Lesson 27

Genesis 15–17

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that the way you choose to participate in this lesson influences how you will be taught by the Holy Ghost as you study. Determine now to demonstrate your desire to be taught by the Spirit by actively participating in this lesson.

Begin your study with prayer.

When we have questions and struggle with problems, we often desire immediate answers and solutions. But more often than not, we must wait for the desires of our hearts to be fulfilled. In these moments, we may be tempted to give up hope.

When you seek heaven’s help, consider this encouragement from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It may be helpful to know that the word respite means a rest or relief from a difficulty or trial. You can see the text for this video here: “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36, 38.

Something to Ponder—Are You Worried about Your Future?

1. What concerns or worries do you have about your future?

Abram’s Worry

At the beginning of Genesis 15, we read that Abram was worried about his future. As you study Genesis 15–17 today, look for truths that can help you overcome your worries about the future.

You may remember from a previous lesson that earlier in Abram’s life, the Lord had promised him that his posterity would be as numerous as the “dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16).

Read Genesis 15:1–5, looking for what Abram was worried about and how the Lord responded to his concern.

Abram’s Concern and What He Learned

Abram was concerned because he was childless and wondered if Eliezer, the servant who was in charge of Abram’s house, would become his heir. Abram was also concerned about the land that the Lord had promised to him and his posterity. The Joseph Smith Translation shows how the Lord addressed this concern.

Read Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 15:9–12 in the Bible appendix, looking for what Abram learned. It may be helpful to know that the phrase “Son of Man” is a title for Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Promises

According to Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 15:11, the Lord told Abram that even if he were to die, He would be able to keep His promise because of the Savior’s Resurrection. Abram would live again after his mortal life, and the promised blessings would be his whether in mortality or eternity.

Read verse 12 and notice how Abram responded when he understood this explanation.

In your own words, what principle can we learn from Abram’s experience with the Lord’s promises?

Promises to You

One principle we can learn from Genesis 15:1–5 and Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 15:9–12 is when we believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us, whether in mortality or eternity, our souls can find peace. You can find some of the promises the Lord has made to you in your patriarchal blessing, the scriptures, general conference talks, and the For the Strength of Youth booklet.

2. Answer one of the following questions:

• Why does knowing this principle give you peace when you consider your future?

• When has the Lord fulfilled a promise in your life? Please share the experience and how you felt as a result.

The Power of Promises

In Genesis 15:9–18 we read that the Lord assured Abram that his seed would be given a land of inheritance, even though they would be “a stranger in a land that is not theirs” for a period of 400 years (see verse 13). This was referring to the Israelites’ captivity to the Egyptians.

The Lord keeps His promises whether in mortality or in eternity, just as He did with Abram. Trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you as you continue to be faithful.

God’s Commandment to Abram

Genesis 16:1–3 records that Sarai could not have any children, so she gave her handmaid Hagar to Abram as a plural wife. Hagar gave birth to a son named Ishmael. From latter-day revelation we understand that this was a commandment from God that Abram and Sarai obeyed (see D&C 132:34), thus fulfilling the Lord’s promise that Abram would have children.

At certain times, the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. Plural marriage was practiced by Abram and Sarai and by their grandson Jacob, and it was practiced for a time during the early days of the restored Church, beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Read Genesis 17:1–2, looking for what the Lord commanded Abram to do and to be.

A Reminder

The commandment to be perfect in Genesis 17:1 refers to becoming like Heavenly Father. This is an ongoing process that will extend beyond this life and can be accomplished only by relying on Jesus Christ’s power and through diligent efforts to live His gospel.

Read Genesis 17:4–5, 15–16, looking for what the Lord did to remind Abram and Sarai of the covenant and the promised blessings.

Quiz 1

1. What did the Lord do in Genesis 17:4–5, 15–16 to remind Abram and Sarai of His covenant with them?

   1. He commanded them to wear different clothing.

   2. He asked them to move to a distant, strange, and unfamiliar land.

   3. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

The Names of Abraham

In Hebrew the name Abram means “exalted father” and Abraham means “father of a multitude” (see Bible Dictionary, “Abraham”). Both names refer to Abraham’s potential to become an exalted being, like God. You may want to write the meaning of these names in your class notebook or study journal.

Read Genesis 17:6–7 and Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:11–12 (in the Bible appendix). Look for what the Lord promised Abraham and his posterity.

How do these promises relate to the meanings of Abraham’s names?

The Abrahamic Covenant

All those who make and keep covenants to obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel are considered Abraham’s seed or posterity and can receive all of the spiritual blessings the Lord promised Abraham (see True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 5). To receive these spiritual blessings, we need to fulfill the same responsibilities as Abraham. This begins with baptism and includes each of the saving ordinances of the gospel. It is important to remember that as we make and keep covenants with the Lord, we become heirs to the responsibilities and blessings given to Abraham.

What blessings are available to us because of the Abrahamic covenant? Consider the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson.

What blessings are available to us because of the Abrahamic covenant? Consider the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson.

You can see text for this video here: “Special Witnesses of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2001, 7.

“The ultimate blessings of the Abrahamic covenant are conferred in holy temples. These blessings allow us to come forth in the First Resurrection and inherit thrones, kingdoms, powers, principalities, and dominions, to our ‘exaltation and glory in all things’ (D&C 132:19)” (Russell M. Nelson, in “Special Witnesses of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2001, 7).

3. What blessings are available to us because of the Abrahamic covenant?

Blessings for Families

The Abrahamic covenant includes the Lord’s promise to bless families as they make and keep covenants with Him.

4. Please answer one of the following questions:

• In what ways can your decision to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord bless your future children?

• In what ways have you seen the lives of children affected because their parents have made and kept covenants?

An Invitation to Prepare Now

Think of how you will keep the covenants you have made at baptism and how you will prepare now to make covenants available only in the temple.

An Additional Promise

In Genesis 17:9–14, 23–27 we read that as a token or reminder of the covenant God made with Abraham, He commanded that Abraham and all male members of his household be circumcised. This symbol would act as a reminder of the responsibilities and blessings of the Abrahamic covenant (see Bible Dictionary, “Circumcision”). Circumcision as a token of the Abrahamic covenant was no longer required after Jesus Christ’s mortal ministry (see Moroni 8:8).

Read Genesis 17:19–21, looking for what else the Lord promised Abraham.

Identified Truths about Keeping Our Covenants

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• When we believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us, whether in mortality or eternity, our souls can find peace.

• As we make and keep covenants with the Lord, we become heirs to the responsibilities and blessings given to Abraham.

Choose at least one thing you can do to more fully keep the covenants you have made with God.

Doctrinal Mastery Review: Abraham 3:22–23

Take time to review Abraham 3:22–23. According to what we learn from this passage, which of the following statements are true and which ones are false?

Quiz 2

1. God showed Abraham only things that were organized after the Creation.

   1. True

   2. False

2. God prepared Abraham in the premortal world so he could do great things here on the earth.

   1. True

   2. False

3. There were only a few people whom God called His “noble and great ones.”

   1. True

   2. False

4. You lived in the presence of God as one of His spirit children before you were born.

   1. True

   2. False

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) c

Quiz 2: (1) b; (2) a; (3) b; (4) a