Background:
The great prophet Abraham lived in a time of awful wickedness. It was a period of worshipping false gods and offering human sacrifice. For example, we are told of three young women who were killed upon an altar because they would not bow down and worship gods of wood and stone (see Abr. 1:11). But Abraham desired righteousness and the blessings of the priesthood because he found they brought him "greater happiness and peace" (Abr. 1:2). Because he resisted the evil around him, Abraham was placed upon the altar as a sacrifice to a false god. But God heard the prayer of his faithful prophet, loosed his bands, and smote the wicked priest of Elkenah.
Elder F. Melvin Hammond, "In Abraham's Footsteps", New Era, Sept 2002.
Prepare by Studying the following:
Abraham 1:1-4; 2:1-11; Genesis 12:1-8; 17:1-9
1. God covenants with Abraham
In these passages (listed above) Abraham seeks to be righteous and worthy of the blessings of God. God covenants with Abraham, promising that Abraham will have numerous posterity who will receive a promised land and the blessings of the priesthood and the gospel.
"Covenants are agreements we make with our Heavenly Father in which we commit our hearts, minds, and behavior to keeping the commandments defined by the Lord. As we are faithful in keeping our agreement, He covenants, or promises to bless us, ultimately with all that He has." (Paul E. Koelliker, Liahona, Nov 2005, 94-95)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie Explained: "Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation) then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. Included in the divine promises to Abraham was the assurance that Christ would come through his lineage and the assurance that Abraham's posterity would receive certain choice, promised lands as an eternal inheritance.
"All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac and again with Jacob. Those portions of it which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage; through that order the participating parties become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."( Mormon Doctrine 2 ed. [1966], 13).
"Together, all the covenants and promises that Abraham received from the Lord are called the Abrahamic covenant. It is an everlasting covenant that extends to all of Abraham's seed (see Genesis 17:7). To be counted as Abraham's seed, an individual must obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Then that person can receive all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant, even if he or she is not a literal descendant of Abraham (see Galatians 2:26-29; 4:1-7; D&C 84:33-40).
2. We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant
All Church members are the seed of Abraham, which means we are his descendants and heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. These great blessings come to us when we keep gospel covenants. The first covenant we make is baptism. We later receive the fullness of the Abrahamic covenant in the temple.
- What blessings did the Lord promise Abraham as part of the Abrahamic covenant? (See Abraham 2:6-11; Genesis 12:1-8; 17:1-9)
- What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant? (See Abraham 2:9,11; Genesis 18:19)
Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-24, 29-32; Genesis 15; "Abrahamic Covenant of," Bible Dictionary, page 602.
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