2 Nephi 28:1–26

Identifying and Overcoming the Tactics of Satan

Do you feel confident in your ability to recognize Satan’s efforts to lead you away from the Savior? Nephi identified some of the false ideas and strategies Satan would use to try to turn people from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the last days. This lesson is intended to help you recognize the cunning tactics of Satan and seek the Savior’s help to overcome them.

Encouraging learners to rely on Jesus Christ. Use the scriptures and words of prophets to help students understand that Jesus Christ has the power to help them. They can exercise faith in Him to overcome temptations, repent from sin, and endure through trials.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to read the “Cheetahs and Topis” section of the talk “Watchful unto Prayer Continually” by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 32). Or students could be invited to watch either “Spiritual Crocodiles” (8:19) or “Watchful unto Prayer Continually” from time code 1:27 to 5:00, looking for how understanding predatory animals could teach important truths about the tactics of Satan. Both videos are available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Possible Learning Activities

Satan’s purposes

Consider beginning the lesson by sharing the following statement:

We are involved in an ongoing war against evil. President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught how the Book of Mormon can help us in this war:

The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Nephi 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 3)

• In what ways do you see the Book of Mormon doing some of these things taught by President Benson?

As you study, look for truths that can help you better recognize and overcome the cunning tactics of Satan.

False teachings and strategies of Satan

Depending on the needs and abilities of students, it may be beneficial to give students time to read all of 2 Nephi 28 on their own before discussing the chapter as a class. Students could make a list of the following as they study: Satan’s strategies and false teachings, examples of those strategies and false teachings in our day, and teachings that can help us overcome Satan’s efforts. Students could then share what they learned from their reading. If you choose this option, consider adapting the following lesson material to help students process and apply what they learn.

In 2 Nephi 28, Nephi continued his prophecy of the last days. Read 2 Nephi 28:5–9, looking for some of the teachings and attitudes that Nephi saw would exist in our day.

• What evidence do you see of these teachings and attitudes in our day?

• How are the corrupt teachings stated in these verses and the attitudes of those who believe them spiritually dangerous?

These verses represent some of the attitudes and beliefs that result from Satan’s deceptions. Nephi continued his teachings by identifying specific strategies Satan would use to try to grasp us with his power.

Consider writing the following incomplete statement on the board: Satan seeks to grasp us with his everlasting chains by …

Read 2 Nephi 28:19–22, looking for teachings that can help you complete this statement:

• Based on what you learned from these verses, what are some ways you could complete the statement: Satan seeks to grasp us with his everlasting chains by … ?

Consider inviting students to write phrases on the board that could complete the statement: Satan seeks to grasp us with his everlasting chains by … Following are some of the teachings students may have identified:

• stirring people up to anger against that which is good,

• pacifying and lulling away individuals into carnal security, and

• telling people that there is no hell and no devil.

It may be helpful to know that the phrase “lull them away into carnal security” (verse 21) refers to Satan’s efforts to make people feel comfortable in their sinful state and that they have no need to change.

Consider inviting students to further think about what it looks like when Satan uses each of these strategies today. You could share the following scenarios and ask students to identify which of Satan’s tactics from verses 20–22 is represented in each scenario.

1. Maria made the decision to cheat on her school assignment so she could receive a good score. She felt guilty at first, but she recognized that she never got caught and ended up cheating on other assignments as well. She now feels like acting dishonestly can help her get what she wants in life.

2. Jude has noticed that when he reads social media posts about Jesus Christ or the Church, there are often many negative comments that attack the Church or people who believe in the Savior.

3. Skye has a few friends who try to persuade her to lower her standards. They argue that since there is no life after death it’s silly to worry about a place where people go to account for their so-called sins.

• What are other examples you can think of that illustrate Satan’s strategies listed in verses 20–22?

Think about your own life. Do you feel like any of Satan’s strategies you have learned about are impacting you? Consider recording your thoughts in your study journal. As you continue to study, look for how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help you overcome Satan’s deceptions in your life.

Turning to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to overcome Satan

We can overcome Satan and his deceptions as we rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Create the following heading in your study journal: “How Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help me overcome Satan.”

Consider writing this phrase on the board. After students complete the following study activity, they could write on the board one or more of the scripture references they found. You could read a few of these scripture passages as a class and invite the students to update their own lists based on what they learn from their peers.

Find scripture passages or teachings from Church leaders that can help you in your efforts to overcome Satan. Record your insights in your study journal.

Consider studying some of the scripture references listed under “Tempt, Temptation” in Guide to the Scriptures or “Temptation” in the Topical Guide. You might also study Nephi’s teachings in 2 Nephi 28:17, 26–32. Other helpful scripture passages include 1 Nephi 15:24; Helaman 5:12; and 3 Nephi 18:15, 18.

• How can the teachings from the Church leaders and scripture passages you found help you overcome Satan’s strategies you identified earlier in the lesson?

Ponder your experiences studying today. Take a moment to make a plan based on what you feel the Lord would have you do to better protect yourself against Satan’s tactics. Record this plan in your study journal. You will have an opportunity to refer to this plan in the upcoming “Assess Your Learning” lesson.

Commentary and Background Information

What other teachings and strategies does Satan use?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified:

Satan is a subtle snake, sneaking into our minds and hearts when we have let our guard down, faced a disappointment, or lost hope. He entices us with flattery, a promise of ease, comfort, or a temporary high when we are low. He justifies pride, unkindness, dishonesty, discontent, and immorality, and in time we can be “past feeling” [1 Nephi 17:45]. The Spirit can leave us. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 108)

What else can I do to be protected from Satan?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63)

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Christ-centered homes are fortresses for the kingdom of God on earth in a day when, as prophesied, the devil “rage[s] in the hearts of the children of men, and stir[s] them up to anger against that which is good” [2 Nephi 28:20]. …

For our safety, we must build a fortress of spirituality and protection for our very souls, a fortress that will not be penetrated by the evil one. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 108)

Consider watching the following video for ideas from Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles about how we can resist Satan:

Supplemental Learning Activities

An alternate way to begin the lesson

Consider displaying objects or pictures related to some of Satan’s strategies listed in 2 Nephi 28:20–26—for example, chains, a baby pacifier, and a rocking chair. Invite students to examine these objects, thinking about their purpose. Remind students that Nephi was prophesying about the last days, and ask them to consider how these items symbolize Satan’s strategies in our day.

Using teachings from general conference to combat Satan

Invite students to study general conference teachings to generate a list of ways to overcome Satan. The following addresses may help:

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Be Not Deceived,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 43–46

• David A. Bednar, “Watchful unto Prayer Continually,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 31–35

• Gary E. Stevenson, “Deceive Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 93–96

Using For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022)

Students could pick an area they would like to improve in and study relevant sections. As they study, they could look for how Satan tempts people to not follow that standard and how they can overcome these temptations.