Satan? What's His Role?

Post by **_Moniker** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:27 am

I've seen Satan mentioned a few times on MAD. How in LDS theology does Satan do his deeds? Temptation? Does he inhabit people? Naughty thoughts? Is there quite a bit of talk of Satan as an actual character of some sort or is Satan more of a force for evil?

I think it's been decided that Myspace is Satan's playground.

Post by **_gramps** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:33 am

Satan is a real dude. He just never got a body because he was a bad guy. So, he is jealous. And all the other spirits who fell for his puffery are jealous too. And, yes, they can enter your body and inhabit you and even whisper sweet nothings in your ear, as well.

Is that clear, now?

Post by **_Gazelam** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:18 am

Moni,

I once did a big write up on Satan in the Celestial forum:

http://mormondiscussions.com/discuss/vi ... =2800#2800

The term Devil literaly means slanderer. he is the great liar and deceiver. He, in the pre-mortal existence, rose to a great position of power and was on the council with the title of being one of the Sons of the Morning. Through his own charisma he drew over 1/3 of all of the Fathers spirit children to his side in opposing the great Plan of Salvation.

Satan opperates as a liar, telling us things such as chasing after pleasures will bring us happiness. He convinces us that there is no God, or that he himself does not exist. He excites and entices and leads us astray, but he has no more power over us than what we allow him to have.

Post by **_Moniker** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:20 am

So the spirits that were held back are part of Satan's legions? Is that right? So, anytime you want to do something you perhaps shouldn't it's the influence of a spirit?

When you're prompted to do the right thing (whatever that would be in the situation at hand) is that a different type of spirit? The Holy Ghost?

Is it a constant battle between the promptings of spirits? Or is it Satan's influence against merely man?

Post by **_harmony** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:27 am

Gazelam wrote:Moni,

I once did a big write up on Satan in the Celestial forum:

http://mormondiscussions.com/discuss/vi ... =2800#2800

The term Devil literaly means slanderer. he is the great liar and deceiver. He, in the pre-mortal existence, rose to a great position of power and was on the council with the title of being one of the Sons of the Morning. Through his own charisma he drew over 1/3 of all of the Fathers spirit children to his side in opposing the great Plan of Salvation.

This cannot be true, Gaz. God cannot abide any unclean thing in his presence, so how could he abide Satan?

Post by **_Moniker** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:33 am

Gazelam wrote:Moni,

I once did a big write up on Satan in the Celestial forum:

http://mormondiscussions.com/discuss/vi ... =2800#2800

The term Devil literaly means slanderer. he is the great liar and deceiver. He, in the pre-mortal existence, rose to a great position of power and was on the council with the title of being one of the Sons of the Morning. Through his own charisma he drew over 1/3 of all of the Fathers spirit children to his side in opposing the great Plan of Salvation.

Satan opperates as a liar, telling us things such as chasing after pleasures will bring us happiness. He convinces us that there is no God, or that he himself does not exist. He excites and entices and leads us astray, but he has no more power over us than what we allow him to have.

Oh, my apologies. I didn't see your post when I was constructing my last post, Gaz. You answered a few of my questions. :)

The part about convincing there is no God - this is such a sensitive area (it appears) between ex-LDS and LDS when some leave the Church and often times become atheists. I imagine with the despair that I've witnessed from some that lose their faith that it's not something they strove to do.

You know a year ago I attempted to convince myself God was real in some aspect, and every so often I would think that and then tumble back to doubt. It's not such an easy thing (I would think) to lose your belief in God and then reclaim it. I think the idea that Satan influenced me doesn't ring true, to me.

For some reason I see such beauty everywhere now, and almost embrace God as "real" yet, not in a traditional sense of the word. Not a supernatural being, yet, infused with beauty, dignity, nature, love, compassion, charity -- things of this world that elevate me.

I need to go to sleep, I'm rambling. :)

Post by **_Gazelam** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:41 am

Harmony,

I know you don't read the scriptures much, but in case you missed someone discussing it in church, he and those with him were cast out.

Post by **_Gazelam** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:44 am

moni,

Your not rambling. I don't think theres a thing oyu said there that everyone here has not experienced.

tell ya what. get a sheet of your printer paper there and go to your kitchen table and draw a picture of what God looks like to you.

And don't go thinking too much about it. Use your heart to draw it, not your mind.

If you really want to have fun try this experiment. Tell your girls to do the same thing, and tell them they can't talk about it to each other, and draw your pictures in diffeent rooms of the house.

let me know how that goes.

gaz

Post by **_harmony** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:47 am

Gazelam wrote:Harmony,

I know you don't read the scriptures much, but in case you missed someone discussing it in church, he and those with him were cast out.

Not before the showdown, Gaz. Not before the showdown, when he was recruiting those 1/3 of the host of heaven. He was evil to the core, and God didn't throw him out until he sought to take over. So... how is it that God cannot abide any unclean thing, yet he overlooked Satan's recruiting, plotting, planning?

Or are you saying God didn't know what was going on right under his nose?

Post by **_Gazelam** » Sun May 04, 2008 6:18 am

Harmony,

Not before the showdown, Gaz. Not before the showdown, when he was recruiting those 1/3 of the host of heaven. He was evil to the core, and God didn't throw him out until he sought to take over. So... how is it that God cannot abide any unclean thing, yet he overlooked Satan's recruiting, plotting, planning?

Or are you saying God didn't know what was going on right under his nose?

Obviously with the information at hand Lucifer was doing well up until the Great Plan was presented. After this choice was presented and the option was made available to all to accept it or reject it was there a situation where rebellion took place.

God knew all this was going on, he knew it before it even happened, but he isn't going to interfere with free agency. Nothing is unclean until it rebels. Satan was apparently doing all right up until then.