Mormons differ from other Christians by teaching that the Fall was necessary for our own spiritual advancement. For one thing, it says in the Book of Mormon, that without the Fall, Adam and Eve would have had no children (2 Nephi Chapter 2). The Fall, and the ensuing mortality, are steps along the way for us, since (a) we grow spiritually by making choices between good and evil, and (b) getting a physical body, albeit a mortal one, was a necessary step toward obtaining the glorified bodies which we will have after the resurrection. (Other Christian religions, conversely, generally teach that Adam's fall was the worst thing that could have happened.)

So, the question is was the Fall planned by God?

Different people may have opinions on the subject, by mine is that the Fall was certainly planned *for*, by God, but I'm not sure that's the same thing as being planned by God. For example, God (being omniscient) certainly knew what Adam and Eve would do. Was the whole "don't partake of the forbidden fruit" thing all a set-up, then? I don't think so, any more than presenting us with temptations (when God knows we will occasionally succumb) means that we are being set up.

Other Mormons may disagree, but I believe that Adam was acting against God's will when he partook, and thus committed sin. (Some Mormons believe that Adam's act, though a "transgression", was not a real sin, since it was part of God's plan.) That God can make good happen from sin is evident to me in the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. It led to the crucifixion, but also to the salvation of man. One might even say that without the killing of Christ, we would not have been able to be redeemed. Yet was the betrayal a good act? No. Similarly, one might say that without the Fall we would not be able to develop spiritually. Yet was the Fall from a good act? No.

To let me try to be absolutely consistent with Mormon doctrine, I'll try to outline some points that I think all Mormons would agree on. Note that Mormons believe that our spirits existed prior to our birth (and prior to the creation of the earth), in a "premortal existence".

1. We could not have progressed further than we did in the premortal existence without gaining physical bodies. Part of God's plan involved us gaining physical bodies.

2. A lot of Mormons would add that further progression required the ability to make choices outside of God's presence. I believe this to some extent, but some limited choices were evidently possible since (a) many spirits did not choose to follow the plan, but rather Satan, and (b) Adam and Eve were capable of choices while still in the Garden.

3. Sin is an individual choice. Adam and Eve's sin were due to their own choices.

4. God knows all. He certainly knew what choice Adam and Eve would make.

5. Adam's sin was certainly provided for in God's plan. God evidently decided that the result of Adam's sin (death, suffering, etc.) was a way to accomplish His goals. (Most Mormons would probably say the "only way".)

6. I don't know if you can stretch that to say that God planned for Adam to sin, any more than you can say that God's knowledge of John's future sins means that God plans for me to commit those sins.