In Mormonism, the Biblical account of Adam and Eve is believed to be partly literal and partly symbolic, with much meaning and clarification added in the Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 3-5) and in the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 2). Adam and Eve are believed to have been placed on earth from another sphere, according to Brigham Young.[1] The expression that Eve was formed from Adam's rib is symbolic, in that she was "bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh," and treated as both a blessing for Adam and an equal partner, with neither fully complete without the other. (See 1 Corinthians 11:11) Adam partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil after Eve had partaken of it, knowing full well that they had been commanded to stay together and have posterity on the earth. Eve partook of this fruit through a deception by Satan in the Garden of Eden, but she is also viewed by Mormonism as having done a courageous thing by doing this act, because she knew it would lead to their death but she also believed (rightly so) that there must be more to life than remaining in innocence in an Edenic garden. Both of them later rejoiced in the choice they had made to bring about the Fall as they heard of the plan of salvation, including the plan for their redemption and that of their posterity through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Adam treated Eve as an equal partner in every respect, and relied on her advice. The intent of the statement that "he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16) is rendered more clear in the context of how Adam treated Eve, and in the following statement written by Joseph Smith about the righteous use of power: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile--." (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41,42)
The Commandment to Work
Latter-Day Saints believe that the commandment Adam received, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:19), and the seemingly ironical statement, "cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Genesis 3:17), are both compatible with and very necessary blessings included in the plan of salvation for mankind. They are part of a needful "opposition in all things," (2 Nephi 2:11) in that they lead to both personal growth and fulfillment and a testing process for mankind's patience, endurance and faith. Faithful Mormons do not lament the need to work. Brigham Young taught "that it is never any benefit to give, out and out, to man or woman, money, food, clothing, or anything else, if they are able-bodied, and can work and earn what they need, when there is anything on the earth for them to do."[2] Speaking of the Church Welfare program designed to administer to the needs of the poor among them, the LDS Church presidency taught in 1936:
"Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift, and self respect be once more established amongst our people. . . . Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership." (Conference Report, October 1936, Statement of the First Presidency, p. 3.)
Cain and Abel, Carnality, and its Opposite: Zion
Thus, the egregious sins of Cain included not only the murder of Abel after conspiring and following the advice of Satan, but also thinking that he could get gain and become "free" by taking over the flocks of his brother. (Moses 5:16-33) According to the Book of Moses, others of Adam and Eve's children as well as Cain "loved Satan more than God," and believed not the gospel but "began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish." (Moses 5:13) This carnality was not inherent in the bodies of mankind, but was taught them through the influence of Satan, who seeks to lead men and women "captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my (God's) voice." (Moses 4:4) In this way, conditions of apostasy, carnality, and seeking gain through dishonest means for the purpose of idleness (being "free" from the need to work) began on the earth through the pervasive influence of Satan.
Nevertheless, a righteous branch of mankind embraced the gospel taught them by Adam and Eve through their son Seth and particularly through a later descendant, Enoch. Through the teaching, faith and works of Enoch and his followers, "in process of time" the city of Enoch was established as a refuge from the wicked. This city became so fully compliant with gospel laws and brotherly love that "the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." (Moses 7:18)