We are free!

2 Nephi 2

I love this chapter of the Book of Mormon.  We are told by Lehi that there is opposition in all things (v11),    Adam fell that men might be (v25), and that the only object of a righteous parent is for the welfare of the souls of his/her children.  The story of Adam and Eve is told as well. 

I for one am very grateful for the “fall” as described in this chapter.  We are given some very specific blessings because of this act. 

• Bring about God’s eternal purposes (v15)
• We are free to make our own choices (v16)
• We know good from evil (v18)
• We get to work (v19)
• We can have families (v20)
• Our days are longer (v21)
• We can repent when we mess up (v21)
• We know joy through our families (v23 

I highlighted these blessings in my scriptures some time ago, but I added one today in my reading:  We get to work.  What a blessing it is to have work to do – a purpose in getting up in the morning and a reason to feel good about oneself when we go to bed at night.  I for one have never seen the Garden of Eden as being a place where I would want to live for very long.  What would you do?  It really seemed to me to be boring.  I hope that isn’t irreverent of me to say.  I enjoy taking care of my family, cleaning my home and making meals.  I enjoy serving in the church, caring for my neighbors.  I even enjoyed my days getting up in the morning and going to the office to work.  If it weren’t for work, what would we do? 

I think without work, we would be most miserable.  If there is any doubt, just look at the life of a person without family and purpose, and see just how happy they are.  If a person’s focus in life is their own selfish desires, entertainment, and avoidance of work, they are most miserable.  I don’t think we have to look far to prove this theory.