out of the Genesis account by evil mentaken out of the Genesis account by evil men. .

Moses 4:1-2Moses 4:1-2 Satan and His Opposition to Satan and His Opposition to Heavenly Father’s PlanHeavenly Father’s Plan

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said that it is “extremely Elder Neal A. Maxwell said that it is “extremely important to get straight what happened in that important to get straight what happened in that pre-mortal council. It was not an unstructured pre-mortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out. formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out. Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the planto carry out the plan” (” (Deposition of a DiscipleDeposition of a Disciple (1976), 11).(1976), 11).

Imagine when we were in the pre-mortal Imagine when we were in the pre-mortal existence learning of the plan of redemption and existence learning of the plan of redemption and of the essential role of Christ’s Atonement. “I of the essential role of Christ’s Atonement. “I think [the Devil] not only ‘guaranteed’ salvation think [the Devil] not only ‘guaranteed’ salvation without effort for everybody but also probably without effort for everybody but also probably went around saying something like this: ‘Now went around saying something like this: ‘Now look, if you allow yourselves to be born into this look, if you allow yourselves to be born into this world subject to the fall of Adam, subject to sin world subject to the fall of Adam, subject to sin and to death, and if Jesus doesn’t come through, and to death, and if Jesus doesn’t come through, then you have lost your salvation’” (Matthews, then you have lost your salvation’” (Matthews, A A Bible! A Bible! Bible! A Bible! 288).288).

One can imagine Satan saying, “I know my plan One can imagine Satan saying, “I know my plan doesn’t offer you much, but at least it is a sure doesn’t offer you much, but at least it is a sure thing.thing.

When God brought before us His When God brought before us His plan of salvation, Jesus was there, plan of salvation, Jesus was there, volunteering meekly and humbly, volunteering meekly and humbly, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27), saying, “Father thy will be 3:27), saying, “Father thy will be done, and the glory be thine done, and the glory be thine forever” (Moses 4:2). The Father, forever” (Moses 4:2). The Father, ever anxious that all be free to ever anxious that all be free to choose, even gave Lucifer choose, even gave Lucifer opportunity to campaign (Neal A. opportunity to campaign (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, November 1987, , November 1987, 32).32).

Moses 4:1Moses 4:1 A bad case of “I Itis”A bad case of “I Itis”

The Father, ever anxious that all be The Father, ever anxious that all be free to choose, gave Lucifer free to choose, gave Lucifer opportunity to campaign. “Behold, opportunity to campaign. “Behold, her am I, send me, I will be thy son, her am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it, wherefore give me thine will do it, wherefore give me thine honor.” Note the ego dripping from honor.” Note the ego dripping from only three lines: two me’s and four only three lines: two me’s and four I’s. Those vertical pronouns are I’s. Those vertical pronouns are usually accompanied by unbending usually accompanied by unbending knees (Neal A. Maxwell, knees (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, , November 1987, 32).November 1987, 32).

Moses 4:2Moses 4:2 “Thy will be done”“Thy will be done”

A spiritually mature person realizes that it A spiritually mature person realizes that it is no longer about his/her and their will. is no longer about his/her and their will.

Are you spiritually mature?Are you spiritually mature?

Moses 4:3Moses 4:3 “Lucifer” “Lucifer”

Sought to destroy the agency of man!Sought to destroy the agency of man!

Lucifer Lucifer = = Shining one or light bearer, Shining one or light bearer, Son of Son of the Morning the Morning (Isaiah 14:12).(Isaiah 14:12).

Moses 4:4Moses 4:4 ““Satan’s DesiresSatan’s Desires””

President Brigham Young said: President Brigham Young said:

““Every person who desires and strives to be a Saint is Every person who desires and strives to be a Saint is closely watched by fallen spirits that came here when closely watched by fallen spirits that came here when Lucifer fell, and by the spirits of wicked persons who Lucifer fell, and by the spirits of wicked persons who have been here in tabernacles and departed from have been here in tabernacles and departed from themthem… … Those spirits are never idle; they are watching Those spirits are never idle; they are watching every person who wishes to do right, and are every person who wishes to do right, and are continually prompting them to do wrongcontinually prompting them to do wrong” (” (JDJD, 7:239). , 7:239).

Revelation 12:17Revelation 12:17 The dragon versus the The dragon versus the Woman!Woman!

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus ChristJesus Christ..

Moses 4:4Moses 4:4 Satan’s Mission Satan’s Mission Statement!Statement!

Ironic that those who embraced Ironic that those who embraced Satan’s cause “wherein none were to Satan’s cause “wherein none were to be lost,” become the only ones who be lost,” become the only ones who are everlastingly lost are everlastingly lost (Doctrine and (Doctrine and Covenants 76:37-39).Covenants 76:37-39).

Moses 4:5Moses 4:5 This is where Genesis 3This is where Genesis 3

beginsbegins

Evil always seeks company, Evil always seeks company, for it cannot be by itself for it cannot be by itself alone. Satan detests alone. Satan detests solitude, for solitude turns solitude, for solitude turns him in upon himself, him in upon himself, reminding him of what reminding him of what glories might have been glories might have been (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, Of One Of One HeartHeart, 50)., 50).

