Here's a few thoughts about Satan and his role.
I have often thought that the best description of Satan is imitator. Hugh Nibley wrote that anti-Christ means imitation of Christ. I think that aligns well with what Elder Oaks said in Oct. 2004 Priesthood session; an anti-Christ is simply someone or something that teaches salvation can come in a way that isn't correct: i.e., that isn't through Christ. A clear example of anti meaning imitator is the anti-nephi-lehis were people who wanted to be like Nephi and Lehi. Another example is that a type of the Savior was a serpent when Moses held it up on a rod. Therefore, when Satan is called the serpent in the garden of Eden it is referring to him being a false imitation of the Savior. I think this is pretty clearly true. He told them, "if you eat of the fruit, you won't die" - he essentially taught Adam and Eve a different plan of salvation that wasn't correct.
He is a poor imitator of the truth but does his best and gets a lot of people, unfortunately.
Christ promises "peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come." D.C. 59:23. That's very different than promising success or riches or "happiness". Just a promise that peace can exist despite all the tough things in the world.
I was going to write about the spirit world and the Atonement and unfairness, but that will wait for tomorrow morning.
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