The Mormon understanding of Satan

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The Mormon understanding of Satan: Abilities

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• Question: Do Mormons believe that Satan can read our minds?
• Question: Is it true that Mormon missionaries are not allowed to swim because Satan has dominion over the waters?
• Question: Why is Joseph Smith's struggle with Satan not mentioned in the 1832 account of the First Vision?

The Mormon understanding of Satan: Relationship to God

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• Question: Do Latter-day Saints consider Jesus to be the brother of Satan?
• Question: Could Moroni have been an "angel of Satan"?
• Question: Why is the name "Lucifer" used to represent Satan in Latter-day Saint scriptures and the temple ceremony?

Questions regarding possible Satanic influence in Nephi's killing of Laban

Summary: Critics charge that the story of Nephi being told by God to slay Laban (found in 1 Nephi 4:5-18) is problematic because the angel which came to Nephi could have been a demonic "angel of light" sent to deceive him; It is suggested that Nephi was listening to "a voice in his head" telling him to kill Laban; this could be psychosis or delusion.

Jump to details:

• Question: Could Satan have deceived Nephi into killing Laban?
• Question: Could the angel which came to Nephi have been a demonic "angel of light" sent to deceive him?
• Question: Was Nephi simply listening to "a voice in his head" telling him to kill Laban as the result of a psychosis or delusion?

Is Jesus Christ a brother of Satan?

Summary: It is claimed that the LDS consider Jesus and Satan to be "brothers," thus lowering the stature of Christ, or elevating Satan. Some go so far as to imply that the LDS "really" worship or revere Satan, and are thus not true "Christians."

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: Do Latter-day Saints consider Jesus to be the brother of Satan?

Moroni as an "angel of Satan"

Summary: Some critics have charged that Moroni, the resurrected prophet who gave the Book of Mormon plates to Joseph Smith, was really an angel of Satan. They base this charge on two passages in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 and Galatians 1:8.

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: Could Moroni have been an "angel of Satan"?

The use of the name "Lucifer" to represent Satan

Summary: The presence of the name "Lucifer" in the English translation of the Bible is considered by some to be an error: Isaiah 14:12: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" Why is this name propagated in LDS theology?

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: Why is the name "Lucifer" used to represent Satan in Latter-day Saint scriptures and the temple ceremony?