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May 28, 2008

Cami rated it:

Have you ever considered how greatly your general feelings about yourself (if you are a woman) and the female gender are influenced by the story of the Creation and the generally acknowledged opinions about Mother Eve?
The more I thought about this, I found myself agreeing with a statement from the Washington Post quoted in this book: "The story of Eve in the book of Genesis has had a more profoundly negative impact on women throughout history than any other."
This book expl More...

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Apr 04, 2008

Laura rated it:

My book group read this book at the first of the year. The library had 16 copies and half a dozen holds so I had to go buy my own copy and I'm glad that I did. This book is a must read for every woman on the planet! It can change the way women feel about themselves. The research of Beverly Campell in writing this book was amazing...she sited scriptures, and prophets, and used experts to better define Hebrew words to give us a better understanding of what actually happened in the Garden of Ed More...

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Feb 11, 2012

Christina rated it:

I loved the first half of this book. I found it enlightening and full of good insights, even if I had read many of the quotes used before. I enjoyed reading of the real meaning of the word "helpmeet" which is actually a "power equal to save," though I've read a more powerful explanation of the term in this article: http://ldsmag.com/component/zine/article... . There's another treatment of the term here: http://womeninthescriptures.blogspot.com... . I was fascinated also More...

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Sep 18, 2011

Lisa rated it:

Two things I particularly appreciate in Beverly Campbell's treatment of this topic are her comprehensive organization of the story, and her generous use of quotes from prophets and apostles to underscore the doctrine. There is so much that we do not know in the details of this profoundly important episode of human history, but what we do have we need to fully understand and appreciate. Our perceptions of Eve do indeed color our notions of the gifts and role of woman - and we desperately need t More...

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Mar 26, 2010

Jacob rated it:

The book is written by a woman, primarily for women, and focuses mostly on Eve. Obviously Adam is a large part of the book, too, and I think any man would benefit from reading this book. Early in the book, 20 common questions are presented about Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden situation, the commandments given, and the choice that was made. I didn’t feel like all the questions were addressed, however, I read it fairly quickly, so I could easily have missed some things. On the other hand, I feel More...

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Sep 20, 2009

Adrienne rated it:

I believe this should be required reading for everyone. This book confirms what I've always believed, but didn't know how to articulate. Women are strong, equal, necessary companions with men. Not subordinates. The priesthood is a power divined for both men AND women to partake of. The plan of happiness was not designed to put women in an inferior role to men, but rather to put men and women on equal ground, albeit with different missions that TOGETHER can be fulfilled.

To quote More...

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Aug 13, 2010

Heather rated it:

WOW! What an amazing book! This book resonated with me to my very soul. I found it to be spiritually comforting as well as enlightening. My faith in my purpose here was strengthened and empowered by the words written and by the reiteration of scripture based accounts of what Eve's true understanding of the decision she made and why she made it. Her active role in Eden and the innate and spiritual qualities that we, as "daughters of Eve" inherent from that "Mother of All Living More...

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Jan 05, 2012

Loraine rated it:

I always knew that Eve did a great and marvelous thing. My whole life, I could never understand why people thought so badly of her. I always knew that we would not even exist, if not for her decision. I had just realized more significantly how she went against Adam's wishes, and "disobeyed", by keeping God's commandment to "multiply and replenish the earth," when I came upon this book. It helped to solidify what I had just learned, and had suspected all my life.
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Feb 14, 2011

Lady Celtic rated it:

After reading Sue Monk Kidd's Dance of the Dissident Daughter, I remembered Eve and the Choice Made in Eden. Given Kidd's immersion in an extremely patriarchal Christian tradition, I can see where she felt oppressed and sought for a more feminine version of deity to help her understand the world. In my review of her book, I mentioned the importance of the Divine Masculine working *with* the Divine Feminine in my own spiritual worldview. Campbell's book shows how this is possible by taking on the More...