And he sought to beguile Eve (Moses 4:6).And he sought to beguile Eve (Moses 4:6).

Eve in Hebrew means “living.”Eve in Hebrew means “living.”

Lucifer seeks to beguile all “living.”Lucifer seeks to beguile all “living.”

Moses 4:6Moses 4:6 “for he knew not the mind “for he knew not the mind of of God, wherefore he sought God, wherefore he sought to to destroy the world”destroy the world”

Lucifer thought that the fall of Adam would lead Lucifer thought that the fall of Adam would lead to the eventual captivity of all of God’s children. to the eventual captivity of all of God’s children. He had no faith in the atonement and no light He had no faith in the atonement and no light (2 Nephi 9:9).(2 Nephi 9:9).

Lucifer actually contributed to the plan!Lucifer actually contributed to the plan!

He wanted glory, not growth; control, not salvation. He wanted glory, not growth; control, not salvation. His ascendancy meant more to him than our His ascendancy meant more to him than our agency. The devil is a despot (Neal A. Maxwell, agency. The devil is a despot (Neal A. Maxwell, Deposition of a DiscipleDeposition of a Disciple, 12)., 12).

Being a poor loser, Lucifer transferred his battle to Being a poor loser, Lucifer transferred his battle to this world where he displays his “wild desire to this world where he displays his “wild desire to manage everything.” The casualty rate in the pre-manage everything.” The casualty rate in the pre-mortal world was 33 percent, and Satan’s harvest mortal world was 33 percent, and Satan’s harvest will be high here in the second estate. Thus what will be high here in the second estate. Thus what we see about us is a protracted psychodrama we see about us is a protracted psychodrama reenacting his power play of the pre-mortal world. reenacting his power play of the pre-mortal world. He wanted status without service, power without He wanted status without service, power without perfection, and esteem not earned. Sodom was perfection, and esteem not earned. Sodom was one of Satan’s “finest” hours! (Neal A. Maxwell, one of Satan’s “finest” hours! (Neal A. Maxwell, Deposition of a DiscipleDeposition of a Disciple, 12)., 12).

Moses 4:12Moses 4:12 Why did Adam and Eve Why did Adam and Eve Partake of the Partake of the

Fruit?Fruit?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:

““It was Eve who first transgressed the It was Eve who first transgressed the limits of Eden in order to initiate the limits of Eden in order to initiate the conditions of mortality. Her act, conditions of mortality. Her act, whatever its nature, was formally a whatever its nature, was formally a transgression but eternally a glorious transgression but eternally a glorious necessity to open the doorway toward necessity to open the doorway toward eternal life. Adam showed his wisdom by eternal life. Adam showed his wisdom by doing the same. And thus Eve and ‘Adam doing the same. And thus Eve and ‘Adam fell that men might be’ (2 Nephi 2:25).fell that men might be’ (2 Nephi 2:25).

““Some Christians condemn Ever for her act, concluding Some Christians condemn Ever for her act, concluding that she and her daughters are somehow flawed by it. that she and her daughters are somehow flawed by it. Not the Latter-day Saints! Informed by revelation, we Not the Latter-day Saints! Informed by revelation, we celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode, called the Fall…. in the great episode, called the Fall….

Brigham Young declared, ‘We should never blame Brigham Young declared, ‘We should never blame Mother Eve, not the least’ (Mother Eve, not the least’ (JDJD, 13:145). , 13:145).

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said:

‘‘I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as sin, nor I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin…This was transgression of do I accuse Adam of a sin…This was transgression of the law, but not a sin…for it was something that Adam the law, but not a sin…for it was something that Adam and Eve had to do!” (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:114-15)” and Eve had to do!” (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:114-15)” (C.R., Oct. 1993, 98).(C.R., Oct. 1993, 98).

Moses 4:12Moses 4:12 The Difference between The Difference between Transgression and SinTransgression and Sin

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said that the “contrast Elder Dallin H. Oaks said that the “contrast between a sin and a transgression reminds us of between a sin and a transgression reminds us of the careful wording in the second article of faith: the careful wording in the second article of faith: ‘We believe that men will be punished for their ‘We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression’ own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression’ (italics added). It also echoes a familiar (italics added). It also echoes a familiar distinction in the law. Some acts, like murder, distinction in the law. Some acts, like murder, are crimes because they are inherently wrong. are crimes because they are inherently wrong. Other acts, like operating without a license, are Other acts, like operating without a license, are crimes only because they are legally prohibited. crimes only because they are legally prohibited. Under these distinction, the act that produced Under these distinction, the act that produced the Fall was not a sin --- inherently wrong --- but the Fall was not a sin --- inherently wrong --- but a transgression --- wrong because it was formally a transgression --- wrong because it was formally prohibited. These words are not always used to prohibited. These words are not always used to denote something different, but this distinction denote something different, but this distinction seems meaningful in the circumstances of the seems meaningful in the circumstances of the Fall” (C.R., Oct., 1993, 98).Fall” (C.R., Oct., 1993, 98).

