How Art Thou Fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer

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!

For thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation,

in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will be like the most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell,

to the sides of the pit.

Isaiah, 14:12-15

Certain spirits “born” to our perfected Heavenly Parents are considered “sons,” and undoubtedly “daughters,” of the morning. With this designation, certain First Estate spirits were given assignments of authority. YHWH (Jehovah, Jesus Christ), although still a spirit, received “god” status in the pre-mortal realm. Adam was assigned tasks associated with the creation of the earth. Lucifer, one of the spirits in “authority” was given significant duties and responsibilities–foreordained with Priesthood tasks.

Isaiah undoubtedly knew Lucifer well in the preexistence. As one fore-ordained to hold priesthood keys of a dispensational prophet, Isaiah was most certainly a “son of the morning,” just as his brother, Lucifer. They sat in council together, they spoke about their Father’s great Plan of Happiness and the opportunities it would afford, they served and ministered in the Heavens side-by-side.

This epic biblical poem effectively casts light on the underlying anguish Isaiah certainly felt, as he watched his brother and friend, full of pride and rage, conclusively fall from heaven and lose his opportunity of an Eternal Life. How awful. Each person is worth worlds.

“And he was angry…” (Luke 15:28, Abraham 3:28) I love the story of the expanding, accelerating universe, found in Luke 15, aka the “Prodigal Son.” This famous parable illustrates what happens when we lose an eternal perspect, when we forget that heaven is a big place, and that it’s getting bigger. That, there is room enough for all of us who want an Eternal Life. And, that real glory is derived from/by Grace and Charity, nothing more.

Even though we have had a “veil of forgetfulness” placed over our minds, as a prerequisite condition of our birth into this earth life (which makes us forget everything), the Adversary has had no such restriction placed on his memory of the events preceding the creation and population of this world. He knows what’s at stake. He knows the Gospel and the Plan. And, he knows human nature, and the weaknesses we possess. He knows and remembers everything from the beginning, (remember, he was/is a “son of the morning”), and he’s not afraid to use that fact in violent strategic vehemence against us.

So, how does Lucifer/Satan/Devil/Adversary use that knowledge against us?

In a 2017 address, President Russell M Nelson taught that Satan would:

engender rage and anger
flatter
teach there is no devil
encourage apathy, pacificity and complacency; “lull them away into carnal security”

President Nelson goes on to observe:

“Attitudes of apathy toward the Church and the gospel are but symptoms–symptoms of an underlying lack of conversion to the Lord. Thus, the best way to combat apathy is to deepen one’s conversion to God and His Beloved Son.”

(Read: “Building Faith and a Stronger Church,” General Conference Leadership Meeting, March 30, 2017)

Lucifer, even though probably a great guy at one time, has clearly done an impressive job at disguising misery as happiness. He wants all of us to lose sight of the benefits of a peaceful, humble, adversity-free, and productive earthlife–to be miserable like unto himself.

But, let God prevail.

*** Additional Notes for this Post:

SON OF THE MORNING. The title “son of the morning” is found three times in scriptural writings, although the Book of Mormon reference is taken from biblical records (D&C 76:26; Isa. 14:12-16; 2 Ne. 24:12-16). The title is always associated with Lucifer, who was cast out of heaven for rebellion.

President George Q. Cannon said: “Some have called him ‘the’ son of the morning, but here it is ‘a’ son of the morning-one among many, doubtless. This angel was a mighty personage. He occupied a very high position. He was thought a great deal of. He was mighty in hissphere. His plan was so plausible and so attractive that out of the whole hosts of heaven one-third accepted his plan and were willing to cast their lot with him.” (GT 1:4-5.)

Just as Jesus was the “first-born” spirit child of our Father (D&C 93:21), so Lucifer appears to be one of those who was an early born spirit child, “a”son of the morning.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has added that “Lucifer, son of the morning, also apparently signifies son of light or son of prominence, meaning that Satan held a position of power and authority in pre-existence” (MD, 744). “Just what authority Lucifer held before his rebellion we do not know,” said President Joseph Fielding Smith, “but he was an angel of light, his name, Lucifer, meaning torchbearer” (CHMR 1:281).

* * * * * *

MOSES 4

1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

ABRAHAM 3

24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 76

25 And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,

26 And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.

27 And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!

28 And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ—

29 Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.

Pride is a wicked thing. I know, personally.

Lucifer. For someone who was very “popular” in the realms of heaven, he’s really a whiner. Weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

< THE LUCIFER HYPOTHESIS >

Pre-supposed characteristics of Lucifer:

Handsome
Friendly
Charismatic
Great sense of humor
Orator
Scriptorian, Well-versed in the Doctrines of the Heavens
A Holy Ghost in an Associate Kingdom (Hypothesis)
Proud, heady, high-minded
An Anti-Christ
Does not carry a pitchfork
Does not have horns and a tail
Will tell you a thousand truths, to get you to believe one lie… (I have been doing the same thing which has been done in other worlds…[without rebuttle from Eloheim])

DISCUSSION DIAGRAM SUPPORTING HYPOTHESIS

Other Supporting References (THESE ARE JUST MY NOTES, REMEMBER?!):

JEHOVAH WAS ONCE A HOLY GHOST

If the Holy Ghost is performing a function as the permeating administrator throughout Eloi’s Kingdom, and then is to transition at a future time to perform the function as a Savior/Redeemer, then it stands to reason that Jehovah once performed the duties of a Holy Ghost successfully.

