We’ve all been given the ability to choose and the opportunity to repent. But does Satan have the same options? I realize it would be extremely unlikely. But if for some reason he wanted to change, could he?? Could Satan choose to follow Christ’s light?? And is it possible for him to ever repent? I just think that it wouldn’t be very fair if everyone EXCEPT him can choose good. But I really want to know what you think.
THANKS!!
Curious
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Curious,
This is an interesting question. However, as much as we would like to see everyone have a chance to return to Heavenly Father, the truth of the matter is many people have forfeited that option, and Satan is one of them.
The reason behind this is the eternal principle of justice. Applied here, the fact is that all choices have consequences. We find this expressed in Doctrine & Covenants 130:20-21
“20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
Thus we can see that blessings are given for obedience. So by inference we can reasonably conclude that blessings are withheld for disobedience. The church has used the “Law of the Harvest” to exemplify this truth. Simply put, if you want wheat, according to the Law of the Harvest, you’d better plant wheat. If you plant corn instead, there’s nothing you can do to get wheat from what you planted.
Another beautiful way I heard this explained is this; You are free to choose whatever path you like, but when you choose a path, you also choose the end of that path. In other words, you can make whatever choice you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
Satan chose a path of full rebellion in the very presence of Heavenly Father. Nobody forced him to this decision. Satan posessed the same agency we all had in the pre-mortal life. While most of us used our agency to obey God, and thus be able to receive further blessings from him, Satan, and those who followed after him used their agency to fight against God. Satan planted seeds of rebellion and disobedience. Eternal Justice demands that he receive the consequences of that choice, and one of those consequences is a complete loss of an opportunity for a mortal life. Because he will never receive a physical body, he will never be able to obtain what is needed to return to God’s presence. Satan knew the consequences of his choice before he made the decision, yet he proceeded despite knowing what it would cost him. Because he knew beforehand, it is ultimately fair that he receive the consequences of his choice.
Gramps
