The following are excerpts from the book “The Voice of the Seventh Angel”.
Who was Cain? He was the Son of God (Adam), but by disobedience he became the ruler of Satan and the father of his lies; or, in other words, Cain became the Grand Master of that secret combination of old.
But why did Cain listen to the voice of Satan? We shall answer this question in this way. Why did Eve listen to the voice of that old serpent which is the devil? Was it not because Satan flattered and deceived her? Why did Adam transgress also? These are some of the principal facts that had shaped Cain’s life and character.
Adam became God, knowing good and evil and was sent forth to till (teach) the ground (mankind). Eve became the mother of all living, even of the sons and daughters of God.
Why did not Abel listen to the temptings of Satan? Because he knew him to be a liar and a deceiver, bringing another gospel which was not a gospel but was contrary to the order of heaven taught by Adam.
Or, in other words, Abel had come to re-birth when Adam and Eve were under the influence of the gospel and had received the Holy Ghost—the very Eternal Father; hence, this Son could not be led away by the flattering tongue of the serpent (a man controlled by the spirit of lies;) —the one son receives the greater counsel from his father, (God), the other son rejects it and receives the lesser counsel, taught by Satan, and committed a terrible crime for which he was banished from his father’s presence and native land.
It is written a certain man had two sons, one was obedient and remained with his father, the other gathered together his goods and went into a far country.
What are we to understand by this parable which Jesus spake? It is a representation of Adam and two of his sons—Abel represents the Father, and the fulness of power and glory; Cain represents the Son, who received not a fulness at first, but afterward by tribulation and suffering. Or, when he returned to his father’s house, having gone through all things and below all things that he might (in the character of the Son of Man, as also the Son of God,) finally subdue all things to the will of the Father. Thus we can see in those two sons the spiritual and temporal distinct and separate; apparently each one doing his own work apart, still harmoniously accomplishing the grand plan of salvation and eternal redemption and judgment.
Again we identify these two individuals in Jacob and Joseph— In Abraham and Melchizedek—In Moses and Him who dwelt in the bush—In David and Solomon—Lehi and Nephi—King Benjamin and Messiah—Job and Daniel— Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar— Laammi and Jezreel—The two sons who fainted not—The two Olive Trees—The two Anointed ones—The Two Witnesses—Elijah and Moses—John and Jesus—John the Revelator and Jesus Christ, the Prince of the Kings of the earth— The Most High and the Only-begotten Son—-The Lord God and Adam at the beginning —The Father and Son at the end—The Son that overcomes and inherits all things and the Father who hath given all things into his hands. Thus it was the Father and Son at the beginning, and it is the Father and Son at the end of time. Adam was the Son of God when placed in the Garden of Eden, because he Had been taught of the Most High, but in order that he might be tested and judged (and by him all mankind) a law or laws were introduced and commandments given which if disregarded death would be the result.
When Satan had considered this great and significant occurrence in the history of the race, he took an opportunity to have a private talk with Eve; (he well understood from personal acquaintance, that Adam would not receive his teachings), which were as follows: Sister Eve, I am so sorry for you on account of your husband who is teaching such terrible doctrines, why he has even declared that there is no authority in the church and that I am a usurper. I know that Brother Adam is a good, honest man; but he is deceived. It cannot be (and he dropped a tear) and proceeds—It must be that Adam has been led away by that other fellow, [The Most High] for he used to bear a good and faithful testimony in our meetings that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God; but alas now some strange spirit has gotten hold of him, and these two men are gone crazy on religion and no one can turn them; but sister, we are all anxious to save you. [Eve listened very freely] The old serpent then began to ask questions and threw around her another of his flashing coils with charming effect, saying, sister, surely you don’t believe in the nonsense these men teach, for instance, they say that all the world is in a state of darkness and ignorance of the true God and that all mankind are without knowledge of good and evil. It cannot be that everybody is wrong and these two men are right; Sister, only consider some of their doctrines; has Adam not told you that if you were to eat of a certain tree, [receive the teachings of the tempter], it would destroy you? What nonsense, it’s not true, don’t you believe it; he only said this to keep you in bondage, don’t listen to such foolish ideas, sister, for your husband both know that I and the people [church] I represent eat similar fruit all the time, and we have joy in our works, [but they are only for a season, at the end we shall be cut down and cast into the fire which is the second death]; and we are blessed with the spirit’s power, and we have tongues and gifts and prophesyings and at the same time we eat and drink just what we like; moreover, we are wise and have great knowledge, our understanding reaches to heaven and none can stand before our elders. Now if you will but do what I tell you, only eat of that tree yonder in the midst of the garden, you shall become wise, also, and we will show that these two men are liars, are seeking to exalt themselves; but they cannot stand against the whole church very long and we shall overcome them and destroy their work, don’t you think so, sister; what have you to say about the matter, it concerns you more than anyone else, we are all your friends and desire to help you [by separating you from your husband]?
