Have you ever wondered why Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first man and woman for Earth? Why were these particular people chosen to have the first marriage and to be the first to populate the planet? What was it about these two? Well in my opinion, these two were chosen because they were special, obedient, faithful people who could be trusted and counted on to effectively start the human race in an appropriate, successful manner. In this little article, some scriptures from Adam and Eve will be examined that illustrate some of the positive character, principles, and values of our oldest human parents.
Lessons from Adam and Eve:
*Effective communication and collaborative/joint decision-making: When Adam and Eve were tempted and beguiled by Satan, he (Satan) presented a half-truth to Adam and Eve that if they partook of the forbidden fruit, they wouldn’t die (false), but would have their eyes opened to differentiate good from evil (true). “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”—Genesis 3:4-5. So when Eve partakes the fruit to have children, Adam decides to take the fruit as well after listening to Eve’s reasoning. “And when the woman saw…a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did feat.”—Genesis 2:6. So, after Eve and Adam talked and reasoned together, Adam chose to join Eve and live a mortal existence.
*Adam and Eve fulfilled their original God-given gender roles: Eve bore children and effectively raised them, fulfilling her role as a wife and mother, including respecting Adam as the presider over the family. “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”—Genesis 3:16.
Furthermore, Adam effectively provided for Eve and their children (providing food) and protected them (against dangers). “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”—Genesis 3:17-19.
*Adam and Eve were faithful and committed to each other as married husband and wife. The way to approach marriage in these ways is outlined and fulfilled by Adam and Eve. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”—Genesis 2:24. Adam and Eve put each other as the main priority. They lived with each other, shared and spend their time and lives together, were faithful, and prioritized each other above the kids and other interests and priorities. A great role modeling.
*The married couple found joy in having and raising children and took on that responsibility joyfully. “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground”.—Genesis 4:1-2. Adam and Eve willingly and joyfully followed the commandments to multiply and replenish the Earth (have children), and to effective provide physical and emotional nourishment for them. Hence the positive explanation from Eve that, “I have gotten a man (children) from the Lord”. She embraced the responsibility openly and positively.
*After tragedy (Cain killing Abel), Adam and Even were traumatized but carried on and had and nurtured more children. “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.”—Genesis 4:25. When disappointment, even tragedy and trauma occur, we often are tempted to give up on our marriage and family responsibilities. However, Adam and Eve role modelled picking themselves up and continuing on the best they could manage. They did not give up and were willing to keep trying. We too can collect ourselves and try again after hurt and disappointment. We can also keep trying.
Final Thoughts:
The scriptures reveal that Adam and Eve truly were positive role models as individuals, as a married couple, and as a family. I encourage you to look to them as the positive examples they are, and to appreciate and incorporate the positive lessons you can learn from them. We can emulate their examples and approach marriage and family life in a healthy, happy fashion. Remember that if they could do it, we can do it too. And finally, remember that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:11.
Dr. G
P.S. If you have any questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2022-05-29 | Shawn Gordon | Healthy relationships, Communication, Conflict resolution |
About the author
I am a founder of this site and as of May 2015 I am happily married to a wonderful LDS woman. I spent my years in the singles system as a singles rep working to optimize events and maximize the effectiveness of people interacting and finding someone to love. I studied psychology for years and my years as a software and business consultant have made me very adept at understanding people and their motivations. I hope to help others find that same happiness that I have.