Is There No Other Way?

By Hollie Wells

All things in the temple ordinances typify and point to Christ. I have been thinking lately about a particular memorable line of the endowment that has a poignant connection to Christ and His atoning sacrifice. 

Right before Eve decides to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, she asks, almost rhetorically, “Is there no other way?” Meaning is there no other way for the plan to work? Is there no other way to have knowledge and become like God? You can almost sense a deep impending dread for all of the heartache, pain, evil, and unfairness that will unravel after they are cast out of the Garden of Eden. This question stands as a tipping point for this essential component of God’s plan: The Fall. 

This pensive moment mirrors the one right before the full weight of the Atonement washed over Christ. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed as he felt the weight of what was about to happen fall over Him. Before He suffered for every heartache, pain, evil, and unfairness that unraveled after the Fall of man, Jesus stopped and asked, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39). As if to say, “Is there no other way?” Is there no other way for Thy plan to be accomplished? His question was a tipping point for the most essential part of God’s plan: The Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Eve’s courage to partake of the fruit despite not knowing exactly what the results would be is a type of Christ’s meek willingness to follow up his question with, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Standing as sentinels at the Fall and the Atonement, two pillars of eternity, are Adam and Eve, and Jesus Christ. The first being the physical progenitors of our bodies, whose decision gave us all earthly life. The latter, the Everlasting Father of our new birth, whose decision gives us all spiritual life and will resurrect those physical bodies that will eventually die. 

There are types of Christ all around us and especially in the temple. These symbols are powerful reminders of the divine mission and character of Jesus Christ. I invite you to seek out new symbols, types, and connections you have not thought of before. I invite you to ponder on them this Easter season as we celebrate the glorious atoning sacrifice of the Savior of the World.  

About Hollie: Hollie is a senior at Brigham Young University, studying music. She is an avid reader, baker, and journal-writer. She loves studying and discussing gospel topics, especially anything temple-related. Most of all, she is a wife to a loving husband and the mother of one son.