In Latter-day Saint belief, Lucifer’s rebellion happened before mortality, in the premortal spirit world. He didn’t fall while on earth—he was a mighty spirit son of God who rejected the Father’s plan. His alternative was a counterfeit salvation that removed agency: “I will redeem all mankind… wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1). When God rejected it, Lucifer rebelled, and he and his followers were cast out (Revelation 12:7–9).

Because agency requires opposition (2 Nephi 2:11), some wonder: If Lucifer hadn’t rebelled, how would the plan have worked? The answer is that the plan never depended on him personally—it depended on the existence of choice. Opposition could still arise from:

• Mortality itself—pain, death, ignorance, and conflicting desires create moral tests (Moses 6:48; Mosiah 3:19).
• Another rebellious spirit—agency means defiance is always possible (Alma 13:3–4).
• Non-personal trials—symbolic tests like the tree in Eden (Genesis 2:16–17) could present choices without a devil whispering.

Lucifer became the adversary, but he was not a required ingredient of the plan—only the most infamous volunteer.

Scriptural Chain: Opposition in God’s Plan

1. Agency Requires Opposition — 2 Nephi 2:11–16
2. The Fall Enables Growth — Moses 5:10–11
3. Satan’s Rebellion — Moses 4:1–4; Revelation 12:7–9
4. Temptation Not the Only Source of Trials — Mosiah 23:21; Alma 36:3
5. God’s Plan From the Beginning — Alma 12:25–26

If Satan Hadn’t Rebelled: The Alternate Timeline

Imagine the premortal council ends, and Lucifer says, “You know what, Father? Your plan is perfect. I’m in.” No war in heaven, no third of the hosts falling. Everyone enters mortality with a smile and a fresh pair of wings in storage.

Opposition still has to exist, of course—so instead of a devil, trials come from…

• Mosquitoes — now fully weaponized to test patience and charity.
• Half-price cheesecake during a diet — the new “forbidden fruit” scenario.
• That one neighbor who mows at 6 a.m. on Saturdays — mortal opposition incarnate.
• The DMV — proving that endurance is a celestial law.

Adam and Eve still eat the fruit, but this time it’s a mutual “We should probably learn stuff now” moment instead of a serpentine sales pitch. Mortality proceeds as planned—minus the guy in red pajamas waving a pitchfork.

Moral: Opposition is eternal, but villains are replaceable.