God promised Adam and Eve that they would surely die if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Because they did not physically die right after they ate, some skeptics like to say this is a contradiction. Yet the majority of Jewish and Christian commentators agree that, while both Adam and Eve eventually died, this passage refers to a spiritual death. Paul explained in Rom 5:12-21 how all humans were declared guilty through Adam’s sin, which resulted in “judgment” and “condemnation” (v. 16).  Fortunately, a remedy was made available through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thus, “through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification” for believers (v. 18). Despite the horrific penalty caused by the original sin, there is a provision for eternal life by way of the cross and a belief in Jesus Christ. 

For other passages discussing common passages used by Latter-day Saints, click here.