Did Adam and Eve love each other?

[Just_A_Guy]

Here is a question- What is love?

Oh, baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me no more.

[sorry--couldn't resist.]

[beefche]

Why is it, that when I read JAG's post, my head starts twitching to the side?

[Blackmarch]

Most in the world will describe love as something you feel within.

To me, love is when you care so deeply for another person that you put their well-being above your own. The best example is what Jesus Christ voluntarily did for us in Gethsemane and on the cross, because He loves us. In my opinion, the second best example is very much the same:

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

To make my point, all you really need of this verse is "For God so loved the world that He gave..."

When your feelings for another cause you to give up something of great value for their benefit.

Again, in John 15: 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Thanks, I believe similarly.... While eve may have been tricked, Adam made a choice, and his choice reflects love everyway in this sense- he chose to die (and eventually be cast out of paradise) with his wife, over remaining in paradise in the presence of God. It would be hard to find a better example of marital love and devotion.

[Gwen]

Why do we assume Eve was tricked? What is to say she didn't also make concious choice just as Adam did? Would go a lot toward showing equality in their relationship. Eve made a choice of her own will. She didn't need Adam's "permission" to make that choice. Once she made that choice then Adam had a choice he had to make. He was impacted by her agency. He chose Eve.

[bytor2112]

Why do we assume Eve was tricked? What is to say she didn't also make concious choice just as Adam did? Would go a lot toward showing equality in their relationship. Eve made a choice of her own will. She didn't need Adam's "permission" to make that choice. Once she made that choice then Adam had a choice he had to make. He was impacted by her agency. He chose Eve.

Beguiled by the serpent she was......

[Dravin]

Why do we assume Eve was tricked?

Because:

13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

One of the synonyms for beguile is trick. Someone more familiar with the original word used (Volgadon? Snow?) may be able to shed more light on the intended meaning but as it stands the rendering of beguile as a synonym for trick is why people interpret the passage so.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Dravin

[Gwen]

Beguiled by the serpent she was......

merriam webster

Definition of BEGUILE

transitive verb

1

: to lead by deception

2

: hoodwink

3

: to while away especially by some agreeable occupation; also: divert 2

4

: to engage the interest of by or as if by guile

I agree she didn't have all the facts. But part truth is satan's game. She had enough truth to have made the decision god wanted her to make. In the end they had to leave the garden, that's an accepted truth. The definition doesn't say trick. I think 3 fits rather well here. He distracted or diverted her with something agreeable. He engaged her interest with deception.

Did she fully grasp every consequence at the time of the choice? probably not but then neither did Adam when he made his choice.

I don't like the impression left of putting Adam on a pedistal with Christ because he was "willing to die for Eve" but then say she was tricked. I think she was equally intelligent and tought out in her decision. She did the best she knew how to do, the best with the information she had. Which is exactly what Adam did.

[beefche]

I don't think that's so much a reflection on Eve, but on Satan. He deceived her, tricked her, into believing his lies. I think she didn't realize the blessing of the consequences were until AFTER she partook of the fruit. Then she had knowledge.

Before, she was innocent and although I think she did think out her decision, she was deceived into believing the lies from Satan. Therefore, her decision to partake was not based on facts, but on lies from Satan. We know his lies to be half truths or twisting of the truth, but I believe he still tricked her.

[Dravin]

The definition doesn't say trick.

Your reference doesn't say trick, others do (and more important is how the word was meant when the KJV was translated and less what a modern dictionary says). Your reference does use hoodwink which most people would accept as a synonym of trick.

I agree she didn't have all the facts. But part truth is satan's game.

Yes, he likes to trick people like that.

I, and most people, if they encountered this situation...

Person A: You should do this.

Person B: But I'll die if I drink cyanide.

Person A: No you won't.

Person B: *drinks cyanide*

Would be willing to say that person A tricked person B by lying to them about the consequences of the action they suggest. So even if it was accepted that your preferred rendering of beguiled was more accurate to the original text most people would continue to describe the situation as Eve being tricked (and be justified in doing so).

[Dravin]

I don't think that's so much a reflection on Eve, but on Satan.

Which is an excellent point. Eve was tricked by virtue of being given inaccurate information, it need not (and in my mind certainly does not) imply inferiority on her part.

[mnn727]

The endowment is highly symbolic and not meant to be an historical account other than in the most general sense.

The Covenants made are the major focus of the endowment IMO.

[mnn727]

To me, love is when you care so deeply for another person that you put their well-being above your own. .

have you ever been in love?

have you ever been married?

has there ever been a time you put your well being above that of your spouse?

do you love your spouse?

Sorry, but I have to reject that particular defination.

Edited August 23, 2011 by mnn727

[Dravin]

have you ever been in love?

have you ever been married?

has there ever been a time you put your well being above that of your spouse?

do you love your spouse?

Sorry, but I have to reject that particular defination.

I'm not Justice but I'll answer those:

1) Yes.

2) Yes.

3) Yes.

4) Yes.

I'm guessing that question 3 was supposed to be the 'catch'? Thing is well-being is a rather wide concept. Something tells me you're picturing jumping in front of bullets for her or some such. Staying up late to watch a sick kid so she can sleep qualifies, you are sacrificing your well-being (via sacrificing sleep) for theirs (as a plus you are sacrificing your well being for the benefit of the kid by comforting them). I get the sense that you feel the definition is overly narrow (I could be reading you incorrectly), it's actually quite broad. It equally defines the deep love one has for a spouse with the more open Christlike love such as say donating time and resources (that could be spent improving your own well-being by some metric) to go help the Scouts pick up donations for the food bank*.

* As such it doesn't work as a more specific definition. Kinda like how both cows and sponges are animals but there are notable differences between them.

Edited August 23, 2011 by Dravin

[Justice]

Thanks, Dravin.

All correct.

And, a question I'll add to yours, mnn727, is:

Have you ever had kids?

My answer would also be yes.

I'm sticking with my definition. Selfishness and love cannot reside at the same time.

[Justice]

One of the synonyms for beguile is trick. Someone more familiar with the original word used (Volgadon? Snow?) may be able to shed more light on the intended meaning but as it stands the rendering of beguile as a synonym for trick is why people interpret the passage so.

Actually, a literal translation from Hebrew to English is quite interesting.

King James Version

Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Young's Literal Translation

Genesis 3:13 And Jehovah God saith to the woman, `What is this thou hast done?` and the woman saith, `The serpent hath caused me to forget -- and I do eat.`

Parallel Hebrew Old Testament

"Caused me to forget" is quite interesting to LDS who are looking for symbolism.