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Jan 24, 2010

Sirpa rated it:

I had, years ago, read Beverly Campbells' excellent article on this subject (given April 2, 1993, at the 11th annual conference of Collegium Aesculapium in Salt Lake City, Utah). Campbell was then director of International Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Campbell, also a director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation and a founder of the Special Olympics program here, in a more watered down version, shares some insights on the story of Eden. Who was Eve? As a young Lut More...

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Feb 15, 2008

Susie rated it:

A fascinating insight into the LDS view that Eve's choice was prescient and wise, and necessary for the human race to continue. A beautiful testament of God's enduring love for his children. At times tender and moving, at times very deep doctrinally, this book is well referenced and researched.

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Jan 23, 2009

Kim rated it:

I really liked this book...but for anyone wanting insight to the fall--The Savior and the Serpent by Alonzo Gaskill is much better.

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Mar 26, 2011

Jessica rated it:

I thought this book was very thought provoking and had some good information about Eve and what happened in the Garden of Eden. I learned some important things through the reading of this book that I hadn't learned before. I was also presented with some interesting questions from the author that gave me some food for thought. The research was well thought out and the quotations she shares from modern revelation and the prophets were astounding. It was also interesting to note the research and op More...

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Jun 08, 2009

Laura rated it:

Recommended to me by Mariah, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Intelligently put together, inspired, and well-written, I learned a lot about Eve, about her role, and about my own nature and role as a woman.

Another note that is important to mention. This isn't the sort of book that is apologist. It doesn't try to prove that we're better than men, and it doesn't try to force us into a subservient role. It shows us as we are. It proves what we are capable of, and it reinforces why we nee More...

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Jun 30, 2008

Angela rated it:

Very insightfull. It helped me understand why that had to be a woman and what makes us just like her. It really resonated with me and validated things I knew about womanhood but didn't consciously understand.

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Dec 03, 2008

Meg rated it:

Latter-day Saint (or "Mormon") specific religious book revolving around the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, particularly the role that Eve had to play in the whole mess. Actually, it contends that it wasn't a "mess" at all, but rather a well-informed and justified (even admirable!) decision on the part of our first mother. For me, as a practicing member of the LDS church, it didn't contain too many insights I hadn't heard before, and the contentions often depended on tri More...

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Mar 15, 2008

Angela rated it:

I LOVED this book! Every women should read this. It was such a fantastic eye opener and helped to re-enforce my value as a women and the role I have in the whole scheme of things.

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May 20, 2009

Dana rated it:

Beverly Campbell has created a classic that every woman on this planet needs to read. If you are female and LDS, you will find this to be an incredible journey into your understanding of the temple and of your role as a woman, particularly in the 21st century.
If you are not LDS, you are in for a deep treatise about who Eve really is, certainly not Pandora nor Lilith, a seductress nor succubus, nor little Miss"Ooops."
The research for Eve, was twenty years in the maki More...

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Jul 18, 2010

Taffy rated it:

This is a good book to read to refresh a women's understanding and knowledge of Eve. Women are not evil or sinful or stupid because of what Eve supposedly did in the garden. Adam and Eve were a partnership. I knew these things but it was nice to be validated by scripture and prophets that Ms. Campbell used liberally in her book.
Any woman and man would enjoy this book.
I have to add, I read any religious book with a grain of salt unless written by The First Presidency or The Twelve. Th More...

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Jun 10, 2009

Karen rated it:

A great look at how the perception of Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit as a mistake has negatively affected women's roles in society and how a correct understanding of that choice can give women the respect they deserve. It's written for LDS audiences, but I think it's a great book for anyone interested in women's studies. You just need a little background in Mormon theology. There's one chapter which seemed (to me), to over simplify Eve's choice a bit- as if she was sure before making th More...

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May 01, 2009

Marlyne added it

Eve was much smarter than we give her credit. Adam was content to stay in the Garden of Eden and live the easy life. His attitude was much like a child - life is good so why change it. Eve, on the other hand, wanted to progress. She knew that she and Adam could not fulfill their potential, or live the commandments they had been given by God without moving forward. She chose to move forward.

