In my reading this week I was finishing up 3 Nephi and came across a 'Him' that I was a bit unclear of. It occurs in verse 32 of Chapter 27.
32 But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads.
Just a casual reading of this would suggest that 'him' is talking about Satan, but a more closely reading indicates that 'him' is the one that made captive Lucifer and cause Lucifer to become Satan or the son of Perdition.
I can think of two things that might be relating to this 'him' for which this scripture speaks. The first would be Glory, Power, Wealth since it indicates they who follow him will "sell" Christ for wealth, (silver and gold). Which Lucifer did try and take Christ's place for the Glory of God.
The second option is more fundamental and goes back to what I have mentioned before about how Satan was not needed for the plan to succeed because there already existed an implement of opposition to god's plan, the Natural Man. If this is the case it would require me to rethink what the Natural man is in some respects.
I have heard it taught on several occasions that the Natural man is apart of this mortal experience, because this is the first time our Intelligence has had to govern over lesser intelligence that govern the structure of the crude mater that makes up our mortal bodies. For example govern the functions of an atom.
If the 'him' for which this scripture speaks is the Natural Man; then it existed with us before mortality and has been Gods enemy for all eternity. It in fact has little if nothing to do with governance over lesser intelligence by our intelligence, but of the general undeveloped state of intelligence in general to look out for self interest and power and glory irregardless of the effects on others. Oddly enough it might be this Natural Man in each intelligence that drew us to God in the first place. The real purpose of the plan in few words would be ,'to overcome the Natural Man'. That is God's overarching plan for us intelligence and the plan of salvation is simply a component of the plan to make that grand plan possible.
So it does matter what 'him' is in this case.
What do you think?
