Dear Gramps,

It mentions in Revelations that 1/3 of the spirits were
banished from the presence of God.  In Abraham 3:28, no number is
given, but it says “and many followed after him.”  In LDS lessons and
talks, we always hear 1/3 quoted.  Could 1/3 be just an estimate given
by John?  I would tend to think Abraham’s quote would be more accurant
since Joseph Smith translated it.

First Time Reader

Dear First Time Reader,

In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we are told that it was a third part of the hosts of heaven that followed Lucifer and became his angels.  This revelation is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 29:  “36 And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil—for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; 37 And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels;”

It is difficult to realize that 1/3 of the spiritual children of our Father in Heaven would follow Lucifer and become his angels.  Lucifer wanted to take away the free agency of the children of God, receive the honor and glory and force everyone to do what he wanted.  Evidently this appealed to those that followed Lucifer and became his angels.

Gramps II