Adam quite well understood that his companion had transgressed the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. Eve reasoned that the serpent said they should not surely die, and his words must be true, for she felt no signs of God’s displeasure, but a pleasant influence, as she imagined the angels felt. Adam regretted that Eve had left his side; but now the deed was done. He must be separated from her whose society he had loved so well. How could he have it thus? His love for Eve was strong. And in utter discouragement he resolved to share her fate. He reasoned that Eve was a part of himself; and if she must die, he would die with her; for he could not bear the thought of separation from her. He lacked faith in his merciful and benevolent Creator. He did not think that God, who had formed him out of the dust of the ground into a living, beautiful form, and had created Eve to be his companion, could supply her place. After all, might not the words of this wise serpent be correct? Eve was before him, just as lovely and beautiful, and apparently as innocent, as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater, higher love for him than before her disobedience, as the effects of the fruit she had eaten. He saw in her no signs of death. She had told him of the happy influence of the fruit, of her ardent love for him, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate it, and, like Eve, felt not immediately its ill effects. {1SP 39.2}

Adam forstod meget godt at hans ægtefælde havde overtrådt det eneste forbud der var dem pålagt som en prøve på deres troskab og kærlighed. Eva sluttede at slangens ord måtte være sande, thi han sagde at de skulle ikke dø døden, og hun fornemmede ingen tegn på Guds mishag, men en behagelig indflydelse, ligesom hun forstillede sig at englene ville følge. Adam forstod at Eva havde forladt ham; men nu var gerningen sket. Han måtte skilles fra hende hvis selskab han havde elsket så højt. Hvorledes kunne han bære dette? Hans kærlighed til Eva var stærk. Og i yderlig modløshed besluttede han at dele hendes skæbne. Han forestillede sig hvorledes Eva var en del af ham selv; og dersom hun måtte dø, så ville han dø med hende; thi han kunne ikke udholde tanken om adskillelse fra hende. Han manglede tro på sin barmhjertige og nådige Skaber. Han tænkte ikke på at Gud, som havde dannet ham af jordens støv til et skønt levende væsen, og havde skabt Eva til at være hans ægtefælle, kunne udfylde hendes plads. Bare ikke denne vise slanges ord var rette ? Eva stod for ham ligeså skøn og elskelig og tilsyneladende lige så uskyldig som før sin ulydighedsgerning. Hun udtrykte inderligere og højere kærlighed for ham end før sin ulydighed, for sin virkning af frugten hun (40) havde spist. Han så ingen tegn til død på hende. Hun havde fortalt ham om frugtens lyksalige indflydelse om hendes inderlige kærlighed til ham, og han besluttede at trodse følgerne. Han greb frugten og spiste den hurtigt, ligesom Eva, følte ham ikke øjeblikkelig dens onde virkninger.