The Beliefs of Latter-day Saints regarding Satan: An SEO-Optimized Guide

Understanding the Concept of Satan in Latter-day Saint Beliefs

The beliefs of Latter-day Saints concerning Satan are often misunderstood. To understand these beliefs, we must first look into the concept of pre-existence, which is a core tenet in the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). According to this belief, before any humans came to earth, we all existed as spirit children of Heavenly Father. Among these spirits were two significant individuals: Jehovah, who is also known as Jesus Christ, and Lucifer, who is regarded as the “son of the morning.” These two were essentially spirit brothers and sisters.

A council was held where Heavenly Father presented the Plan of Salvation. This plan included the process of human spirits coming to earth to gain bodies, which would allow them to experience life and agency. However, Lucifer did not agree with this plan. He proposed an alternative plan that would force everyone to follow his will, aiming to eliminate free agency and ensure no one was lost. Lucifer’s plan, if realized, would result in him taking all the glory and essentially replacing Heavenly Father.

Jehovah/Christ, who accepted the role of Savior, agreed to give Heavenly Father all the glory. Heavenly Father selected Jehovah/Christ for this role, but a third of the celestial hosts sided with Lucifer. As a consequence, Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven without bodies, becoming Satan and his minions. They continue to wage a relentless battle against Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation.

For a more in-depth understanding, see references to Isaiah 14:12–15, Moses 4:1–4, and Abraham 3:27–28.

Satan and Lucifer: The Same Entity

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) believe that Satan and Lucifer are not separate entities but the same individual. This belief is supported by various scriptural references that describe Satan as a spirit son of God. The Bible Dictionary published by the LDS Church elaborates on this belief, stating that Satan was once an angel in the presence of God, but he rebelled in the premortal life along with a third of the spirit children of Father. As a consequence, he and his followers were cast out of heaven and denied the opportunity to have physical bodies.

The Bible Dictionary defines the English word “devil” in the King James Version to include several terms in Greek such as slanderer, demon, and adversary, and in Hebrew, “spoiler.” Satan is literally a spirit son of God who was at one time an angel in the presence of God. He rebelled in the premortal life and persuaded a third of the spirit children of Father to join him in opposition to the plan of salvation championed by Jehovah, or Jesus Christ. He and his followers were cast out of heaven and are denied the experience of mortal bodies and earth life.

Strategies and Actions of Satan

Understanding Satan’s character and actions is crucial in grasping his role in the world as described by Latter-day Saint beliefs. Satan’s primary strategy is to deceive people by making them think they are following God’s ways when, in reality, they are being led astray. One of his major techniques is to possess the bodies of mortal beings, although this is a rare occurrence.

Saturn is often referred to in scripture as the Prince of this World, the Adversary, Beelzebub, the Wicked One, the Enemy, the Miserable Angel, Lucifer, and the accuser. He is described as striving to lead men and women from the work of God. To counteract his influence, Latter-day Saints are encouraged to obey the commandments and laws of the gospel. The faithful are given a message of hope and triumph over adversity and ultimately, the devil, through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

References to his actions include:
Mosiah 3:6, 1 Nephi 9:8, Doctrine and Covenants 29:36-38, and Doctrine and Covenants 76:26.