Topical Guide/Doctrinal issues/Evil and Suffering/Satan

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The Mormon understanding of Satan

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• The Mormon understanding of Satan: Abilities
• The Mormon understanding of Satan: Relationship to God
• Questions regarding possible Satanic influence in Nephi's killing of Laban

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?