Source: "The Fulness of the Gospel - The Fall of Adam and Eve",
Liahona magazine, June 2006, pages 8-9.

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) said: “I
never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin,
nor do I accuse Adam of a sin. … This was a
transgression of the law, but not a sin".

The majority … [of Christians] maintain that every child
born into this world is tainted with ‘original sin,’ or
partakes of Adam’s transgression in his birth. The second
Article of Faith contradicts this foolish and erroneous
doctrine.”

Is this really a foolish doctrine or do Latter-day Saints
have difficulty in believing what others have taught
before them?

Contradicting the statement of Joseph Fielding Smith,
Joseph F. Smith said, "He [mankind] dies in consequence
of the sin of Adam” (Teachings of Presidents of the
Church, Joseph F. Smith, page 89).

Every child born into this world is tainted with Adam's
transgression. "The fall had brought upon all mankind a
spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were
cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient
that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual
death" (Alma 42:9). Even the child who dies in infancy
needs to be reclaimed from this cut off state through
the atonement of Christ.

Moroni 8:8 says, "little children are whole, for they are
not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam
is taken from them in me, and it hath no power over them;
and the law of circumcision is done away in me". Little
children are said to have the curse of Adam. This curse
is removed through the atonement of Christ. Even adults
are cursed in this way.

Even Romans chapter 5 teaches that Adam sinned.
"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that
all have sinned" (verse 12). Little children die because
they have this stain of sin.

"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over
them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s
transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come"
(verse 14). Adam's transgression is called sin.

"For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,
so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous”
(verse 19). Adam's disobedience made us sinners.

Latter-day Saints would agree that the atonement of Christ
is to atone for the sins of the world, but what do they
consider as the first sin that Jesus atoned for if it was
not Adam's sin of disobedience?

See the section on Mercy and Justice for more information.