Garden (of Eden)

There are some stories that I accept as literal and yet they still can be seen as allegories because they teach universal truths that apply to all of us. I find several of these universal truths in the story of Adam and Eve.

1. We all lived in a "Garden of Eden" before we came to Earth. It was our pre-existent life in the presence of God and it was beautiful.

2. Like Adam and Eve, we chose to take the great step to become mortal and to live in an environment where we would experience both good and evil.

Moses 4:12

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that his became pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make her wise, she... Did eat and gave unto her husband and he did eat."

Job 38: 4-7 

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

3. We all make mistakes and try to hide. We know what shame feels like and we also know what forgiveness and peace feel like as another so graciously forgives us.  Nakedness is the symbol for shame and the clothing is the symbol of forgiveness or the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3:10

Behold I was naked and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:21

Unto Adam and also unto his wife did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins and clothed them.

4. We don't like life's difficulties but at the same time we recognize the growth that comes from these times.

Moses 5:11

And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.