Though created innocent and holy, our first parents were not placed beyond the possibility of wrong-doing. God might have created them without the power to transgress His requirements, but in that case there could have been no development of character; their service would not have been voluntary, but forced. Therefore He gave them the power of choice--the power to yield or to withhold obedience. And before they could receive in fullness the blessings He desired to impart, their love and loyalty must be tested.

Skønt vore første forældre var skabt som syndfri og hellige, var de dog ikke udelukkede fra muligheden af at synde. Gud kunne have skabt dem uden evne til at overtræde hans krav, men i så fald kunne der ikke være sket nogen udvikling af karakteren, og deres tjeneste ville ikke have været frivillig, men påtvungen. Derfor gav han dem evnen til at vælge evnen til at vise lydighed eller lade være. Men før de fuldt ud kunne modtage de velsignelser, han ønskede at tildele dem, måtte deres kærlighed og troskab sættes på prøve.