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Book of Mormon Central / Archive / KnoWhy #43 - Why Did Lehi “Suppose” the Existence of Satan? (2 Nephi 24:12; Isaiah 14:12)

KnoWhy #43 - Why Did Lehi “Suppose” the Existence of Satan? (2 Nephi 24:12; Isaiah 14:12)

TitleKnoWhy #43 - Why Did Lehi “Suppose” the Existence of Satan? (2 Nephi 24:12; Isaiah 14:12)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsAdversary; Ancient Near East; Lehi (Prophet); Mythology; Opposition; Satan
Abstract

The Book of Mormon has a stark portrayal of Satan as an enemy to God and all righteousness. Curiously, the Old Testament seems to lack such a concrete description of Satan, with only vague references that result in conflicting interpretations. How is it that Lehi and subsequent Book of Mormon prophets came to a knowledge of Satan? It seems likely that the Book of Mormon draws from a larger ancient Near Eastern mythological culture of rebellious angels and fallen deities in its own depiction of Lucifer. This would perhaps explain why Lehi "supposed" the existence of Satan and taught about him so clearly and powerfully in the Book of Mormon
URLhttp://www.knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/why-did-lehi-suppose-the-existence-of-satan
Citation Key1358

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Scripture Reference

2 Nephi 24:12
Isaiah 14:12