In the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received three sets of keys from three heavenly messengers:
- Moses delivered the keys of the gathering of Israel.
- Elias conferred the keys of the gospel of Abraham.
- Elijah committed the sealing power.
(See Doctrine and Covenants 110:11-16.)
What is the gospel of Abraham?
Abraham grew up in an idolatrous city and an idolatrous family. Somehow, he became attuned to blessings his ancestors had received through obedience to God’s commandments, and he wanted the same (Abraham 1:1-5). After he obeyed the Lord’s instruction to leave his homeland, God gave him far-reaching promises, including land, posterity, and global impact (Genesis 12:1-3; Abraham 2:6-11). Subsequent prophets emphasized in particular the final promise: “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18; see also Genesis 12:3; 26:4; 28:14; Abraham 2:11).
The apostle Paul described this promise using the word gospel (which means “good news”):
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Galatians 3:8
Paul saw in this promise a prophecy that the blessings God had promised to Abraham would be made available to all of God’s children:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:28-29
President Russell M. Nelson understood this promise in the same way. He explained that the keys of the gospel of Abraham enable God’s representatives “to bless all covenant children with the blessings of Abraham.” Then, he added:
The gospel of Abraham is … evidence that God loves all of His children everywhere. He invites all to come unto Him—“black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.”
“Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” April 2024 general conference, italics in original
During the Savior’s ministry on the American continent, He spoke much about the gathering of Israel, which He couched in universal terms. He extended this challenge and explanation to His listeners:
Ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant—
And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles,
3 Nephi 20:25-27
This passage is reminiscent of the Savior’s admonition to Peter at the Last Supper: “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). He seems to be saying: Once you have grasped your spiritual heritage, once you have understood and embraced your covenant identity, then go and do what I promised Abraham you would do: Go bless everyone!
Today, I will remember God’s promise to bless all of His children through the seed of Abraham. I will remember that the keys of the gospel of Abraham are on the earth, enabling everyone to receive the promises Abraham received.
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