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Faith

Abraham, Tent-Dweller

Abraham lived in a tent, even though he was in the promised land. The author of Hebrews explained that he lived in a tent because he was looking forward to a permanent home that only God could provide. The tent indicated that he was rooted in God’s promises, not in his current circumstances.

Hope

Unto a Land That I Will Shew Thee

God consistently invited Abraham to find hope by visualizing a prosperous future. Lehi similarly encouraged his family by focusing on their destination, not on what they had left behind. Discouragement looks backward, but hope faces forward. We make wiser decisions when we pursue meaningful goals instead of merely reacting to unpleasant circumstances.

Covenants

Go, Look, Believe: Trusting God’s Promises

The Abrahamic covenant is remarkably asymmetrical. God makes extraordinary promises and invites Abraham to take simple actions that enable him to recognize and receive those blessings. The Title Page of the Book of Mormon echoes that pattern, referring to covenants as evidence of belonging and blessings received as proof that God fulfills His promises.

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COME, FOLLOW ME

  • To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness

    Melchizedek Blesses Abram, by Walter Rane

    The story of Abraham is the story of a covenant—a relationship between God and humanity which evolved and grew as Abram experienced more of life and continued to reach upward.

    This week, we will study events from Abraham’s life from age 75 through 89, including his sojourn in Egypt, the battle to rescue his nephew Lot, and the birth of his son, Ishmael. But all of these stories form the backdrop to a series of conversations in which God offers expansive promises to Abraham and helps him understand them. Here is a diagram illustrating the recurring and central nature of these divine covenant conversations (blue signifies an event, yellow a conversation between Abraham and God):

    The Abrahamic covenant has been traditionally explained in contractual terms, often with alliterative blessings such as property, posterity, and priesthood. But the Genesis account describes something more personal. God has immeasurable blessings in store for Abraham which He gradually reveals as Abraham becomes more capable of understanding. Those promises also test Abraham’s faith as the challenges of daily life accumulate. But God continually reminds Abraham that His perspective is far greater than Abraham’s:

    And [God] brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

    And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

    Genesis 15:5-6

    This week, as we study Genesis 12-16 and Abraham 1-2, let’s learn from Abraham how we can deepen our relationship with God and our appreciation for His precious promises.

FEATURED POSTS

  • A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

  • Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

  • Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.