Another meaning of the word transgress is “to go Another meaning of the word transgress is “to go beyond established limits or conditions.” Adam and beyond established limits or conditions.” Adam and Eve went beyond the limits that would have kept them Eve went beyond the limits that would have kept them in the Garden of Eden forever, and in so doing helped in the Garden of Eden forever, and in so doing helped provide the opportunity of mortality for all of us.provide the opportunity of mortality for all of us.

Moses 4:13Moses 4:13 The eyes of them both were opened, The eyes of them both were opened, and and they knew that they had been naked.they knew that they had been naked.

They were innocent and trusting, not knowing good They were innocent and trusting, not knowing good from evil. from evil.

And they sewed fig-leaves together and made And they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons.themselves aprons.

The fig is a symbol of fertilityThe fig is a symbol of fertility. .

This might have been there way of announcing that This might have been there way of announcing that they now had the power to create.they now had the power to create.

Moses 4:14Moses 4:14

Adam and Eve Tried to Hide from God:Adam and Eve Tried to Hide from God:

Once they gained knowledge of good and evil, Once they gained knowledge of good and evil, they became conscious of their disobedience they became conscious of their disobedience and unworthiness before God. It may be said and unworthiness before God. It may be said that they became aware and ashamed of their that they became aware and ashamed of their spiritual “nakedness.” spiritual “nakedness.”

As fallen beings, they had to face God with a As fallen beings, they had to face God with a sense of their own guilt (Alma 39:8, 2 Nephi sense of their own guilt (Alma 39:8, 2 Nephi 9:14).9:14).

Moses 4:15-19Moses 4:15-19

God asked Adam and Eve if they had God asked Adam and Eve if they had eaten the Fruit.eaten the Fruit.

Bruce R. McConkie taught, Bruce R. McConkie taught,

““personal accountabilitypersonal accountability for all of one’s for all of one’s acts underlies the whole gospel plan and acts underlies the whole gospel plan and is the natural outgrowth of the law of free is the natural outgrowth of the law of free agency” (agency” (Mormon DoctrineMormon Doctrine, 15)., 15).

Moses 4:19-20Moses 4:19-20 The Serpent Beguiled MeThe Serpent Beguiled Me

Serpent Serpent == cunning, sly, subtle, cunning, sly, subtle, deceitful, craftinessdeceitful, craftiness

The Curse The Curse == Satan would never have Satan would never have the the privilege of earth life privilege of earth life like cattle like cattle and beastand beast

Moses 4:21Moses 4:21

He (Christ) shall bruise (crush) thy head, and thou shalt He (Christ) shall bruise (crush) thy head, and thou shalt bruise thy heel.bruise thy heel.

Perhaps Satan’s greatest moment of glory was the Perhaps Satan’s greatest moment of glory was the crucifixion of Christ.crucifixion of Christ.

Moses 4:22Moses 4:22

““I will Greatly Multiply thy Sorrow”I will Greatly Multiply thy Sorrow”

The Hebrew word for “multiply” is rabah (raw-The Hebrew word for “multiply” is rabah (raw-bah), meaning to repeat over and over. It does bah), meaning to repeat over and over. It does not suggest greater sorrow, but rather repeated not suggest greater sorrow, but rather repeated sorrow. The Hebrew word for “sorrow” in the sorrow. The Hebrew word for “sorrow” in the Genesis account (Genesis 3:16) is from (aw-Genesis account (Genesis 3:16) is from (aw-tsab), which means “labor” or “pain.” While tsab), which means “labor” or “pain.” While these words suggest that toil and suffering these words suggest that toil and suffering would be a part of Eve’s life, Eve did not view would be a part of Eve’s life, Eve did not view the conditions that came upon her through the the conditions that came upon her through the Fall to be a curse. Fall to be a curse.

Genesis 3:20Genesis 3:20 When were Adam and Eve When were Adam and Eve sealed?sealed?

Before the fall, Adam and Eve were sealed (M.D., 242).Before the fall, Adam and Eve were sealed (M.D., 242).

““Our first parents were pure and noble, and when we pass behind Our first parents were pure and noble, and when we pass behind the veil we shall perhaps learn something of their high estate” the veil we shall perhaps learn something of their high estate” (Jesus the Christ, 30).(Jesus the Christ, 30).

Without question she was like unto her mighty husband, Adam, in Without question she was like unto her mighty husband, Adam, in intelligence and in devotion to righteousness, during both her first intelligence and in devotion to righteousness, during both her first and second estates of existence. and second estates of existence.

Before the fall Eve was sealed to Adam in the new and everlasting Before the fall Eve was sealed to Adam in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, a ceremony performed by the Lord before covenant of marriage, a ceremony performed by the Lord before death entered the world and therefore one destined to last forever death entered the world and therefore one destined to last forever (Moses 3:20-25).(Moses 3:20-25).

Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Adam in all his ministry, and Indeed, Eve is a joint-participant with Adam in all his ministry, and will inherit jointly with him all the blessings appertaining to his high will inherit jointly with him all the blessings appertaining to his high state of exaltation” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 242).state of exaltation” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 242).