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Patriarchs and Prophets
own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die.
She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared,
than from touching it. Perceiving no evil results from what she had
done, Eve grew bolder. When she “saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make
one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful
to the taste, and as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and
imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Without a
fear she plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she
became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In
a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with
the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had
occurred.
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam. He appeared
astonished and alarmed. To the words of Eve he replied that this must
be the foe against whom they had been warned; and by the divine
sentence she must die. In answer she urged him to eat, repeating the
words of the serpent, that they should not surely die. She reasoned that
this must be true, for she felt no evidence of God’s displeasure, but on
the contrary realized a delicious, exhilarating influence, thrilling every
faculty with new life, such, she imagined, as inspired the heavenly
messengers.
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the com-
mand of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a
test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind.
He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But
now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society
had been his joy. How could he have it thus? Adam had enjoyed the
companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the
glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the
human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings
were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes
outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator—all
were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he
could not endure the thought of separation. He did not realize that the
same Infinite Power who had from the dust of the earth created him, a
living, beautiful form, and had in love given him a companion, could
supply her place. He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he