Abraham 2:1–13

The Abrahamic Covenant

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Abraham and his family left Ur to travel to the land of Canaan. Along the way they stopped to live for a time in the land of Haran. The Lord appeared to Abraham in Haran and promised him that the land of Canaan would be an everlasting possession for Abraham and his descendants (see Abraham 2:1–8; see also Genesis 11:27–32; 12:1–5; 15:18–21; Acts 7:2–5; Abraham 1:16).
The Lord sometimes uses nature or natural calamities to teach and test us (see Abraham 2:1, 5; see also Genesis 47:13–20; 50:18–21; 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1–2; Helaman 11:3–18; Abraham 1:29–30).
The Lord promised Abraham that his descendants would take the priesthood and the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the nations of the earth (see Abraham 2:9–11; see also Genesis 12:2–3; 2 Nephi 29:14; D&C 27:10).
All those who receive the ordinances and live the gospel of Jesus Christ receive the same promises that the Lord gave to Abraham. They will be called Abraham’s seed (posterity), and will receive eternal life (see Abraham 2:10–11; see also Galatians 3:6–9, 14, 26–29; D&C 84:33–34; 132:29–32).

Suggestions for Teaching

Video presentation—“Abraham”

You may want to show the video “Abraham” (0:58) to help students understand the context of the Abrahamic covenant. This video is available on LDS.org.

Abraham 2. Overview

Ask students what they think they would do if a prolonged food shortage occurred in their area. You may want to invite students to search Abraham 1:29–2:21 for the word famine. You may also want to suggest that students mark this word in their scriptures. Ask students to explain how each famine in these verses influenced Abraham and his family (see also Alma 32:13–16; Helaman 12:3–5). Invite students to share about adversity or other circumstances in their lives or in the lives of others that have helped them remember the Lord.

Abraham 2:6–8, 12–20. “And the Lord Appeared”

Ask a few students to take turns reading aloud about the two appearances of the Lord to Abraham, in Abraham 2:6–8, 12–20. Invite students to share what gospel doctrines and principles they learn from these experiences of Abraham (for example, Abraham 2:6 teaches about the Lord’s desire for us to take the gospel message to others).

Abraham 2:6, 9–11. Promise of the Abrahamic Covenant

Consider dividing the class into four small groups of students and discussing the promised blessings in the Abrahamic covenant (land, posterity, priesthood and the gospel, and salvation or eternal life; see also the commentary under “Abraham 2:6, 9–11. The Abrahamic Covenant” in the student manual). Invite each group to discover answers to the following questions and share their findings with the class:

When and how were each of these promised blessings restored to the Church in the dispensation of the fulness of times?
What can each of these promised blessings mean to me personally? What can I do to qualify for them?

Video presentation—“The Abrahamic Covenant”

You may want to show the video “The Abrahamic Covenant” (1:07) to help students understand the significance of the Abrahamic covenant in our day. This video is available at www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-09-9070-the-abrahamic-covenant.

Abraham 2:9–11. The Abrahamic Covenant

Ask a student to read Abraham 2:9–11 aloud, while the rest of the class follows along and lists the principles these verses teach about faithful members of the Church (see also the commentary under “Abraham 2:10. Abraham’s Seed” in the student manual). Ask students which items on the list are blessings the Lord has promised them and which are responsibilities He has given them. Invite students to share about blessings they have received that are on the list. How have you fulfilled the responsibilities we listed?

Abraham 2:12–14. “Now I Have Found Thee”

Invite a few students to take turns reading Abraham 1:2, 4, 15; 2:3–6, 12 aloud. Discuss phrases that show Abraham sought the Lord “earnestly.” What does a person do who is earnestly seeking the Lord? Compare Abraham’s thoughts and actions in Abraham 2:13–14 to the thoughts and actions of today’s righteous Church members.