Answer by Heidi**

I had the opportunity to answer this question in a high school sociology class.  The discussion of the day centered around organized religion, and it wasn’t long before Mormons became the subject of conversation.  Suddenly the misconceptions and half-truths I had heard all of my life started cropping up all over the classroom.  When someone piped up with “Mormons believe that Jesus Christ and Satan are brothers!” the electricity crackled from person to person like fire sweeping down a field of dry cornhusks.  Everyone began to babble.

Tears sprang to my eyes and my heart began such a strong and insistent thumping that I thought it would break out of my chest.  I knew that what I was feeling was my strong belief in the truthfulness and pure precepts of the gospel as well as my gratitude for the direction it gave me in my life. I wanted to defend my religion but, like most teenagers, I was afraid of ridicule and rejection.

Finally, a friend who sat behind me started kicking my chair and saying my name.  She was not a member of my faith but her expectation that I stand up for my beliefs gave me the courage to speak.  Dashing the tears from my face, I spoke in a voice shaking with emotion.: “We believe that we are all children of our Heavenly Father,” I began — but the bell rang and I was not able to say anything more. If I had had the chance, I would have told them that, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that we all lived as literal spirit children of our Heavenly Father in a pre-mortal existence.  This means that all the children of our Father in Heaven are brothers and sisters, including Jesus Christ and Lucifer [otherwise known as Satan or the devil].

“Jesus Christ was with the Father from the beginning.”  This statement, as well as the following, was made by Jess L. Christensen, former Institute of Religion director at Utah State University in Logan, Utah in the June 1986 issue of the Ensign.  “Lucifer, too, was an angel ‘who was in authority in the presence of God,’ a ‘son of the morning.’ (See Isa. 14:12; D&C 76:25–27.) Both Jesus and Lucifer were strong leaders with great knowledge and influence. But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer’s older brother. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)”

However, as Elder M. Russell Ballard, a general authority of the LDS church, stated in a talk given on February 2, 2010, “. . . he {Satan} chose to use his agency [the power to choose] in an unrighteous way.”

Jess L. Christensen adds that

. . .he was not created evil, but became Satan by his own choice.  When our Father in Heaven presented his plan of salvation, Jesus sustained the plan and his part in it, giving the glory to God, to whom it properly belonged. Lucifer, on the other hand, sought power, honor, and glory only for himself. (See Isa. 14:13–14; Moses 4:1–2.) When his modification of the Father’s plan was rejected, he rebelled against God and was subsequently cast out of heaven with those who had sided with him. (See Rev. 12:7–9; D&C 29:36–37.)

An example in the Bible of two brothers who made dramatically different choices, choices which led to evil works in one and great and righteous works in the other, is that of Cain and Abel.  There are other examples throughout the scriptures of people choosing different paths, of the contrast between good and evil. It’s been the story from before we came to earth.

Mormons worship Jesus Christ as our Lord and Redeemer who rose above all things, who died on the cross for our sins and whose power and glory will reign forever.  We regard Satan as someone who is real and who still wants all the power and glory to be his alone.  Unlike our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, both of whom we worship with all our hearts, Satan has no body, and can earn no glory. We strive to avoid the devil and his evil influence at all costs.

Knowing that we who live on this earth are all brothers and sisters and are potential heirs to a royal heritage is a testimony to me that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us to return to live with Him again one day.  They love us and I love Them as real personages who fill powerful roles in my life.  As long as I seek to follow Christ, repent when I make mistakes, and obey the commandments, I can be with Them again.  This is what gives me the strength and the power to endure great adversity as well as the desire to be more like Jesus Christ . . . my Brother, my Savior.

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**Please note: The answers in “Ask a Mormon Woman” reflect the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of individuals. Although here at Mormon Women: Who We Are, we strive to have our content consistent with the Church’s doctrine and teachings, we do not speak officially for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For official information about or from the Church, please visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.

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