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Abrahamic Covenant

Abraham made covenants with God when he received the gospel, when he was ordained a high priest, and when he entered into celestial marriage. In these covenants, God promised great blessings to Abraham and his family. These blessings, which extend to all of Abraham's seed, are called the Abrahamic covenant.

Additional Information

Among the promises made to Abraham were the following:

  • His posterity would be numerous (see Genesis 17:5–6; Abraham 2:9; 3:14).
  • His seed, or descendants, would receive the gospel and bear the priesthood (see Abraham 2:9).
  • Through the ministry of his seed, "all the families of the earth [would] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal" (Abraham 2:11).

A person can receive all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant—even if he or she is not a literal descendant of Abraham—by obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospelĀ (see Galatians 3:26–29; 4:1–7; D&C 84:33–40).

See also Covenant; Eternal Life; Ordinances; Patriarchal Blessings; Priesthood

—See True to the Faith (2004), 5–6

Church Magazine Articles

  • "The Exodus Repeated"

    Russell M. Nelson, Liahona, Apr. 2002, 30–39; or Ensign, July 1999, 6–13
    Although certain aspects of the Abrahamic covenant have already been fulfilled, many have not. The Book of Mormon teaches that we of modern Israel are among the covenant people of the Lord.

  • "The Abrahamic Covenant"

    S. Michael Wilcox, Ensign, Jan. 1998, 42–48
    Through his covenant with Abraham, the Lord has promised to bless all the faithful with truth, priesthood ordinances, exaltation, and eternal increase.

  • "Of Compasses and Covenants"

    Lance B. Wickman, Ensign, June 1996, 37–43
    The Book of Mormon provides keen insight into the operation of the Abrahamic covenant as it relates to all of Abraham's children.

  • "Children of the Covenant"

    Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1995, 32–35
    The covenant that the Lord first made to Abraham and reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance.

  • "The Abrahamic Covenant: A Blessing for All People"

    Kent P. Jackson, Tambuli,Feb. 1994, 42–47; or Ensign, Feb. 1990, 50–53
    We are heirs to the gospel and the priesthood because of the covenant God made with Abraham.

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