Joseph Smith Believes in the Fall as Recorded in the Bible — Matthew L. Davis (February 5, 1840)
I believe in the fall of man, as recorded in the Bible.
Discourse, 5 February 1840, p. 1, The Joseph Smith Papers. See also, History, 1838–1856, volume C-1, p. 1014, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Fall of Adam Was Foreordained — M. L. Davis (February 5, 1840)
I believe in the fall of man, as recorded in the Bible. I believe that God fore-knew every thing; but did not fore-ordain every thing. I deny that fore-ordain and fore-know is the same thing. He fore-ordained the fall of man: But all merciful as he is, he fore-ordained, at the same time, a plan of redemption for all mankind. I believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that he died for the sins of all men, who in Adam had fallen
He then entered into some details, the result of which tended to shew his total unbelief of what is termed Original Sin. He believes that it is washed away by the blood of Christ, and that it no longer Exists. As a necessary consequence, he believes that we are all born pure and undefiled. That all children dying at an Early (say eight years) not knowing good from ill, were incapable of sinning; and that all such assuredly go to Heaven.
I believe, said he, that a man is a moral, responsible, free agent, that although it was fore-ordained he should fall and be redeemed; yet after the redemption it was not fore-ordained that he should again sin.
Discourse, 5 February 1840, pp. 1-2, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Fall of Adam Was Appointed & Provisions Were Made — William McIntire (circa February 9, 1841)
Joseph said in answer to Mr. Hosea stout that adam Did Not Comit sin in eating the fruit, for God had Decreed that he should Eat & fall— But in complyance with the Decree he should Die— only he should Die was the saying of the Lord therefore the Lord apointed us to fall & also Redeemed us— for where sin abounded Grace did Much More abound— for Paul says Rom.— 5— 10 for if— when were Enemys we were Reconciled to God by the Death of his Son, much more, being Reconciled, we shall be saved by his Life
Account of Meeting and Discourse, circa 9 February 1841, pp. 10-11, The Joseph Smith Papers.
