Abraham (to be discussed Oct. 2)
1. Read Genesis 17:1-14, with footnotes 4d, 13a. What did the Lord ask of Abram when he was 99 years old? List promises made to Abraham if he remained obedient.
BONUS: Read JST Genesis 17:3-12. What additional insights do we gain from reading this passage, regarding how far the children of Noah had strayed away from true ordinances in Abraham's day?
2. Read Genesis 17:15-27, with footnotes 15a, 17a. What was Sarai's new name? What promises did the Lord make regarding Isaac? Regarding Ishmael?
3. Read Abraham 3:20-28. List all Abraham saw and learned in his interview with the Lord.
4. Read Genesis 19:27-38, with footnotes 31a, 35a. What became of Abraham's nephew, Lot? What nations were descended from Lot?
5. Read Genesis 21:1-21, with footnote 6a, Genesis 25:12-16, and Bible Dictionary entry, "Ishmael." What does the name "Ishmael" mean? Why did Sarah want Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away? What promises were made to Abraham regarding Ishmael?
6. Read Genesis 22:1-14, with footnotes 1a, 7a, 14a,b. In this chapter of Genesis, Abraham and Isaac are both "types" of Christ. Abraham is also a type of God the Father. How did Abraham's actions reflect Christ and the Father? How did Isaac's behavior foreshadow actions of the Savior?
7. Read Genesis 22:15-24. After Abraham had proved his faith and obedience, and had demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice, what blessings did the Lord confirm upon him?
BONUS: Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:29-32 . How can we claim the blessings of Abraham? See also D&C 101:1-5.
Extra Credit: Read Genesis 25:1-10. How many more sons did Abraham have after Sarah died?
Related Articles:
"Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart," Fames E. Faust, April 1998 CR
"Obedience Through our Faithfulness," L. Tom Perry, April 2014 CR
"Ishmael, Our Brother," James B. Mayfield, June 1979 Ensign
"Covenants," Russell M. Nelson, November 2011 Ensign
“Human beings may be saved only by binding themselves to Christ. It is our task to stand straight and tall before our Father, but because of the fall we are broken and twisted. The Savior is our tall and straight splint. If we bind ourselves to Him, wrap strong covenants around us and Him that progressively draw us up into His form and nature, we can become righteous as He is and be saved. But without Him we are nothing. The ‘righteous’ spoken of in the scriptures are those who have bound themselves to Jesus Christ by the promises of the new and everlasting covenant and have kept these promises.”
- Chauncey Riddle, Dean, BYU Graduate School, Chair of the Dept of Philsophy.
