I have shown that in the fast collision approximation, the scattering operator for resonant x-ray scattering can be expressed in terms of simple spin-orbital moment operators M\sp(k)(l,s) of the valence shell involved in the resonance. Using these operators, one not only can determine the thermal expectation values of the various spin-orbit multipole moments in the valence shell through the coherent elastic scattering and absorption, but also can obtain the moment-moment correlation functions (Van Hove scattering function S(q,ω)) among the various atoms of the scattering sample from the coherent elastic and inelastic scattering. We have applied the effective scattering operators to the x-ray magnetic scattering in La\sb2−xSr\sbxCuO\sb4 high temperature superconductors, and obtained the relations between the scattering cross-section and the Van Hove scattering function, and the instantaneous correlation function of the spins in these materials. This theory is applicable to the analysis of a broad range of resonant x-ray elastic and inelastic scattering and absorption experiments involving rare earth, actinide and transition elements.