Eve answers as follows, [being completely under the influence of this mortal serpent and his delusive power;]—I have not much faith in the testimony of these two men, but I think that my husband would be a different man, and overcome these wild notions and strange doctrines, if there could be a separation made between them, I do not feel happy when they are together. I must say I am not at all changed by their teachings: but I am the same as I always have been, I am really with you, and I used to be happy in your meetings, when the gifts were manifested, and the spirit of God came down in power, and we all rejoiced together; but alas! these joyous seasons soon passed away, and how great a change has come, will you and the brethren pray for me? Eve is beguiled, and the serpent departs well satisfied with his apparent success and awaits under cover the result of his pleasant chat with the sister.
Adam came on the scene and Eve began to tell what had taken place in his absence, and that she had met Brother Satan and he was so concerned about my welfare and expressed such great sorrow for me in my affliction and trouble, he even shed tears, and he was so kind and humble, I thought that he must be a good man and I expressed my feelings to him, and he exclaimed Oh, sister! if you will only eat of that beautiful tree [false prophet] with such pleasant fruit [false doctrines] you will be happy and wise and live forever. I could not see any harm the fruit could do unto me, and I obeyed the voice of the serpent and I have brought some of the fruit for you to taste of. Adam put forth his hand and eat also, the spirit of disobedience entered them both and the fall of man was complete; instantly both were filled with shame and fear and sought to avoid the presence of the Lord God; spiritual death had already taken hold upon them and the decree of the Most High “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” was fulfilled; Satan was proven to be a liar and whenever known to tell the truth it was with an object to deceive and overcome, as when he said to Eve, that they should become as Gods, knowing good and evil, which was true, but when he said they should not surely die, he was a liar and the truth could not abide in him; for death immediately took place, on the evening of that day we are told they sought to hide themselves, the breaking of the commandments of God had given them a knowledge of their condition and they sewed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness. Or, in other words, they tried to excuse themselves, the man saying, it is the woman and the woman said it is the serpent who deceived me by his nattering lips, and the serpent had none to fall back upon he being the source and the spirit of disobedience. Each received their work and missions in accordance with their natures and their actions.
Adam became God, knowing good and evil and was sent forth to till (teach) the ground (mankind).
Eve became the mother of all living, even of the sons and daughters of God.
The serpent became the devil and entered upon the work given him to do being in accord with his nature and character.
The Most High in due time found another tabernacle in Abel and again in Seth. Thus Adam (God) became the Father and creator of good and evil.
And throughout all time and in every age of the world, these individuals have done their work and filled their missions—sometimes as rulers at other times subject to rulers—sometimes as kings, at other times as servants—sometimes as men of war, at other times as angels of peace—sometimes as gods giving the words of life and truth, at another time humbly carrying out those principles—sometimes in the majesty of God commanding the elements, and they instantly obey the voice; at another time subject to the elements, —sometimes striking terror to the hearts of the wicked, and a host of hypocrites, thieves and murderers flee at the rebuke of one; and at another time led as a lamb to the slaughter, and not open his mouth, and so we might continue to trace their history; But we shall ask the question—
What was the grand purpose of this wonderful experience in the varied conditions of life these individuals had to pass through?
It was to reveal and test their character and to prepare and educate them for their final positions in eternity, when time shall be no more.
How long were Adam and Eve excluded from the Garden of Eden? For a period of six thousand years, at the end of this term they were reinstated, and this event closed the probation of mankind.