clarkkent14 wrote:It is on that principle of opposites that Satan's participation in our lives is to be explained. If we can be "encircled about eternally in the arms of [God's] love" (2 Nephi 1:15), we can also be "encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction" (Alma 5:7); and if we can be perfectly united in the at-one-ment, we can also be "cast out" (Alma 5:25), separated and split off forever—"their names shall be blotted out; . . . the names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people" (Alma 5:57). When Satan claims you as his, there is indeed a horrible oneness; for he too will embrace you to get power over you: Do "not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom" (2 Nephi 2:29; cf. 1 Nephi 13:29; 2 Nephi 28:19; Alma 8:9). He will hold you in his strong embrace, having a great hold over you (Alma 10:25; 12:17; 27:12; Helaman 16:23). Joseph Smith felt that power, and it was not an imaginary power at all, a power many have felt since (JS-H 1:16). For he "get possession" of you (3 Nephi 2:2), "for Satan desireth to have you" (3 Nephi 18:18), just as the Lord does. So while on the one hand, God "inviteth and enticeth to do good" and be one with him, so on the other hand Satan "inviteth and enticeth to sin" (Moroni 7:12-13).
Really cool post clarkkent14. Thank you. I especially liked reading this last part after reading Nibley's exposition on the meaning of the atonement. That really helps me understand the atonement more. This principle of how Satan takes possession of our “house” has helped me realize how real the plans are. What you posted shows how the atonement addresses this specific issue of the plan of salvation and I think it is the core issue. At times I feel so weak spiritually and I think that’s because we really are all extremely weak. We can’t choose to be independent from God without choosing to allow the adversary to seal us his. What I mean is I don’t think there is any middle ground. We are either filled with the spirit of the Lord or we are preyed upon by satan and his angels. The Lord has set up this situation for us to learn how to be filled with the Spirit, with love, understanding, liberty etc. We are literally coming to understand what the difference between good and evil is and choosing to BECOME good or evil. Christ’s atonement is the source of ALL that is good in this world. I hope to be able to learn how to tap into that more and more and progress toward God. Thanks again.