The record of the story of the fall of man on earth begins properly with an account of the rebellion of Lucifer in heaven.
According to the Book of Abraham (3:22-28), when the proposition to arrange a dwelling place in which the noble intelligences embodied, might have an opportunity of proving themselves worthy of advancement, and the question of leadership came up, one like unto the Son of Man said,
“Here am I, send me.”
And another said, “Here am I, send me.”
God said, “I will send the first.”
Then the second became angry and rebelled, and many followed after him.
In the Book of Moses we read (4:1-4) that the fallen angel, later, repeated his proposition. He offered to redeem all mankind, provided God would make him his Son and give him his glory. Not a soul would be lost.
When this amended proposition came before the Son, he replied humbly, “Father, thy will be done and the glory be thine for ever.”
God, then, confirmed the first decision, and gave the Son authority to cast the rebels out of heaven. There was war in heaven. (Luke 10:18) “beheld satan fall from heaven as lightning.”
He Became a Devil. This word is from the Greek “diabolos,” which means “calumniator,” or “accuser.” Here it stands for the Hebrew “satan,” which means an enemy, an adversary. Cast out of heaven, the enemy became an accuser, he became satan, yea, even the devil, the father of lies, to deceive and to blind men. (Mos. 4:4)
In the New Testament “devil” often signifies a “demon,” a spirit, whether good or evil. See, for ex., 2 Tim 4:1, where “doctrines of devils,” might better be rendered, “doctrines concerning spirits,”—referring, perhaps, to the practices of certain so-called spiritists.