Satan Seeks to Debase Minds—I have been shown that Satan seeks to debase the minds of those who unite in marriage, that he may stamp his own hateful image upon their children.... {1MCP 136.2} He can mold their posterity much more readily than he could the parents, for he can so control the minds of the parents that through them he may give his own stamp of character to their children. Thus many children are born with the animal passions largely in the ascendancy while the moral faculties are but feebly developed.—Testimonies for the Church 2:480 (1870). {1MCP 136.3}

Satan forsøger at forringe menneskers sindelag. - Jeg er blevet vist at Satan forsøger at forringe deres tanker som gifter sig, så han kan påtrykke sit eget hadefulde billede på deres børn. . . . Han kan hurtigere tildanne deres efterkommere end han kunne med forældrene, for han kan styre forældres sind således at han igennem dem kan give sit eget karakteraftryk på deres børn. Således fødes deres børn mere med dyriske tilbøjeligheder over sig, medens de moralske evner kun er svagt udviklede. - vidnesbyrd 2 480 (1870).