The Gate of Heaven Quotes

“Why is the temple of the New Jerusalem to be built on the exact spot where the Garden of Eden once stood? One of the reasons may be that the Garden of Eden—in both its form and function—was the first temple on the earth, and the construction of the temple on that site would constitute part of the restoration of all things.”
― Matthew B. Brown, The Gate of Heaven: Insights on the Doctrines and Symbols of the Temple

“According to the teaching of President Joseph F. Smith, the man Adam was “born of woman into this world, the same as Jesus and you and I.”21 Brigham Young was just as straightforward on this matter. God, he said, “created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or ever that will be. . . . There exist fixed laws and regulations by which the elements are fashioned . . . and this process of creation is from everlasting to everlasting.”22 Thus, we may conclude that the accounts of Adam’s creation from the dust and Eve’s creation from Adam’s rib are figurative, or symbolic, and designed to teach us certain truths about the first man and first woman.23”
― Matthew B. Brown, The Gate of Heaven: Insights on the Doctrines and Symbols of the Temple