From ‘Thou Mayest Choose II’, Beverly Campbell wrote:
Satan wishes to blur our knowledge of the absolutes of good and evil. The power inherent in that knowledge makes us like God. It is our choice of good over evil that makes us godlike. If the adversary is able to diminish or erase our sensitivities in this regard, his chance of keeping us from becoming as God are significantly enhanced, and therefore his hope of having us within his power are exponentially enhanced. We must never forget that our knowledge of good and evil also makes us free—“free to choose liberty and eternal life” (2 Nephi 2:27) How could anyone interpret that great promise to be a punishment? A challenge, yes; a punishment—never! (Now Continuing. . . .)
Elder Russell M. Nelson, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, today our Prophet, Seer and Revelator, hailed Adam and Eve’s course of conduct: “We and all mankind are forever blessed because of Eve’s great courage and wisdom. By taking of the fruit first, she did what needed to be done. Adam was wise enough to do likewise.”4
God’s Unique and Special Gift of Discernment
Discernment, the ability to see beyond the literal to the divine essential, has ever been God’s gift to women. Since Eve, women have faced the challenge of ambiguous choices that carry with them holy, life-altering consequences. On the correct resolution of these ambiguities hangs the future of generations, the civilizing of society, the basic dignity of the human race, and mortal life itself. Daily, women must make decisions based on things not seen or even known clearly. Often these decisions require great leaps of faith. Frequently these decisions must be based on what serves the greater good for the greatest number. Often such decisions require women to set aside their own well being in favor of another’s. The very process of bearing children illustrates this truth dramatically. It is a source of strength and comfort to many women to know that inherent in their divine nature is the innate ability to be in tune with God’s purposes.
Even more awe-inspiring is the knowledge that the Lord has such abiding faith in women’s judgment and wisdom. By His very actions He has shown women that He wants them to claim and properly act upon this gift. Women are surely loved of the Lord for Him to have placed them in such a position. As He relies on women to embrace the greater law, to bow to the greater commandment, He affirms their intellect, their integrity, and their righteousness.
“I, the Lord Commanded”
To gain a true understanding of the principles inherent in the Lord’s seemingly contradictory instructions, we must be sure that we know both meaning and context at the time they were recorded. So much from scripture has been lost through centuries of personal interpretation, overlain with customs of changing eras. ~Beverly Campbell, Eve and the Choice Made in Eden (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003). 69-70 Dwarsligger edition (Continued)
For the first post of this series, click: Nevertheless, Thou Mayest Choose IV
