Erica's Analysis of "Mother Eve"

Erica Allred
Kerry Spencer
Honors Writing 150
Nov 10, 2011
Eve: A Blessing to Mankind


Jane Austen, in her book Pride and Prejudice, posed the question “What are men compared to rocks and mountains?” I am not qualified to answer that question, however I can state that men are equal in glory and status to all the women who have, and will ever occupy this earth. Beverly Campbell in her essay Mother Eve, Mentor for Today’s Woman: A Heritage of Honor addresses the controversy and concerns that revolve around Eve, the mother of the human race. Through the use of appeals to pathos, and through the words of prophets and apostle, both ancient and modern, Campbell effectively argues the case in favor of Mother Eve to members of the LDS Faith.

One instance of Campbell’s appeal to pathos is her story of her encounter with two male artists from BYU. For a chalk art contest these two boys had decided to draw Eve in a negative light. When she questioned them about the story all they could say was “She really blew it, and we’re all paying the price.” (273) This quote leads up to her fifteen main points and arguments concerning the importance of Eve. Campbell uses this story to inflict guilt in her audience. The boys in the story represent how ignorance and misunderstanding have influenced the world’s view of our Mother Eve. How many of us have also judged Eve too harshly? This story helps to influence the audience to react more sympathetically towards Eve.

Another instance of appeals to pathos used by Campbell is the story she tells about her sister’s reaction to the true meaning of help meet. Campbell explains that the definition in The Oxford English Dictionary means “even or equal to.” (274) When she shared this with her sister-in-law, her sister-in-law responded to what she had said in a letter.

I am very excited about what you have found, especially the meaning of the word helpmeet and the implications it gives to eve’s position. I sat frozen, actually feeling the blood drain from my face, awed, with a joyous feeling I will never forget, but crying at the same time! I wondered why I should feel all this emotion. Suddenly, this thought came to my mind clearly: “It’s true I am who I always thought I was!” (274-275)

Her sister-in-law was overcome with emotion as Campbell revealed the true purpose of women to her. Such emotion resonates with many women when they come to understand their purpose in the Plan of Salvation. It is inspiring to know women were intended from the beginning to be equal partners with men in this life. By connecting with her audience on an emotional level, Campbell is effectively convincing her audience of the importance of Eve and of all women.

Adam’s and Eve’s missions in life were to jump start mortality. The fall is one of the most important and significant aspects of the plan of salvation, along with the Creation and the Atonement. Campbell uses the words and authority of the prophets and apostles of modern and ancient times to emphasize the importance of Eve’s role. One instance of this is Campbell’s use of Joseph Fielding Smith’s quote “Adam and Eve did the very thing the Lord intended them to do. If we had the original record we would see the purpose of the Fall clearly stated and it’s necessity explained.” (275) Campbell uses this quote as evidence and authority to support her claim that the Fall was preordained and necessary. As a Prophet of the LDS church, Smith’s words hold authority for members. By using quotes from prophets such as Joseph Fielding Smith, Campbell causes her audience to consider what she is saying with more care knowing that the words of the prophets support her claims.

Another instance of Campbell’s use of the words of the prophets and apostles is her quotation of Moses 5:10-11.
And in that day Adam blessed God… saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgressions me eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy….
And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
Campbell uses this quote in her section entitled What Emotions Did Adam and Eve Feel as They Recognized Their Mortality? These verses portray Adam’s and Eve’s happiness and joy that stem from mortality. This quote is designed to help the audience realized the blessing and gift that is mortality. Through Adam’s and Eve’s transgression we have been granted the chance to live on this earth. Mortality is not a bad thing. In helping the audience to realize this, Campbell is promoting positive connotations with Eve’s transgression.

Lastly, Campbell uses revered apostle Bruce R. McConkie’s powerful statement about Eve.
There is not language that can do credit to our glorious mother, Eve. Eve- a daughter of God, one of the spirit off-spring of the Almighty Elohim- was among the noble and great in [premortal] existence. She ranked in spiritual stature, in faith and devotion, in conformity to eternal law with Michael [emphasis added]. (273)
Campbell uses this quote to “summarize Eve’s contributions as they relate to the past and present.” (273) This is a significant statement about the status of earthly Mother of our race. As stated, McConkie is a highly revered Apostle. Besides the prophets, he is one of the most quoted persons in the history of the church. His standing among church members requires the highest regard to his words. Campbell’s masterful use of McConkie’s words seals her arguments in stone for church members. If he saw Eve in such a wonderful light, then it should give pause to those in the church who do not.

Eve, the wife and partner of Adam, the earthly mother of our race, and a revered child of our Heavenly Father is an heir to the same glory and status as our brother Michael. Prophets have revered her. We should embrace her, and all other women for the miracles and blessings they are to this world. Campbell’s emotional connections and insights of the prophets, promote a love towards Eve and her posterity. We praise Eve for her wisdom and her choice to partake of the forbidden fruit, for if she had not, we would not exist on this earth today. The entire Plan of Salvation would have frustrated. Respect her. Love her. Praise her. Eve: our sister.






Works Cited

Austen, Jane. (1996). Pride and prejudice. Modern Library.
Campbell, B. (2007). Mother eve, mentor for toda'ys woman: A heritage of honor. In Susan Jorgenson (Ed.), Readins for Intensive Writers (pp. 271-289). Provo: BYU Academic Publishing.