Jehovah Makes Covenants with Abraham “Lesson 9: Jehovah Makes Covenants with Abraham,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),35

This is something that once belonged to my… … Grandfather. Does your family have something special that has been passed down from a grandparent or other relative?

I inherited from my mother... … the ability to raise one eyebrow. From my father, I inherited my nose. What are some of the traits you have inherited? When we think about inheritances, we usually think about things such as possessions or objects.

What is an “heir”? An heir is anyone who inherits an item, property, or a character trait from a parent or ancestor. In this lesson we will learn about the great blessings we are heirs to through our ancestor, the prophet Abraham.

The Story of Abraham Abraham was a righteous man. He lived in the city of Ur. Sarah was Abraham’s wife. They had no children. Other people in Ur prayed to idols. They did not obey God. They killed some righteous people. They tried to kill Abraham. He was saved by an angel.

Abraham prayed. God said he would bless Abraham and his family Abraham prayed. God said he would bless Abraham and his family. God would send a famine to the wicked people. There would be no food. God told Abraham and Sarah to leave Ur. He would lead them to the promised land. They obeyed God. God sent the famine. There was no food.

Abraham and Sarah traveled to find food Abraham and Sarah traveled to find food. There was food in the land of Egypt. Abraham and Sarah went to Egypt. The king of Egypt liked them. He gave them many gifts and animals. They became rich.

Later Abraham and Sarah left Egypt. They took their animals with them Later Abraham and Sarah left Egypt. They took their animals with them. They traveled a long time. At last they came to the promised land. God told Abraham to look at the land. God gave him the land. Many years passed. There were wars in the land. Abraham took his servants to fight. They won the war.

After the war Abraham met Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a righteous king. He had the priesthood. He blessed Abraham. Abraham paid his tithing to Melchizedek. God said Abraham’s family would be large. His family would have the priesthood. His family could have the promised land.

Abraham and Sarah were sad because they had no children. Later God said Abraham and Sarah would have a son. His name would be Isaac. He would serve God and obey his commandments. Sarah was ninety years old. She was too old to have a baby. But God said Sarah would have a baby. Sarah had a baby boy named Isaac.

Abraham wanted to be righteous and receive the blessings of happiness and peace. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, the Lord made a covenant with him. This covenant gave Abraham the right to receive the priesthood with its accompanying blessings and responsibilities. Abraham was promised that he would have numerous descendants, who would inherit these same priesthood blessings if they lived faithfully. We are Abraham’s descendants and have the responsibility to take the gospel and the priesthood to all nations and people of the earth.

Let’s read: How did Abraham’s father and the people of Ur of Chaldea worship? How had Abraham tried to help them? What were the desires of Abraham’s heart? What blessings are appropriate for you to seek? Heavenly Father has many blessings in store for each of us. He has told us to ask for them and then to live worthy to receive them. Abraham 1:5–7 Abraham 1:5 Abraham 1:2, 4

Let’s read: What happened to three young women who refused to worship idols? Even though they lost their lives, they will be blessed eternally for their righteousness. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. In what ways is it challenging to live righteously today? How was Abraham’s life saved? Abraham 1:11 Abraham 1:15–16

Look at this drawing from the book of Abraham… Who do the figures in the drawing represent? Let’s look at the drawing in the book of Abraham. Let’s read Abraham 1:12–14. Enrichment Activity 2

How are these two pictures similar? Enrichment Activity 2

Let’s read: How did the Lord help Abraham as he left Ur? Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, the Lord made a covenant (a sacred, two-way promise) with him. What did the Lord promise Abraham if he remained faithful? Abraham 1:18, 20 Abraham 2:8–11

Let’s take turns reading scripture promises made to Abraham: His name would be great among all nations. All who accept the gospel through baptism would be known as Abraham’s descendants. The Lord would bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who cursed Abraham. His descendants would have the priesthood. Enrichment Activity 1

Let’s take turns reading scripture promises made to Abraham: Genesis 22:17 His seed would have the responsibility to be missionaries and take the gospel to all nations. Abraham and his descendants would be given the land of Canaan. The Lord would multiply Abraham’s seed greatly (Abraham would have many descendants). Enrichment Activity 1

When will all these promises to Abraham be fulfilled? Abraham had to wait many years before the blessings came, and the promises are still being fulfilled today. Even though he had to wait a long time, Abraham continued to have faith and be obedient. He knew the Lord’s promises are certain but that blessings do not always come immediately nor always in the way that we expect. Sometimes our blessings are spiritual and come to us in the eternities rather than during this earth life. Let’s read Hebrews 11:13

Let’s read: Everyone who accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ receives the right to inherit the blessings of Abraham. What are these blessings? Priesthood Baptism The gift of the Holy Ghost The temple endowment Temple marriage Through these priesthood blessings we can attain exaltation, become like God, and live with our families eternally. Galatians 3:29 Abraham 2:11

Let’s read: Abraham 2:9 What is our responsibility as God’s covenant people? Have faith, keep our baptismal covenants, help take the gospel to all the people of the world, and so forth.

The Fifth Article of Faith We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Who should be missionaries? What should missionaries do? President Spencer W. Kimball’s said: “Every man, woman, and child—every young person and every little boy and girl—should serve a mission. This does not mean that they must serve abroad or even be formally called and set apart as full-time missionaries. But it does mean that each of us is responsible to bear witness of the gospel truths that we have been given. We all have relatives, neighbors, friends, and fellow workmen, and it is our responsibility to pass the truths of the gospel on to them, by example as well as by precept” (“It Becometh Every Man,” Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 3). Enrichment Activity 5

What are some ways you can be missionaries now? Some ideas are being a good friend, inviting someone to church, setting a good example in the home and community, and explaining the teachings of the Church to others. Enrichment Activity 5

Let’s role –play some of these ideas! How can we be missionaries in each instance? Enrichment Activity 5

Called to Serve 1. Called to serve Him, heav’nly King of glory, Chosen e’er to witness for his name, Far and wide we tell the Father’s story, Far and wide his love proclaim. 2. Called to know the richness of his blessing— Sons and daughters, children of a King— Glad of heart, his holy name confessing, Praises unto him we bring. Chorus Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name; Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name; Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing. God our strength will be; press forward ever, Called to serve our King. Words: Grace Gordon, alt. Music: Adam Geibel, 1855–1933 Enrichment Activity 5

T A E N O N V C Let’s unscramble this word to solve what it is! Enrichment Activity 4

T A E N O N V C One important part of honoring our covenants is sharing the gospel with others. Enrichment Activity 4

Keeping your baptismal covenants What can you do now to prepare to share the gospel on full-time missions when you are older? Keeping your baptismal covenants Learning the gospel through studying the scriptures Listening in family home evening and Church meetings Living clean lives in thought, language, and deed Saving money Discuss with your parents ways you can be missionaries now and ways you can prepare to be full-time missionaries later. Enrichment Activity 4

Because we are God’s covenant people, we have the privilege and responsibility of honoring the priesthood and sharing the gospel with all people so that they can receive the blessings of Abraham.

Clipart and Images from lds.org, sugardoodle.net and Microsoft Office. Music from lds.org. The Story of Abraham is from Old Testament Scripture Stories on lds.org. No copyrighted images were knowingly used in this presentation.