When I was younger, I wondered why the Prophet Joseph Smith included teachings about Adam and Eve's transgression and the Fall in the Second Article of Faith.

Today, I know that when Joseph wrote Mr. Wentworth, the editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, he wanted to point out how different the Mormon belief was from the religious beliefs of the day. Original sin, or the belief that men and women enter this earth life tainted with Adam and Eve's sin, was the accepted Christian belief. While translating the Book of Mormon Joseph learned of the necessity and impact of the Fall and how God's plan would overcome its consequences through the Atonement."And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the Garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin." (2 Ne. 2:22-23.)

The Fall was necessary so we could have the experiences of an earthly life, to know good from evil; to act for ourselves and not only to be acted upon (verse 26).

As a child, I was taught that in the Council in Heaven Satan rebelled against God's plan and wanted to force all mankind to obey the commandments of God, supposedly ensuring everyone's return to God's presence. At that time I thought this was possibly a very good idea. At least we'd all make it back to heaven.

However, as an adult, I've learned what an essential element agency is in this earthly experience. It allows all of us the chance to make mistakes and suffer the painful consequences, not only of our own mistakes but sometimes for the mistakes of others. It also allows us to gain experience. These experiences help us progress toward God, and give us knowledge. Joseph Smith wrote, Satan "sought for things which were unlawful." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 297.)

Brigham Young said: "The Lord Almighty has organized man for the express purpose of becoming an independent being like unto Himself, and has given him his individual agency. Man is made in the likeness of His Creator, the great archetype of the human species, who bestowed upon him the principles of eternity, planting immortality within him, and leaving him at liberty to act in the way that seemeth good unto him. . . . (Millennial Star 220:43.)

In preparing this article, I discussed the importance of agency with Anthony, who is 6 years old and in the first grade. I asked Anthony if he thought it would really be a test for choosing between right and wrong if his father accompanied him every day to school and to the playground and monitored his choices. Anthony's answer shows the simplicity, yet depth of a child's understanding: "That wouldn't work out at all!" he said.

The Lord obeys eternal laws. Agency is a very simple concept. If God were to intervene every time one of us makes a mistake, or to prevent us from suffering as a result of a mistake of another, or to prevent pain or hunger or anguish, we would not have the experiences necessary to exalt us. It is through the exercise of agency that we have experiences that help us attain our greatest potential. It is through interaction with other men and women on this earth that we come to acquire the God-like traits of compassion, unconditional love, temperance, patience, kindness, godliness, charity and humility. Lehi was right when he taught, "There must needs be an opposition in all things." (2 Nephi 2:11.)

Also as a youngster I struggled with the idea of being "punished" for sins. The scriptures seem to present a picture of black and white. "And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself, for behold ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you." (Hel. 14:30-31.)

But in real life, the gray areas are undeniable. Our range of choices may be restricted by our circumstances or the exercise by others of their agency.

On Jan. 21, 1836, Joseph Smith received a vision of the celestial kingdom where he saw his brother Alvin, that had "long since slept." Alvin had died before the restoration of the gospel and therefore had not been baptized. When Joseph asked the Lord how Alvin had come to be in the celestial world, he was told: "All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God. (D&C 137:7.)

Joseph also learned in the same vision that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom. In all cases, our actions will be judged by the Savior who understands the inequities of this life, who knows the pure intents of our hearts, and yet is fair and just.

As a child, it seemed to me that most decisions were pretty straightforward; a decision was either right or wrong. But as an adult, I've discovered that many decisions are a choice between good choices or sometimes the lesser of two evils. It is in the process of exercising agency, seeking heavenly guidance, and making decisions that we come to know ourselves and God. It was to obtain this knowledge that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and it is also one of God's purposes for our being here on earth: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Having chosen to come here to live this life, we accept our circumstances and exercise faith in the justice and mercy of Jesus Christ.

- Susan Frazier was recently released as the nursery leader in the Alexandria Ward, Mt. Vernon Virginia Stake.