kmfor

Well, in all my searching through church authorized material ive come to the conclusion that: to "transgress" a law means to break a law, plain and simple. To "transgress" or "break" a law of God is what we call "sin". Adam did infact transgress a law, But since it was God's law, it could also be called a sin. You could call it Either one and be correct but the difference is just what the word means not whether they sinned or not. They did sin because they transgressed God's law. No authorized book or manual teaches that there is a difference between a sin and Adams transgression. At church recently the teacher taught the difference was the intent behind their actions but that was incorrect. I think there are many theories that even make it into sunday school but that doesn't make it true doctrine.

I understood 'Canonicle' to mean a list of books considered to be authoritative scripture by a specific religion. The Standard works may be the "standard" books but we know there is much more authoritative scripture than that. The Hymn book for example, and any other book published by the church including manuals. Every member in the entire world is taught out of manuals every sunday. If they weren't official doctrine, they wouldn't be used to teach in such a manor. I haven't looked into the quote from Elder Oaks that you posted just yet. Thanks for reminding me.

I just read "Sins and Mistakes" by Dallin H Oaks and he stated "A deliberately wrong choice in the contest between what is clearly good and what is clearly bad is a sin, but a poor choice among things that are good, better, and best is merely a mistake. I cant relate it to Adam & Eve though because it wasn't a choice between good, better and best, it was a choice between bad and impossible. His talk was on Sin vs Mistakes, not Sin vs Transgression. He also stated "that is generally a matter of error (mistake) rather than transgression (sin)." So right there he is using the words 'sin' and 'transgression' as having the exact same meaning.

Not Canonical? If its on an official church web site (LDS.org) as a "Doctrines of the Gospel student Manual" I'm pretty sure the church includes it in their list of Canonicle books. And even if that manual isn't official, the Gospel Principles manual is for sure and in chapter 6 it says "their spirits were housed in physical bodies made from the dust of the earth". That may not cover the "no blood" detail but it certainly covers the "physical body" detail.

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/chapter-8-the-fall?lang=eng Supporting statements A "There was no blood in his body" "he also had a physical body of flesh and bones."

Oh there's definitely no such book, like you said. There are many answers to many questions we will never know in this life. Just needed to throw it out there and see if anyone knew of an official answer because I cant find one. Don't we know that Adam & Eve had physical bodies of flesh and bone but no blood though?

I share the same opinion. One specific reference that comes to mind is Gen 3:11 where it uses the word "Commanded".

This "sin vs transgression" question is one I've had for several years and I've heard many theories and personal opinions. What I'd really like is references that lead me to actual official church doctrine that answers this question, if there is any. Someone mentioned the talk by Dallin H Oaks and I'm going to check it out. If the prophets/Apostles have answered this question then that would be the true answer and any ideas that aren't in harmony with it are not correct. If they have not answered it then I guess to each his own.

So is this all personal thoughts or actual doctrine? The whole Adam & Eve story, taught since primary, is church doctrine and are we not taught it literally and physically happened? Does anyone have any references to back up what they're saying? I saw the one about being perfect, which we can achieve eventually without being forced to disobey any other law. I like official references because it shows me that its not merely a personal belief and maybe true maybe not. I just want to know what the actual answer is from the church if there is one. Any references? Ill check out that talk by Dallin H Oaks, thanks for that.

I enjoyed Shelly's and Vorts comments about Adam & Eve. Adam & Eve knew they were commanded not to eat the fruit. If Adam was first tempted by Lucifer and rejected it saying "Father commanded me not to and I will not partake" that would be a good indicator that he, and Eve alike, knew they were disobeying a commandment but did it anyway. no one crammed the fruit down their throats so it was definitely willful. On another note, going along with a point Vort made, if transgression isn't sin then why were they cast out of the garden and separated from God? Does that mean the mentally retarded will be cast out of God's presence also? How is that just?

I just found this website to see if anyone else had this same question and to hopefully find an answer. I read this entire thread but all I see is guesses and theories. Does no one have a solid answer to this question? I've had this question on my mind for several years and have yet to hear an answer that makes sense. God did in fact COMMAND them not to eat the fruit. Joseph Fielding Smith said they didn't have blood so they couldn't multiply. Were they not commanded to multiply? Why would God give a commandment that cant be fulfilled? Nephi tells us God doesn't do that. So the way he provided was through disobedience to another commandment? That just doesn't fit. What Nephi said was "I know that the lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them". Any one KNOW the answer to this without guessing or theorizing? By all means please! Then there's the "transgression" thing. Disobeying a commandment isn't a sin because what? I was told it was because of Adams intent But that answer could get people into trouble. Maybe there's another thread for that question. Quite a puzzle in my head here, sorry if It sounds like a rant.