Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Twenty

The Fall of Adam, the Atonement of Christ, and Marriage and Family

The atonement of Christ was necessary because of the fall of Adam, and the fall of Adam made families possible – If there had been no fall of Adam which brought mortality and death there could be no atonement of Christ which brings immortality and eternal life.  Eternal life is found in the eternal family. The fall of Adam, the atonement of Christ, and the family are all essential to the plan of salvation.  The following consequences came from the fall of Adam and are overcome by the atonement of Christ, both of which makes eternal families possible.

• Physical death is an essential and merciful part of the plan of salvation.  “For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Nephi 9:6).  Before the fall of Adam there was no death on the earth.  But when Adam and Eve fell things on the earth also fell and became mortal and subject to death.  The fall set the stage so all can be resurrected and perfected by the atonement of Christ.  Because of the atonement of Christ and through temple ordinances marriage and families can survive death and “to be united eternally” (The Family – A Proclamation to the World). 
• Spiritual death – Because of sin we “perish from that which is good…Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth” (2 Nephi 2:5-6).  Marriage and family, as intended by God, offer a great support system to help us live worthily.  “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities” (The Family – A Proclamation to the World).  
• Mortality and a probationary state – Adam fell that men might be (mortal); and men are (mortal) that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25, clarification added).  The fall allowed Adam and Eve and their posterity to be tested "to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25).  The fall allowed for procreation and families.  Joy comes now and in the eternities because of the atonement of Christ and because of families.

Like the fall of Adam and the atonement of Christ, marriage and family are essential parts of the plan of salvation – “We The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children…

“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.  We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force…

“The family is ordained of God.  Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.  Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” (The Family – A Proclamation to the World).

Because marriage between a family and man and a woman are essential to the plan of salvation the gospel of Jesus Christ provides an opportunity, whether in this life or in the next, for all who desire and are worthy of it to enjoy the blessing of an eternal marriage and family.

A prophetic warning and a call to action to support and defend marriage and the family - “Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.  We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

The prophecy and warning given in The Family – A Proclamation to the World issued in 1995 is being fulfilled – In the modern world traditional marriage and it values are increasingly under attack, and certainly the family is disintegrating.  We cannot control what the world and others may do, but we can give strict heed to the teaching found in The Family – A Proclamation to the World.  If we do so our marriage and family, made possible by the fall of Adam and the atonement of Christ, will be successful in this life and eternal in the life to come.