But he fell. As Isaiah 14:12 states, he proposed a plan that would take away man’s agency, which is an eternal principle valued by God. He desired glory and power. To get it, he sought to force all men to keep the commandments of God. His way was to use compulsion or force to “save” every person, and, for doing so, he demanded the glory and honor of God. Unlike Lucifer’s proposition, the Lord’s plan allowed individuals to progress, through the opportunity to choose between good and evil.

When Satan’s plan was refused, he became angry and went in open rebellion against God. His arguments were so convincing that one third of all of Heavenly Father’s spirit children followed after Satan (see D&C 29: 36; Moses 4: 1-4; Abr. 3: 27-28). Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven and denied ever having mortal bodies. They are spiritually dead, meaning they are eternally cut off from the presence of God. Now Satan and his followers work to thwart Heavenly Father’s plan and lead His children to sin and their own spiritual deaths (see Rev. 12: 9; 2 Ne. 2: 27; 9: 8-9).

Satan is the enemy of God’s will and all that is good and righteous. He is the father of all lies and the inspiration for all that is evil.  But his opposition to God allows mankind the very real choice between good and evil.  Mormon Church leaders continually remind us that Satan is a real, literal being whose lies and snares must be avoided through righteousness.