In the pre-existence, Satan convinced one-third of the people to follow him, stated Arthur Dole Hannemann, President of the BYU–Hawaii First Stake, at a devotional message on October 27, at the Cannon Activities Center, BYU–Hawaii.
"He is one-third and growing and his evil influence is as powerful today as it was in the pre-existence. Even, I'll say, even more powerful today than ever before than the pre-existence, or since the beginning of man!" said Hannemann.
He told a story of a friend who was heavily involved in illegal activity. When asked how it began, his friend replied, "It started small and grew out of control."
"Realize also that Satan's influence and teachings are so powerful that in today's world one plus one does not always equal two—when what you thought and believed was the norm or right is no longer the norm," said Hannemann.
He continued, quoting Moroni 7:17: "But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil and believe not in Christ and deny him and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."
Hannemann emphasized four points to remember. The first was to "Realize that Satan's plan is a plan of misery and eternal demise."
“Whatever he would have you do, realize that misery will follow,” said Hannemann.
His second point was to “Read the Book of Mormon—read it every day.”
“I’m going to suggest three to five chapters a day. For me, the first chapter at times is words, by the second chapter the characters come to life, and by the third chapter I begin to feel the Spirit. Read, read and read it every day,” said Hannemann.
The third point was to“Become anxiously engaged in helping, serving, and saving others” which led to his fourth point—“Have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
He summed, “May we find Power in His love and His truth and turn our backs on the evil one and his deceptive influences as we move forward knowing that through Jesus our Savior, we will win!"
--Photo by Monique Saenz