"No Death Before the Fall" in new Signature book: Statements of the LDS First Presidency

First Presidency statements say Adam and Eve and all things on the earth became subject to mortality only after the Fall, according to a new book by Gary James Bergera, Statements of the LDS First Presidency: A Topical Compendium (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007):

"Adam and Eve were placed on earth in a state of innocence. They, the earth, and all things in it were pronounced very good, and without transgression would have remained in that state forever.

"When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, transgressing the law given to them by God, their nature was changed and they became subject to both spiritual and temporal deaths.

"Only after Adam and Eve became mortal did they begin to multiply and replenish the earth. Because of their transgression, they, their posterity, and all other things on earth became subject to the conditions of mortality....

"Adam and Eve were the first couple on this earth who were married for time and eternity, and this ceremony was performed by the Lord before the Fall, at which time there was no death and therefore it could not have been a time marriage." (pp. 7-8.)

Of course, this doctrine has been taught since the early days of the Church (see a couple of examples here). Also, the last six Presidents and thirty one Apostles have demonstrated a remarkable unity in their public statements on this subject (see several examples here).

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Every living thing will be resurrected

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that the effects of the atonement "cover all men, the earth itself and all forms of life thereon.... All forms of life, every living thing that has ever breathed the breath of life, every animal, fish, [or] fowl ... will come forth as immortal, resurrected beings and creatures. (D. & C. 29:22-26; 77:1-3.)" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 64-65, 256.)

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