Satan
Overview
Satan, also called the adversary or the devil, is the enemy of all righteousness and of those who seek to follow God. He is a spirit son of God who was once an angel “in authority in the presence of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:25; see also Isaiah 14:12; Doctrine and Covenants 76:26–27). But in the premortal Council in Heaven, Lucifer, as Satan was then called, rebelled against God. Since that time, he has sought to destroy the children of God on the earth and to make them miserable.
One primary issue in the conflict between God and Satan is agency. Agency is a precious gift from God; it is essential to His plan for His children. In Satan’s rebellion against God, Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3). He said: “I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1).
Satan persuaded “a third part of the hosts of heaven” to turn away from the Father (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36). As a result of this rebellion, Satan and his followers were cut off from God’s presence and denied the blessing of receiving a physical body (see Revelation 12:9).
Heavenly Father allows Satan and Satan’s followers to tempt us as part of our experience in mortality (see 2 Nephi 2:11–14; Doctrine and Covenants 29:39). Because Satan “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27), he and his followers try to lead us away from righteousness. He directs his most strenuous opposition at the most important aspects of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. For example, he seeks to discredit the Savior and the priesthood, to cast doubt on the power of the Atonement, to counterfeit revelation, to distract us from the truth, and to contradict individual accountability. He attempts to undermine the family by confusing gender, promoting sexual relations outside of marriage, ridiculing marriage, and discouraging childbearing by married adults who would otherwise raise children in righteousness.
Individuals do not have to give in to Satan’s temptations. Each person has the power to choose good over evil, and the Lord has promised to help all who seek Him through sincere prayer and faithfulness.
Related Topics
Scriptures
Scripture References
Scripture Study Resources
Messages from Church Leaders
Videos
“Satan Seeks to Deceive Us”
“Thwarting Satan’s Evil Designs”
“Spiritual Crocodiles”
“The Devil’s Side of the Line”
“A House Divided”
Tabernacle Choir Videos
Learning Resources
General Resources
“Preexistence and Foreordination of the Christ,” Jesus the Christ, chapter 2
Church Magazines
“Seven Lies Satan Wants You to Believe,” New Era, January 2017
“Satan’s Rebellion,” Ensign, March 2015
“Is Satan real? Can he harm us or cause us to have bad thoughts?” New Era, January 2010
“Truths and Lies,” Ensign, October 2009
“A Shield against Evil,” Liahona, October 1996
“How can we limit the adversary’s ability to influence our thoughts?” Ensign, September 1995
“Defending against Evil,” Ensign, January 1992
“Cain and Abel,” Ensign or Liahona, July 1984
“Hearken Unto the Voice of God,” Ensign, May 1974
“Searching the Scriptures: How to Face Temptation,” Ensign, August 1973
Study Manuals
In the News
“Elder Lawrence Teaches LDSBC Students Ways to Win against Satan,” Church News
“Answering Media Questions About Jesus and Satan,” Newsroom
Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Stories
Teaching Resources
Teaching Outlines
Media
Audio
“Jesus Is Tempted,” New Testament Stories, episode 57
“Jesus Is Tempted,” Scripture Stories—New Testament Stories, episode 9