An Easter Message

Plan of Salvation

Last night our family was able to go see the play Children of Eden put on by Lehi High School which some of Jack's students were in. They did a great job and the production was well done with great effects, great voices, and great costumes. However, I was unfamiliar with the story and thought it was quite depressing. I felt it left out important parts of the bible story and the interpretation John Caird, author of the book, and Stephen Schwartz, composer of the music, had of God's character, Eve's character, and Cain's character was disappointing. I walked away thinking, "Do people really believe that?" If so, that is so sad.

I feel the knowledge of God's plan for us and the plan of salvation or plan of happiness is a blessing and with it, things make so much more sense. I never really realized that without that important aspect there can be so much confusion on Adam and Eve and the fall.

Though I don't plan to critique the whole play, I thought I would mention a few of my thoughts. In the play God's character is as though he is bored and decides to put Adam and Eve on the earth for some fun. Next, he gets angry at Eve for eating the fruit, and angry at Adam for choosing to be with Eve. He is unforgiving and states they can never return to live with him again (though magically they are with him after they die).  Adam offers sacrifices and they pray to their father throughout their life, yet He never speaks to them and secretly visits Cain and Abel. What a horrible depiction of our Father in Heaven. 

I know he is a loving father who had a plan (detailed later), placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gave them a commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, which was left out of the play altogether. We need to remember that this was the first commandment he gave to Adam and Eve, "God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 1:28). This would not have been possible had they remained in the garden, especially if Adam did not partake of the fruit and remained alone in the garden. He partook so he could be with Eve and keep Father's commandments. In the bible we read "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). He also "placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life" (Genesis 3:24). This being so Adam and Eve don't live forever in their sin. This does not sound like a hating, unforgiving  God. (Note, this tree is also not mentioned in the play)

I was surprised while talking to my husband that with his experience of being on a mission, much of the world does not believe Adam was a prophet. Some question if Noah was a prophet, and it isn't until Moses that people actually think, 'okay, yeah, he was a prophet." This simply is not true. Adam was a prophet of God who still spoke with God after he was cast out of the Garden. Communication with our father in heaven was not cut off then and it is not cut off now. 

To rewind in detailing a little about God's plan, we lived with God before we came to earth as spirit children. It was there that God presented this great plan. Those who accepted this plan, all of us, were permitted to come to earth to get a body and be tested. There was one, Lucifer, who rebelled against this plan and his followers were cast out of God's presence. Lucifer became Satan and now he and his followers have power to tempt us while on earth. We can choose good over evil and come unto Christ as he has asked of us.

God's plan for us is that we can become like him. The fall was a necessary part of this plan. Though we can not dwell with God in our sins, God's perfect plan included a Savior to come to earth and atone for our sins. Jesus Christ gave his life to atone for the sins of all mankind. Through this and his resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame spiritual and physical death. As we partake of this amazing gift, repent of our sins, and keep the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. Afte we die we will be resurrected as Christ and be judged. All of this is known as the Plan of Salvation. I am so grateful for our Father's perfect plan and know it is true.