So, then did Jehovah perform the duties of a “Spirit of God” in one of Eloheim’s “brother’s” kingdoms prior to becoming the Savior of Eloheim’s creations? And, prior to that event, did Eloheim perform the duties of a “Spirit of God,” in an Associate Kingdom?! And, so forth? (If You Could Hie To Kolob. W.W. Phelps;

Why would Eloi prepare another “Son” to perform an Atonement if Jesus Christ (YHWH) has already preformed an Atonement for all of Eloi’s creations, all that have existed and all that will exist?! (Moses 1:33,35)

Moses 1:32

John 1:3

3 Nephi 16:1-3 (DC 138:27; DC76:77; Millennial Star Vol 4, pp 49-55)

Joseph Smith said that, “The Holy Ghost is yet a spiritual body and is waiting to take to himself a body, as the Savior did.” [Joseph Smith, Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings, edited by Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q. Cannon (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997)]

ELOHEIM (ELOI, EL) WAS ONCE A HOLY GHOST

Truth is reason truth eternal…

I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it, and that I had the trump of an archangel, so that I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease for ever. What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon!) The Scriptures inform us that Jesus said, As the Father hath power in Himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down His body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do we believe it? If you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible. 2 The Scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. (TPJS, p.346)

Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, 3 namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me. (TPJS, p. 346)

(ENCYCLOPEDIA of JOSEPH SMITH’S TEACHINGS; Cannon, Dahl, Smith.) But the Holy Ghost is yet a spiritual body and waiting to take to himself a body, as the Savior did or as God did or the gods before them took bodies; for the Savior says the work that my Father did do I also. . . . He took himself a body and then laid down his life that he might take it up again. (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 382; standardized)

THE HOLY GHOST IS A NECESSARY POSITION IN THE TRIOLOGY OF THE GODHEAD

The Holy Ghost is a necessary position/station in the trilogy of the Godhead, to fill the extents of the Kingdom of God—the immensity of space. (Eloi as a Perfected Man can only exist in one place. And, although at one time Jehovah could fill the immensity of space [within a specific Kingdom], he could not after taking on his mortal tabernacle, and, subsequently can only exist in one place, as the Father does.)

God the Creator, God the Savior, God the Testator

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught (April Conference, 2017)“… These personages … are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator. [It is] the province of the Father to preside as the Chief or President, Jesus as the Mediator, and the Holy Ghost as the Testator or Witness.”² Teachings: Joseph Smith, 42.

THE HOLY GHOST WILL BECOME A SAVIOR (or SIMILAR)

“The Holy Ghost is now in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has.” (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245; Sabbath Address, Nauvoo, 27 August 1843. Reported by Franklin D. Richards.)

[Unless, our Holy Ghost, eventually takes a similar path to the path Lucifer chose, hypothetically speaking within the context of the Son(s) of the Morning postulate. Maybe he determines it’s easier to restrict AGENCY to effect outcomes, and presents his own plan contrary to his Father’s Plan.]

* * * * *

SON(S) of the MORNING POSTULATE

Who were the “sons of the morning?”

DC 76:25-2

* * * * * *

Jesus and the Devil (JST Matthew 4)

Lucifer had the advantage of perfect recall about all that occurred in Pre-Earth events that led up to this specific point in time. Lucifer knew the Plan–perfectly. Power through redemption and resurrection. Lucifer had only a couple of times of percieved weakness to foil the Father’s Plan (so, shortsighted). Lucifer’s interaction with his eternal nemesis on this occassion was a tipping point in Jesus’s eternal mission/priesthood assignment.

JST/KJV

1 Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple.

6 Then the devil came unto him and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.

9 And the devil came unto him again, and said, All these things will I give unto thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him [John]. And Jesus departed into Galilee …

Lucifer. Literally the Shining One; also Lightbringer or Son of the Morning. Lucifer is also known as Satan or the devil. The name Lucifer appears only once in the Bible (Isa. 14:12; compare Luke 10:18). Apparently, Lucifer is the name of the devil before his rebellion and fall. Latter-day revelation clarifies the fall of Lucifer and equates him with Satan (D&C 76:25–38; see also Rev. 12; 2 Ne. 9:8; D&C 29:36–38; Moses 4:1–4).

Isaiah 14:12-15

Moses 4:1-4

Did Lucifer also pass through a probationary period as a “Holy Ghost?” Is that why his fall was so great that “the heavens wept over him?” (DC 76:25-27, a son of the morning) And, that his following was so abundant?! (Think of it, at least 50 billion, if not hundreds of billions, of our Heavenly Parents’ begotten children opted out of the opportunity to receive a body. Incredible. Incomprehensible.) Once performing the duties of a Holy Ghost in an Associate Kingdom, Lucifer (one of the Sons of the Morning) would have accumulated a significant amount of credibility with many (1/3) of the begotten Sons and Daughters unto our Heavenly Parents—thus the great weeping, and ample following of God’s children to the Devil. Perhaps, even, the “Plan” in the Associate Kingdom where he “served” may have had significant deviations of an “agency” factor that he observed and brought back to the Grand Council where it was argued by Lucifier that an alternate Plan was a viable option to Eloi’s Plan. After all, we cannot assume that ALL the laws and commandments in an Associate Kingdom are exactly parallel with Eloi’s Kingdom.

Isaiah 14:12-15

Moses 4:1-4

President George Q. Cannon said: “Some have called him ‘the’ son of the morning, but here it is ‘a’ son of the morning-one among many, doubtless. This angel was a mighty personage. Â He occupied a very high position.Âhe was thought a greatdeal of.Âhe was mighty in hissphere.ÂHis plan Â was so plausible and so attractive that out of the whole hosts of heaven one-third accepted his plan and were willing to cast their lot with him.” (GT 1:4-5.)

Just as Jesus was the “first-born” spirit child of our Father (D&C 93:21), so Lucifer appears to be one of those who was an early born spirit child, “a”son of the morning.