The Book of Genesis as interpreted in the LDS-inspired Bible, e.g., the Joseph Smith Translation or LDS doctrinal lens. Compared with the standard Bible, focusing on patriarchal elements and potential harm to women:
The LDS interpretation emphasizes Adam’s priesthood authority and preeminence, reinforcing a hierarchical system where men hold spiritual and familial leadership roles. Women are often framed as subordinate to men in spiritual and domestic spheres, more so than in some mainstream Christian readings.
The LDS framing highlights Eve’s “role” as secondary and tied to obedience and moral accountability.
Some passages are interpreted to suggest women’s primary purpose is to support men’s priesthood roles, limiting autonomy.
LDS interpretations sometimes emphasize Eve’s “fall” as central to human sin, which can reinforce narratives of women being more responsible for humanity’s moral failings. This contrasts with modern or mainstream interpretations that distribute moral responsibility more equally between Adam and Eve.
There is a reinforcement of patriarchal family structures. Polygamy, while historically practiced in early LDS context, was justified through interpretations of Genesis; this reinforced male-centered household structures. Women are framed primarily in reproductive and supportive roles rather than as independent spiritual agents.
LDS Genesis interpretations do not afford women equivalent priesthood authority or leadership, creating systemic spiritual inequality. This can perpetuate long-term societal and religious restrictions on women’s roles.
Emphasis on women’s moral weakness or secondary status can contribute to guilt, lower self-esteem, or internalized subordination. The doctrinal framing can discourage women from pursuing independent spiritual, educational, or professional development.
Many mainstream Christian or Jewish interpretations focus on mutual responsibility, partnership, and shared agency between Adam and Eve. But those readings seem dishonest. The texts came from patriarchal times, and may not be that much better than he LDS-influenced reading. That reading amplifies hierarchy, obedience, and male dominance, making it more patriarchal in tone and practical effect.
And there are other texts to worry about. 1 Timothy 2:13–14: “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”
ARGUMENT
In Mormonism, Adam and Eve are innocent and that for some reason stops them obeying God’s command to reproduce. The Book of Mormon is clear on that. 2 Nephi 2:23, "And they would have had no children, wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery, doing no good, for they knew no sin." So they have to break his rule not to eat of the forbidden tree. This is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They eat and the result is how their eyes open up and now they can reproduce. As with mainstream Christianity, the magic fruit is blamed for bringing evil into the world. But who put the magic in it?
The Book of Mormon is getting all that from how Genesis says Adam and Eve needed the tree of knowledge of good and evil to get their eyes opened. The BOM denies that their joy was real joy and that they were really made good. They were made neutral and stupid and innocent. This raises alarm bells for the idea that God made them in his own image and that all his creation was really good. Whatever you get from that it is not equality of the sexes. The text refers to animals being made all good as well. The BOM makes an extremely good point. By implication if Jesus could not sin he could not be truly good either. Incidentally, Mormon Prophet Smith held that God himself used to be a mere man so clearly God one time needed his sins taken away.
Mormon doctrine is clear that Adam and Eve were forced to sin. The real sinner then is God.
Even Genesis says he entrapped them and even gave the serpent the power to speak to them to entice them to consume the fruit.
It was very perceptive of the early Mormon faith to claim that God exploited and abused Adam and Eve. He told them to have children which the Book of Mormon says is impossible if you are sin-free. So they had to sin to obey the command to reproduce. Either way this evil God was going to call them sinners. That is anything but fair or sensible. Christianity hints at trickery to get them to sin and God accuses them of sin when they acted without knowing what good and evil were. It teaches entrapment too in a different way to the Mormons but it is there.