sin vs. transgression

I had a conversation with a friend last week regarding the LDS view of Eve. She feels that Eve is villified for her sin. I think that is a common misperception in the world and sometimes in the church because we fail to distinguish between sin and transgression.

We need look no further than the second Article of Faith to see that "men are punished for their own SIN and not for Adam's TRANSGRESSION."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said sin is something that is inherently wrong such as murder. Other things are transgressions only because they are formally prohibited such as speeding or driving without a license.

Such is the case with Adam and Eve. Partaking of the fruit was a transgression only because it had been formally prohibited. Yet, it was necessary and was part of the plan. God didn't say, "Oops! They screwed up! I didn't see that coming." He didn't have to adjust his plans to compensate for their fall. That was THE PLAN.

Nowhere in the scriptures do we get any indication that Adam and Eve have given themselves over to Satan. In fact, the biblical story of Adam and Eve mentions Satan in only six verses: Genesis 3:1–4, 13, and 15. These verses are all in relation to the temptation in the garden. There are no subsequent references to Satan’s interference in their lives. Moses 5 gives considerable detail about his influence within the ranks of Adam and Eve’s family in mortality.

"...men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish” (Moses 5:12–13). It is very instructive that even though Adam and Eve had earlier yielded to Satan’s influence in Eden, these words were not used to describe them but rather to describe their disobedient sons and daughters.

Adam and Eve are glorious beings! I know this to be true!