"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good {57} heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." [Sidenote: The devil the power of evil.] It is the devil, then, who, in this world, is the power of evil. Directly or indirectly he gets between man and the path of duty. Although a man may know the way of righteousness, the devil tempts him to neglect it, or even to depart from it and to walk in the way of evil. But who is the devil? Whence did he get such power? How came he to be the devil? [Sidenote: A council of the spirits.] In the pre-existent state, of which we learned in the preceding lesson, all the spirits of men lived together in a world of spirits. It was there that they first heard of the plan of salvation--the Gospel. The plan was explained at a great meeting, or council, of the spirits. God Himself presented the plan to them, and showed them how, in order to carry out the plan, there would be needed a Savior--someone to perform the very mission that Jesus has actually performed for us. Then, when he had fully presented the Gospel plan, God asked, "Whom shall I send?" [Sidenote: Jesus Volunteers.] There was present at the council a spirit of supreme intelligence and humility. He was Immanuel, the Son of God. This spirit stepped forward and volunteered unselfishly, "Father, here am I, send me. Thy will be done, and the glory be Thine forever." [Sidenote: Lucifer volunteers.] But there was present at the assembly a proud and haughty spirit named Lucifer, the Light-bringer, a Son of the Morning. Lucifer also volunteered, saying, "Behold--here am I, {58} 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." One can easily imagine that not only God, but the whole multitude of spirits also, must have been astounded at the selfishness and the arrogance of Lucifer. He was willing to try to save mankind--to force their salvation, in fact--but as reward he would thrust God from His throne, and claim for himself the honor and glory of God. It was as if he had said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." [Sidenote: Lucifer rebels.]