Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 7
Abraham 1: 1-4
Abraham 2: 1-11
Genesis 12: 1-8
Genesis 17: 1-19
Abraham
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The Abrahamic Covenant
Abraham
first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of
salvation).
Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he
entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation),
gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase.
Finally
he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to
all of his mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–50; Abr. 2:6–11).
Included in the divine promises to Abraham were the assurances that
(1) Christ would come through his lineage, and that
These promises taken together are called the “Abrahamic covenant.” It was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4).
The
portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal
increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of
celestial marriage (see D&C 132:29–33).
Those of non-Israelite lineage, commonly known as Gentiles, are adopted
into the house of Israel and become heirs of the covenant and the seed
of Abraham through the ordinances of the gospel (Gal. 3:26–29).
Being
an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a “chosen person”
per se but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly carry the
gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Abraham’s seed have carried out
the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3:9; Abr. 2:9–11.)
To
fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham—having particular reference
to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all
of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2:10–11)—a
number of specific and particular things must take place in the last
days.
*The gospel must be restored
*The priesthood must be conferred
again upon man
*The keys of the sealing power must be given again to
mortals
*Israel must be gathered
*The Holy Ghost must be poured out
upon the Gentiles.
All this has already taken place or is in process of
fulfillment.