Abraham on the Plains of Mamre, by Grant Romney Clawson

Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2: Lesson 23

Genesis 12; 17

The Abrahamic Covenant

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

The Lord established a covenant with Abraham that promised blessings to him, his wife Sarah, and their posterity. It is now known as the Abrahamic covenant. The same promises and blessings are available to us. This lesson can help you explain the Abrahamic covenant and how it relates to you.

Study the Scriptures

Imagine that you are preparing to receive your patriarchal blessing. Your bishop or branch president asks you to give a talk about it. He gives you three questions to base your talk on:

1. What is the Abrahamic covenant?

2. Why does the Abrahamic covenant matter to me?

3. How does a patriarchal blessing relate to the Abrahamic covenant?

As you study, record insights in your notebook or tag passages as “Abrahamic covenant.” At the end of the lesson, you will use these notes and tags to prepare your talk.

Recall that Abraham desired “the blessings of the fathers” and to be a “follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2). The Lord promised to put His name upon Abraham and to give him the priesthood (see Abraham 1:18).

Read Genesis 12:2–3, 7; 17:1–8; Abraham 2:11. Tag the blessings God extended to Abraham, Sarah, and their posterity as “Abrahamic covenant.”

Compare what you found with what President Russell M. Nelson outlined:

The covenant God made with Abraham and later reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance. It contained several promises, including:

• Jesus the Christ would be born through Abraham’s lineage.

• Abraham’s posterity would be numerous, entitled to an eternal increase, and also entitled to bear the priesthood.

• Abraham would become a father of many nations.

• Certain lands would be inherited by his posterity.

• All nations of the earth would be blessed by his seed.

• The covenant would be everlasting—even through “a thousand generations.”

(“Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 87)

As you prepare your talk, think about what these promises teach you about God.

Complete both of the following. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Why does the Abrahamic covenant matter to me?

Read two or more of the following, looking for how the blessings of the covenant extend to you. Continue to record what you find in your notebook or tag what you find as “Abrahamic covenant.”

• Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–38

• Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–22, 30–31

• Abraham 2:9–11

President Russell M. Nelson taught how each of us can also receive these same blessings that God promised Abraham:

When we embrace the gospel and are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Baptism is the gate that leads to becoming joint heirs to all the promises given anciently by the Lord to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their posterity.

… You and I personally entered the covenant path at baptism. Then we enter it more completely in the temple. The blessings of the Abrahamic covenant are conferred in holy temples. These blessings allow us, upon being resurrected, to “inherit thrones, kingdoms, powers, principalities, and dominions, to our ‘exaltation and glory in all things’ [Doctrine and Covenants 132:19].” (“The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 4, 6)

How does a patriarchal blessing relate to the Abrahamic covenant?

Read the following statement, looking for words and phrases that help you see the connection between a patriarchal blessing and the Abrahamic covenant. Record what you find in your notebook or tag it as “Abrahamic covenant.”

Every patriarchal blessing contains a declaration of lineage. When God’s children are baptized and become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they inherit the promises God made to Abraham and his posterity if they remain righteous (see Abraham 2:9–11). While a person may descend through more than one family line from the house of Israel, one specific tribe is normally identified, confirming that the individual has a family connection to Abraham. Whether this declaration means that a person is a literal descendant by blood or through spiritual adoption is not important (see Abraham 2:10). This declaration of lineage shows a family line through which the individual can inherit the promised blessings of Abraham. It also reminds a faithful person of the spiritual responsibilities he or she has as a descendant of Abraham (see Abraham 2:11). (Topics and Questions, “Patriarchal Blessings,” Gospel Library)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Either by literal lineage or adoption, [we are] rightful heir[s] to the promises made by God to Abraham. We are the seed of Abraham. One of the primary reasons we receive a patriarchal blessing is to help us more fully understand who we are as the posterity of Abraham and to recognize the responsibility that rests upon us. (“Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 47)

Now What?

Review the notes and tags you created throughout your study to prepare your talk. Along with the three questions at the start of the lesson, be sure to include the following in your talk:

• In what ways are these promised blessings meaningful to you?

• What do these blessings teach you about God’s feelings for you?

If you feel prompted, contact your bishop or branch president and offer to give your talk.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you explain the Abrahamic covenant and how it relates to you.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• In text, video, or voice, share your talk.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?