Seminaries and Institutes
Abraham 1: Abraham Desires the Priesthood

“Abraham 1: Abraham Desires the Priesthood,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 22

“Abraham 1,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 22

Abraham 1

Abraham Desires the Priesthood

Can people be righteous if they live in homes where righteousness is not encouraged or where they are persecuted by their own parents for being righteous? If so, what would those people have to do to overcome wicked influences? The great prophet Abraham, called the “Friend of God” (James 2:23), grew up in that very situation. During his lifetime he overcame the challenges he faced in his youth and was such a model of righteousness that God promised him that all who accept the true gospel would be called his children and that Jesus Christ would be born as one of his descendants. As you read about Abraham in the next few chapters of Abraham and Genesis, look for what he did to overcome his challenges and become one of the greatest prophets in history.

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Abraham 1.

  1. What Blessings Do You Seek?

    1. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 26; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 21). Read Abraham 1:2–4 and list the blessings Abraham “sought for” and “desired.” You may also want to highlight them in your scriptures.

    2. Choose something from this list that you also desire or seek, and explain why. You should notice that at the end of verse 2 we learn that Abraham did obtain what he sought. His life modeled how you can obtain the same blessings he sought.

  2. Why Are the Righteous Persecuted?

    1. Identify the reasons the three virgins and Abraham were persecuted, and compare those reasons to ways you think righteous people are sometimes persecuted.

    2. Explain why you think it is worthwhile to live righteously even if you will be persecuted.

  3. Write Verses in Your Own Words

    Write Abraham 1:18–19 in your own words, identifying what the Lord promised Abraham as well as the responsibilities Abraham received.