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The Abrahamic Covenant(Abraham 2)All the sources attest that [Sarah] was a close relativeperhaps a half-sister (the daughter of his father through another wife) (Gen. 20:12), or perhaps a niece or a cousin. The close kinship with Abraham and the quality of her character suggest the possibility of mutual sympathy and support long before their marriage.

The name Sarai, which God would later alter to Sarah, means princess or possibly queen suggesting royal blood. Was this perhaps a reflection that her bloodline ran through the royal patriarchal line to which Abraham himself was heir? P. 59-61[H]er name was a fitting title for a woman who possessed singular loveliness of both body and soul. Her unequaled physical beauty would turn the heads of the most powerful kings, while she was also gifted with every excellence and great wisdom. It is said that her spiritual attainments matched and in some cases exceeded those of her remarkable husband, she being gifted with profound intuitive

Perception of spiritual realities. A number of sources assert yet another name for herIscah, meaning prophetess or seer. And with all her talents, she had a deep love and compassion for the needy. She was indeed a Princess in name and in nature.P. 59-61Jewish tradition insists that she is the one described in the famous Proverbs passage extolling the virtuous woman (31:10). Her worth is far above rubies, and her husband safely trusts in her; she is an industrious homemaker, a tireless worker, and generous to the poor; she speaks wisdom and kindness, is cheerful and hopeful about the future, and is clothed with strength and splendor; she is, in short,

the ideal wife, deserving of her husbands highest praise. Sarahs example was held up through the generations among her Jewish descendants, in whose homes the Proverbs passage was traditionally recited on the Sabbath eve.P. 59-61Sarah had her work, and Abraham had his, but it was all part of the same cause. From this point on in Abrahams life, to speak of his mission and accomplishments is necessarily to include Sarah also. Abraham and Sara were a part of something larger than either of them. They were a family, they were Zion, and they are to be remembered together, according to Isaiah: the

righteous are to look not only to their father Abraham but also to their mother Sarah (Isa. 51:1-2).P. 59-61

God Covenants with Abraham7Abrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. A land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. A land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Abraham 2:6, 19A land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal Life

Abraham 2:6, 19

Promised LandAbraham and his posterity would inherit the land of Canaan.

The Abrahamic Covenant

Abrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. Abraham 2:9-10A vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbraham 2:9-10; D&C 132:30

Posterityinnumerable descendantslike the sand on the seashore & the stars in the heavens.

The Abrahamic Covenant

Genesis 15

Abrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Abraham 2:11Descendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeAbraham 2:11

Priesthood/Gospelhis posterity would be heirs to all the blessings of the Gospel (ordinances & covenants) available through the priesthood and would in turn take those blessings to all the families of the earth.The Abrahamic Covenant

Abrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Priesthood/Gospel RightsDescendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeInherit Eternal Lifethe end result of gospel covenantsAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Priesthood/Gospel RightsDescendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeInherit Eternal Lifethe end result of gospel covenantsAbrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Priesthood/Gospel RightsDescendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeInherit Eternal Lifethe end result of gospel covenantsHow do we enter into the Abrahamic Covenant today?And so I go to the Salt Lake Temple and marry my wife for time and for all eternity, and so begins a new kingdom of God. And if we are faithful, that marriage exists here and it exists hereafter. And I have been given through that ordinance every promise that Abraham received. It is given on conditional basis. We must be true and faithful and keep the covenant that we make in the temple, but if we are faithful, we will receive the blessings.

Bruce R. McConkieQuorum of the Twelve("The Promises Made To The Fathers," in Studies in Scripture: Vol. Three The Old Testament, p. 61)The crowning blessings of the gospel are received in temples.... It is in these holy houses that faithful couples enter into the ordinance of celestial marriage through which they become parties to the Abrahamic covenant, the covenant of eternal increase, the covenant that in them and in their seed all generations shall be blessed.

Bruce R. McConkieQuorum of the Twelve(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.539)Kingdoms, Thrones, Principalities(Promised Land)

Powers, Dominions(Priesthood)Continuation of Seed forever and ever(Posterity)Gather IsraelD&C 132:19Abrahamic Covenant ImplicationsPromised Land: Freedom to Worship29Promised Land: a Modern Case Study

The Freiberg Germany Temple1955-1957. GDR Saints allowed to Go to Switzerland Temple. 1985. First temple to be built and dedicated in a communist country.

1990. The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was reunited with the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).

Following diligent efforts by the Church to obtain permission for its faithful couples to attend the Bern Switzerland Temple, the government asked if it might consider building a temple in East Germany. The Church gratefully accepted the invitation and built the Freiberg Germany Temple.

30May 1996. Hong Kong China Temple was dedicated while Hong Kong was under British rule.

July 1997. The sovereignty of Hong Kong is transferred to China.

Hong Kong China TempleLets do it again!Abrahamic Covenant ImplicationsThe Rights of Your Posterity to Gospel Blessings32Now I would ask who knows the seal of the living God? Behold the ignorance of the World!A measure of this sealing is to confirm upon their head, in common with Elijah, the doctrine of election or the covenant with Abrahamwhich,when a Father & mother of a family have entered into, their childrenwho have not transgressedare secured by the seal wherewith the Parents have been sealed. And this is the Oath of God unto our Father Abraham and this doctrine shall stand forever.

Joseph SmithPresident(The Words of Joseph Smith, p.241)We read the statement by the Prophet Joseph and OrsonF. Whitney and the elaborations by President Packer about the tentacles that will reach out to wayward children. Some parents, I believe, over interpret that to mean that if Im faithful to my temple covenants, then my children will be okay.

David A. BednarQuorum of the Twelve(S&I Broadcast , 2 Aug. 2011)

Well, that cant be right. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, not for Adams transgressions, and therefore you cant be saved through the faithfulness of your parents. But the tentacles that reach out because of the faithfulness of parents in honoring temple covenants exert a spiritual pull and a tug on those wayward children.

David A. BednarQuorum of the Twelve(S&I Broadcast , 2 Aug. 2011)Abrahamic Covenant SummaryThe Overarching CovenantI WILL BE YOUR GOD; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE(Abr. 1:17-19; Gen. 17:7-8; Isaiah 41:8-10; D&C 132:28-33, 47-50)Covenant ElementMortal PromiseEternal Promise1. Promised LandA land of inheritance to gather to and to worship God freelyInherit the Earth in its Celestial state2. PosterityA vast posterity A noble posterity who will bless all the families of the earth with the blessings of the GospelInnumerable posterity; eternal procreation; endless lives3. Priesthood/Gospel RightsDescendants have a right to all gospel blessings, through the priesthood ordinances, which lead to Eternal LifeInherit Eternal Lifethe end result of gospel covenantsEnd41028.805