Satan's measure of equality was that all people would receive the same benefits regardless of their character. Because poor character leads to improper choices and disqualification of benefits, Satan's plan involved removing choice from the equation. Force everyone to do good, and then there are no mistakes regardless of the character of each man. Then, each can enjoy equal benefits of an error-free society. Thus, everyone would achieve happiness.
Heavenly Father's measure of equality was one of equal opportunity. Those who made correct choices would receive the benefits. For those who made incorrect choices but desired to change, One who was able would pay the ransom for their mistakes on their behalf, so it would be as if they had not made the mistakes. Happiness, our Heavenly Father taught, comes from constant righteous living of our own free will and choice, such that our very character, or that which defines us, is one of continual light and goodness. This state of character could only come as a result of our own choices. Forced righteousness does not have the power to change one's character.
Satan's plan would have brought equality as he defines it to all people This is assuming he was able to continually force righteousness on all. I don't believe he could have accomplished that. However, even if he could have accomplished complete control, the resulting absolute lack of freedom would only bring misery. People would say kind words only because they had to. Men and women would provide for their families because that was what was required. Those who would be poor would be poor no longer, but only because outstretched arms of mercy were being controlled with puppet strings.
Heavenly Father's plan, in contrast, would allow equality as He defined it. Each person would have equal opportunity to progress in this life. Not equality in wealth or worldly prestige, because in the long run those things matter little. Rather they would be equal in their freedom to choose who and what they would become. Each person, as a result of their everyday choices, would choose their own character. As a natural consequence, those who choose a character that reflects that of Heavenly Father would have happiness that reflects the happiness Heavenly Father has, for His happiness stems from His character.
Satan lost the battle of ideals in heaven, and he was cast out. But the war has not ended. Battles continue to rage here. Across the world, there are those that battle for freedom to choose one's character, and there are those that battle for control over everyone's choices.
Whose side am I on?