Satan then: No Choice, Satan Now: No Accountability

Us Mormons know the story. But for those who don't know...

Before coming to Earth, all of us, existed with God in heaven. We wanted to become like He was. In order for this to happen, we had to receive bodies and come here to be tried and tested. We were given 2 options: Jesus' plan and Satan's plan. Jesus presented a plan that went along with everything our Heavenly Father said. We would come here and be tried and tested. That meant we would need agency. God GAVE us the right to choose! BUT, if we wanted to get back with Heavenly Father, we would need to choose the right. Because we are imperfect men, we inevitably would sin. That's where our savior, Jesus Christ, comes in. He suffered and died for our pains and sins. Jesus did all this and still gives all the glory to God. Satan, had a much different plan in mind. He wanted us to make it back to God as well. BUT, he would force us to do so. We would not have had agency. We would not have grown. Therefore, we could not have become like God. On top of this, Satan wanted all the glory for himself. There was a war in heaven. 2/3 of us (All of us who have lived, are living, or will live on Earth) agreed with Jesus and God. 1/3 of our brothers and sisters sided with Satan. The third, along with Satan, were cast out. They were denied bodies and can never become like God or join Him again. What do they do now? Whisper evil thoughts into the hearts of men. They want us as miserable as them. After all, misery loves company.

So, back then, Satan wanted to take away agency. Now, He has a much more different plan and a very destructive one at that. He is seeking to destroy accountability. You see it everywhere. The world chants things like "My choice!" "It's my choice!" Yes, it is your choice! It is your God given right to choose! BUT, that does not mean there are no consequences. There is still right and wrong. And although Satan is very much winning at people escaping man's consequences, he will NOT succeed in stopping the consequences set forth by God.

I hope and pray that we will not fall prey to the evil whisperings of our fallen brother. He would love nothing more than for us to join him and not our Heavenly Father.

Spiritual Thought

I was thinking about how some people obey the speed limit in construction zones and some don't. I know for me, I follow it because I know it is there for protection of the workers lives. It is a request made out of care. I wonder if the people who do not follow it, view it as a burden and unnecessary. I believe it is the same with God's commandments and standards. Those who view them as being given out of love, tend to follow them better. They know they are there to keep them safe. Those who view them as a burden and unnecessary, tend to rebel and not follow them. I know for me, when I was younger, I would follow God's commandments because it's what He said. I didn't want to at times, but I did. Now, it is so much easier to follow them because I know it is there for my protection. They are given out of love :)