Satan's Rebellion

The scriptures repeatedly state that Satan openly rebelled against God. For example, the Lord declared that “Satan rebelled against me” (Moses 4:3); “an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God … rebelled against the Only Begotten Son” (D&C 76:25); and “he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power” (D&C 29:36).

From these verses it is clear that Satan’s proposal was not an innocent suggestion to amend God’s plan. It was a rebellion, a revolt, an attempted mutiny to dethrone God and take over heaven. Those who followed Satan declared war in heaven and made themselves enemies to God.

Mark A. Mathews, "Satan's Rebellion," Ensign, Mar 2015, 69.

Destroying Agency

...compulsion and force are used today by tyrants seeking power over nations and by political activists who seek to limit religious freedom and compel society to accept sinful behavior. The Lord has specifically condemned the exercise of “control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness” (D&C 121:37).

However, the Lord also explained that power and influence can be used to encourage righteousness by loving persuasion, righteous reproof, and appropriate consequences (see D&C 121:41–43). This important clarification shows that carrying out proper Church and parental discipline, enforcing rules and standards in missions and Church schools, and establishing righteous laws in society are all practices approved of the Lord and not part of “Satan’s plan.” Honoring agency does not mean embracing anarchy.

The second possibility for how Satan proposed to save everyone is described in the Bible Dictionary: “Lucifer and his followers wanted salvation to come automatically to all who passed through mortality, without regard to individual preference, agency, or voluntary dedication” (“War in Heaven”). In other words, another interpretation is that Satan proposed to save us all, no matter what we did. This would destroy agency by rendering it useless. If consequences of our choices were all removed and everyone received the same reward, our choices become meaningless and our agency is destroyed.

Mark A. Mathews, "Satan's Rebellion," Ensign, Mar 2015, 68-69. 

Satan's Character

If we understand Satan’s character and history, it would be more appropriate to view him as the first con man trying to sell us a product that he knew he could never provide. He alleged that he could give us all salvation if we would follow him rather than the plan our Heavenly Father had created for our salvation and which was upheld by our Savior Jesus Christ.

What Satan proposed was a lie. It would not have worked. It was not a viable alternative to Heavenly Father’s already perfect plan, but rather it was a trap set to ensnare and deceive people into following Satan. It was, in the end, a plan of damnation, not a plan of salvation.

Mark A. Mathews, "Satan's Rebellion," Ensign, Mar 2015, 68. 

Willing to Sacrifice

"As we are obedient, we become willing to sacrifice such things as our time, our energy, and our means. Sacrifice changes our natures; it is the process by which we become holy enough to be willing to give up all we have for the Lord if we are called upon to do so."

Lauren Bangerter Wilde, "The Purifying Path of Obedience, Sacrifice, and Consecration," Ensign, Mar 2015, 64.

Sacrifice

"Sacrifice allows us to learn something about ourselves -- what we are willing to offer to the Lord through our obedience."

Russell M. Nelson, "The Law of Sacrifice," Ensign, Oct. 1998, 7.

Overcoming Bad Habits

"Overcoming bad habits or addictions often means an effort today followed by another tomorrow and then another, perhaps for many days, even months and years, until we achieve victory."

D. Todd Christofferson, "Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings," Ensign, Jan. 2012, 21.

The Same Difficulties

"Sometimes in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. It is as if we were climbing a tree-covered mountain. At times we don't see our progress until we get closer to the top and look back from the high ridges. Don't be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting."

Elder Ulisses Soares, "Hold on to the Rod," Ensign, Mar 2015, 61.

Repenting and Being Forgiven

"Being disciples of Christ, we rejoice in the blessing of repenting and the joy of being forgiven. They become part of us, shaping the way we think and feel."

Neil L. Andersen, "Repent . . . That I May Heal You," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 40.

Choose Not to be Offended

"You and I cannot control the intentions of behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose to to be offended."

David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 91.

Believe in Christ and Deny Him Not

We are taught to “believe in Christ, and deny him not” (2 Nephi 25:29); to “look unto [Christ] in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36); and to “talk of Christ,” “rejoice in Christ,” and “preach of Christ” (2 Nephi 25:26). Two ways we can do this are in our private prayers and in our personal greetings.

In our private and family prayers, we should ask God to help us and our neighbors and leaders recognize God our Creator and the right and wrong established by His commandments. We should do this for the good of His children everywhere.

Dallin H. Oaks, "Stand as a Witness of God," Ensign, Mar 2015, 33.

The "Great and Abominable Church"

Book of Mormon prophecies describe the “great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil” (1 Nephi 14:17). This “church” is prophesied to have “dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people” (1 Nephi 14:11). Called “most abominable above all other churches,” this church is also said to act “for the praise of the world” in bringing “the saints of God … down into captivity” (1 Nephi 13:5, 9).

Because no religious denomination—Christian or non-Christian—has ever had “dominion” over all nations of the earth or the potential to bring all the saints of God down into “captivity,” this great and abominable church must be something far more pervasive and widespread than a single “church,” as we understand that term today. It must be any philosophy or organization that opposes belief in God. And the “captivity” into which this “church” seeks to bring the saints will not be so much physical confinement as the captivity of false ideas.

Dallin H. Oaks, "Stand as a Witness of God," Ensign, Mar 2015, 32. 

The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make

Tad R. Callister told his story about finding a spouse. His mother had overheard his prayers one night. "When I finished, she said, "Tad, are you asking the Lord to help you find a good wife?' . . . I replied, 'No,' to which she responded, 'Well, you should, Son; it will be the most important decision you will ever make.' "

Tad R. Callister, "Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children," Ensign, Nov. 2014, 33.

The Savior Can Heal and Strengthen

"Because o His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), [the Savior] has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. . . .
"The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah (see 2 Nephi 2:8). I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our burdens with ease (see Mosiah 24:15)."

David A. Bednar, "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease," Ensign, May 2014, 90.

A Successful Parent

"A successful parent is one who has loved, one who has sacrificed, and one who has cared for, taught, and ministered to the needs of a child. If you have done all of these and your child is still wayward or troublesome or worldly, it could well be that you are, nevertheless, a successful parent."

Howard W. Hunter, "Parents' Concern for Children," Ensign, 1983, 65.