This book gives many of the wonderful blessings, and the hardships, that came about when she ch More...

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Nov 04, 2011

Krystal rated it:

I couldn't finish this book. It was not keeping me interested at all. From what I did read, I don't feel like the author really had anything new to add to the subject. In her preface, she talks about how one of her goals in writing the book is to bring the world around to a new way of thinking about Mother Eve. Which I thought sounded cool. But in the couple of chapters I read she using so much LDS jargon without explaining any of it, that anyone not of the LDS faith trying to read it, wouldn't More...

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Jun 21, 2011

Heather rated it:

I first heard of this book when Beverly Campbell did a presentation for the women in my ward that drew largely from it, and I really liked much of what she said and presented. The truths contained and explained in this book are powerful. I love that it's rich with quotes from prophets, apostles, and scholars. As I read, there were times when I felt an almost overwhelming sense of relief, reassurance, and gratitude because Campbell so aptly clarifies aspects of the Garden story that are so widely More...

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Jul 20, 2011

Joe rated it:

This was a wonderful read addressing the real "choice" made by Eve; the difference between transgression and sin; and the strength and uniqueness of women. I really appreciated the work that Beverly Campbell did in putting together a long overdue treatise on the "choice" made in Eden.

This has been especially menaingful for me having just visited Adam-ondi-ahman in Missouri. I highly recommend this book to get a better understanding of how the choices were made and More...

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Nov 09, 2008

Margie rated it:

I had a lot of expectations from this book. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the author did no more than gloss over a very significant event. It was not the in-depth study of Eve's decision in the Garden that I expected. That being said, there were some very interesting things she brought out especially with regard to translations of Hebrew words into English and other meanings they used to have like "beguiled." It was also interesting to learn that scientists have traced female mitoc More...

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Jul 28, 2009

Apzmarshl rated it:

This was not my first reading of this book so I may be more critical this time. There was nothing wrong with the book first off. I am just not a go get em' feminista. I have never thought that one gender was any more important than the other. I do believe that each gender has some unique and specific roles better played by them. I do not want to be a man. I have never thought Adam and Eve made a mistake. I have never thought it was all Eve's fault (although I have had a poorly educated religious More...

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Dec 02, 2008

Holly rated it:

This book is a must read for anyone wanting a greater understanding of Adam and Eve and the Fall, especially women. Using the original Hebrew meanings of words like beguiled, helpmeet, and transgression along with quotes from LDS prophets, apostles, and scholars, Campbell sheds much light on Eve's decision to eat the "forbidden" fruit. To what extent was it an informed choice? Was it a sin to partake of the fruit? Are women really created equal? Campbell offers definitive answers More...

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Nov 22, 2008

Missy rated it:

This book gave me a deeper perspective on the Garden story. I love Eve and feel tied to her in a truer sense. One thing I keep thinking about is an afterthought of the author. Did you realize that men and women make decisions differently. Well, of course we do. I just never noticed that women decide something based on how it will affect others. Men make choices on the basis of what is right, in more black and white terms. Very interesting...

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Oct 29, 2010

Nancy rated it:

So I have read a little of this book. I created a new bookshelf - didn't finish - because of this book. I have to admit that I am/was ignorant of the extreme negativism about Eve that the author describes and its effect on society through the ages in its views regarding women. I have never felt any of that, so I am not sure I believe it, but I guess it is possible. And I am still having a hard time swallowing the whole 'Eve - and us as well - was/were co-creators of the earth.' I know she was qu More...

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Jul 05, 2010

Barbie rated it:

I can't say enough good things about this book. Pulling from prophets, scripture and re-interpretations of mistranslated Hebrew accounts in the Bible, Beverly Campbell lays out the real and exalted place of women in God's plan and elevates motherhood to its rightful place of divinity. In short, it's a beautiful and joyous argument that feminism is NOT out of place in the LDS church, just undiscovered.

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