5

Genesis 12–17

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Genesis 12–13. Through His Obedience, Abram Was Preserved by God and Led to the Promised Land Great blessings were promised to Abram (see Genesis 12:1–3; 13:14–18). Famine in the promised land caused Abram to go to Egypt (see Genesis 12:4–13; JST, Genesis 13:11). The Lord protected Abram and Sarai in Egypt (see Genesis 12:14–20). Abram prospered and settled in the promised land (see Genesis 13; JST, Genesis 13:13–14).	Religion 301 student manual, 5-1 through 5-7. Abraham 1:18–19. Through whose ministry is the Messiah to be known forever? Abraham 2:8–11. What specific promises were made to Abraham and his seed? Galatians 3:7–9, 27–29. Who are the children of Abraham who will be blessed with him? TPJS, pp. 59–60. Did Abraham have the gospel of Christ? DBY, p. 106. Who may obtain the promise and blessings of Abraham? DS, 1:164–65; 3:244–47, 249–50. The covenant and blessings of Abraham are discussed. Edward J. Brandt, “The Journeys and Events of the Life of Abraham,” Ensign, Feb. 1973, pp. 40–41. This article gives a good chronological summary of Abraham’s journeys. Edward J. Brandt, “The Covenants and Blessings of Abraham,” Ensign, Feb. 1973, pp. 42–43. This article gives a good summary and a harmony of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Genesis 14. Abraham Served Under the Great High Priest Melchizedek Abraham pursued foreign raiders and rescued Lot (see Genesis 14:1–16). Melchizedek blessed Abram (see Genesis 14:17–20; JST, Genesis 14:17–20). Abram refused tribute from the king of Sodom (see Genesis 14:21–24). Melchizedek, the great high priest, established righteousness among his people (see JST, Genesis 14:25–40).	Religion 301 student manual, 5-8 through 5-9. Alma 13:14–19. What did Melchizedek accomplish among his people? What were his titles? D&C 84:6–14. Who ordained Abraham to the priesthood? D&C 107:1–4. Why is the high priesthood called after Melchizedek? (see also D&C 76:57). D&C 138:41. Who is “the great high priest”? Bruce R. McConkie, in CR, Apr. 1974, p. 103. What is one reason that Melchizedek possessed such great powers? Bruce R. McConkie, in CR, Oct. 1977, pp. 52–53. What powers of the priesthood did Melchizedek have? (see also JST, Genesis 14:26–29, 33–37, 40).
Genesis 15–17. Abram Was Blessed to Be the Father of Many Nations The blessings upon Abram were reaffirmed by covenant (see Genesis 15:1–11; JST, Genesis 15:9–12). The Lord prophesied of the bondage of Abram’s posterity in Egypt and also of their eventual freedom (see Genesis 15:12–16). The extent of the promised land was revealed to Abram (see Genesis 15:17–21). Sarai gave her handmaid Hagar to Abram, but Hagar began to despise her mistress after conceiving a child (see Genesis 16:1–6). The Lord promised blessings to Ishmael (see Genesis 16:7–16; 17:20; JST, Genesis 16:14–20). Abram and Sarai were called Abraham and Sarah by the Lord (see Genesis 17:5, 15). The Lord reaffirmed his promise to Abraham that he would be a father of nations and kings (see Genesis 17:1–6; JST, Genesis 17:1–10). The practice of circumcision was ordained as a token of the Lord’s covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 17:7–14, 23–27; JST, Genesis 17:11–12). The Lord blessed Sarah and prophesied of the birth of Isaac (see Genesis 17:15–21; JST, Genesis 17:23).	Religion 301 student manual, 5-10 through 5-20. John 8:56. What did Abraham see in vision? D&C 132:34, 65. Why did Sarah give Hagar to Abraham as a wife? AF, p. 127. The ordinances of circumcision and baptism are compared. AF, p. 414. What was the authority structure in ancient patriarchal families? TPJS, pp. 149–50. What effect does the Holy Ghost have on a Gentile who is baptized and thus becomes an heir to the blessings of Abraham?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

What Is the Abrahamic Covenant? (Section A)

Understanding the Abrahamic covenant is essential to understanding the concept of a chosen or covenant people of the Lord. List the four major covenant blessings and promises the Lord gave to Abraham:

1. A promised land (see Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; Abraham 2:19).

2. Numerous posterity (Genesis 12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:2–6; 22:17; Abraham 1:2; 2:9; 3:14).

3. A great name (Genesis 12:2; Abraham 2:9–11).

4. His posterity to bless the nations of the world (Genesis 12:2–3; 18:18; 22:18; Abraham 1:18; 2:9–11).

   1. They would exert a righteous influence throughout the world.

   2. They would take the gospel blessings and priesthood to the world.

   3. The Savior of the world would come through Abraham’s lineage.

After discussing these blessings, teach that those not born in the lineage of Abraham may obtain all of these blessings through the law of adoption when they join the Church and embrace the covenants (see Abraham 2:10).

Joseph Smith taught that all promises are “earned by our own diligence in keeping His commandments and walking uprightly before Him” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 66).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie related the Abrahamic covenant to the gospel today:

“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. (Abra. 2:6–11; D. & C. 132:29–50.) 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. (Abra. 2; Gen. 17; 22:15–18; Gal. 3.)

“All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 24:60; 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob. (Gen. 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4.) 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. (D. & C. 132; Rom. 9:4; Gal. 3; 4.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 13.)

Religion 301 student manual, 5–20, provides another approach to teaching the promises of Abraham.

Who May Receive the Blessings of Abraham? (Sections A, C)

Be sure that your students understand that everyone may receive the blessings of Abraham through baptism, even though they may not have been born in the Church (see Abraham 2:10; Romans 9:6–8; Galatians 3:27–29). Read the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement about the effect the Holy Ghost has upon a Gentile who accepts the gospel (see Teachings, pp. 149–50).

Characterizations of Abraham (Sections A–C)

Abraham’s titles indicate what is required to receive the blessings of Abraham. Have the students read the following scriptures and then discuss the qualities Abraham had that we should seek to develop.

“Friend of God” (James 2:23). What is required of us to become friends of God? (see also D&C 84:63, 77; 93:45–46).

“Father of the faithful” (Galatians 3:8–9). How is faithfulness to God and to our covenants related to the Lord’s promises to us?

One of the “jewels” of God (D&C 101:3–4). What must an individual demonstrate to God to become one of his “jewels”? (see also Zechariah 9:16; Malachi 3:17).

What Are the Blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood? (Section B)

Using the address by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in Conference Report, October 1977, pages 49–53, outline ten blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood. List these potential blessings, and discuss with the students how Abraham and Melchizedek acted to obtain the promised blessings.