The Fall - Romans 5:12-21

We’ve covered about a need for being saved and we’ve covered how that actually works and why, but it’s a pretty complex concept so Paul addresses one possible concern, which is how one man can atone for all the sins of mankind. Paul doesn’t initially name the culprit, but explains, “wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned… for if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

To explain this further, and actually quoting Paul here, James E. Talmage says in “Jesus the Christ,” As the penalty incident to the fall came upon the race through an individual act, it would manifestly unjust, and therefore impossible as part of the divine purpose, to make all men suffer the results thereof without provision for deliverance. Moreover, since by the transgression of one many sin came into the world and death was entailed upon all, it is consistent with reason that the atonement thus made necessary should be wrought by one.”
The first time that I heard this logic was really eye opening for me because I definitely didn’t understand how one man, Jesus, could take on all the pains and sins and suffering of the whole world in a way that satisfied justice. This logic that one man brought death into the world, therefore one man was all that was needed to take it out again made total sense and I was able to move passed that mental block in my understanding.
The IM comments, “As ‘the figure of him that was to come,’ Adam was a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul contrasted the effects of the Fall of Adam and the Atonement of Christ. Paul was the only New Testament writer to expound on how the Atonement overcomes the effects of the Fall, although several Book of Mormon prophets also taught about this concept.”
The Fall of Adam and the Atonement of Jesus Christ are two necessary steps in the plan of salvation and it took me a really long time to realize that. There is so much to talk about on this subject, but I feel like between the Book of Mormon, Jesus the Christ, and The Infinite Atonement I can’t say any more that what’s already been said. So I’m just going to leave it at that for today.