“I Am No Devil, for There is None”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
Satan, known in premortality as Lucifer, is an actual being from the unseen world. He is a spirit son of God the Father, one who held a place of esteem and authority in the premortal existence, one who sought to amend the plan of the Father and bring glory unto himself, and one who, with his followers, was cast out of heaven to the earth. He is the father of lies and the common enemy of all who seek salvation (see D&C 76:25-27; Moses 4:1-4; Abraham 3:22-28; Revelation 12:7-9). He has great power, is a master of persuasion, and is an archdeceiver.

“I Am No Devil for There Is None!”

One of Satan's ploys to ensnare the souls of men is to persuade men to deny him. It is indeed because of wickedness that people begin to do so (see Moses 1:23).

C. S. Lewis, a perceptive and insightful Christian writer, observed:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

The devils themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ (The Screw Letters, p. 3.)”

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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