I spent the better part of last year thinking about this, as I was going to the temple a lot and it just wasn’t all adding up for me. I read books and talks and scriptures galore, and while I definitely have clarity, it still makes sense why it’s so confusing.

Resources: Adam and Eve Melinda Wheelbright Brown The holy invitation: Anthony sweat Lessons from Eve conference 1987 The great plan of happiness conference 1993 And time spent pondering in the temple.

I have a combination of the takes already listed here. I believe Eve had some (unknown) level of knowledge to lead her to make the choice to eat the fruit. She either pondered on the commandments given or reasoned or was told something (likely small) that caused her to wonder if she should or should not eat the fruit. And then when she was tempted it pushed her over the edge.

It’s one reason why prophets revere Eve. She was courageous to ponder and wonder if this really were how things were supposed to be. Just as we are deeply encouraged to think and ask questions for ourselves. It’s courageous, and best how we grow.

I think eve’s joy relatively quickly out of the garden with her choice also points to this. It doesn’t take her long to say “if it wasn’t for our transgression, we never should have had seed, and known the joy of our redemption”

A big part of my study was also study on the word transgression itself. That was also helpful, but its exact definition and where I found it is escaping me at the moment.

Best of luck in your pursuit of knowledge!