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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 8: February 16 - 22: "To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness"

Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • Despite his family’s idolatry and attempts on his life, Abraham sought greater knowledge, priesthood, and blessings. This shows that our desires shape our destiny, and God responds when we truly seek Him. (Abraham 1:2)

When Abraham acted on his desire, God delivered him and made him a prophet. This teaches that God will empower us when we act faithfully on our righteous intentions.(Abraham 1:15–19)

These promises were not limited to Abraham’s lifetime but extended to his descendants and to all who accept the gospel. This underscores the eternal reach of covenant blessings. (Genesis 12:1–3; Abraham 2:9–11)

Conversion and covenant-keeping connect us directly to Abraham’s promises. Thus, the Abrahamic covenant is not just history but a living reality in our discipleship today.(Galatians 3:26–29; Doctrine and Covenants 132:30–32)

  • These accounts show that God listens to those who turn to Him, even in desperate circumstances. His awareness extends to all His children, no matter their station. (Abraham 1:15–16; Genesis 16:7–11)

Just as Abraham was guided step by step into new lands and covenants, we too can rely on Christ’s guidance in uncertain or challenging paths. His leadership brings security and peace. (Abraham 1:18; 2:8)

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • Abraham lived in the ancient Near East during a time when idolatry was widespread, including in his own family. The land of Ur and Haran were centers of commerce and polytheistic worship, where human sacrifice was sometimes practiced.

Despite his father’s involvement in idolatry and even attempting to offer Abraham as a sacrifice (Abraham 1:7–12), Abraham sought after the blessings of the priesthood and desired to follow righteousness. God intervened, delivered him, and made covenants with him that would bless the entire world.

  • This shows that Abraham’s faith was not shaped by ideal circumstances but by his determination to follow God despite great opposition. It also demonstrates God’s willingness to reach down into difficult settings to raise up prophets and make eternal covenants.
  • No matter our family background or cultural environment, we can choose righteousness and receive God’s blessings. Like Abraham, our desires and choices can change the trajectory of our lives and influence generations.
  • Abraham’s desires went beyond escaping sin; he longed for priesthood power, knowledge, and greater faithfulness. His life shows that God honors holy desires with guidance, deliverance, and eternal promises.(Abraham 1:2)

     

  • Elder Neil L. Andersen taught that while family and culture influence us, our inner desires ultimately shape our choices. Abraham’s example affirms that we can rise above negative influences.
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  • Desires become actions, and actions shape destiny. Abraham’s righteous desires led to his deliverance, covenant blessings, and his title as “the Friend of God.”
  • The promises of land, posterity, and blessing are both temporal and eternal. Through conversion and temple covenants, disciples today are adopted into Abraham’s family and inherit the same blessings. (Abraham 2:9–11)

     

  • Paul explained that “if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). This means the covenant’s reach is spiritual as well as genealogical.
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  • Understanding our place in the covenant gives us identity and purpose. Just as Abraham was called to “be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2), we too are called to share the gospel and extend covenant blessings to others.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Joseph invented the Book of Abraham without any real ancient basis.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Ancient texts outside the Bible (such as the Book of Jubilees and pseudepigraphal writings) confirm details about Abraham’s struggles with idolatry and his pursuit of priesthood blessings — details Joseph Smith included that were not in Genesis.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Early Latter-day Saints testified that Joseph translated the Book of Abraham by the gift and power of God, and they saw him work with the papyri consistently with his prophetic role.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit testifies of the Book of Abraham’s divine origin, giving readers peace and clarity about Abraham’s life and mission. Many gain witness of its truth through study and prayer.
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  10. Logical Analysis: The doctrinal richness in Abraham (e.g., premortal existence, covenant promises) is far beyond Joseph’s education level. Its harmony with restored truths suggests revelation, not fabrication.
  • Claim: “Promises about land and posterity don’t apply to modern people.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: From ancient times, the Abrahamic covenant was understood as extending beyond Abraham’s immediate family (Genesis 12:3). Paul reiterated that all followers of Christ are heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:29).
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  • Eyewitness Support: Modern prophets have taught repeatedly that the covenant continues today (e.g., President Nelson’s emphasis on gathering Israel as the greatest cause of our time).
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Covenants we make in baptism and the temple carry the Spirit’s assurance that God’s promises are alive and personal for us.
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  • Logical Analysis: If God is eternal and unchanging, His covenants must also continue. What began with Abraham is ongoing, because God’s plan is to bless “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3).
  • Claim: “A prophet from such a background could not be chosen by God.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Many prophets in scripture came from difficult or imperfect family backgrounds (Gideon, Jeremiah, even Joseph Smith). Abraham’s story aligns with this consistent scriptural theme.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Abraham himself testified in Abraham 1:2 that his desires for righteousness defined him, not his family’s choices. His deliverance by God is evidence of divine selection despite his background.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit confirms that God sees beyond ancestry or environment and honors individual faith and desire for righteousness. Many today feel God’s assurance despite family struggles.
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  • Logical Analysis: If God only called prophets from perfect families, none would qualify. Abraham’s background highlights God’s mercy and His ability to transform lives, making the account more credible, not less.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Reflect on one personal desire and ask, “Does this draw me closer to Christ?” If not, commit to reorient it toward righteousness.

Abraham desired “to be a greater follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2), and God magnified that desire into blessings for generations. Our righteous desires, expressed in prayer and action, open us to God’s guidance and power.

  1. – Write down one dominant desire you currently have.
  2. – Compare it with Abraham’s desire in Abraham 1:2.
  3. – Pray for God’s help to refine your desires.
  4. – Take one action that reflects this improved desire.

Encouraging Thought:

Elder Neil L. Andersen taught, “Eventually, our inner desires are given life and they are seen in our choices and in our actions.”

Action Step: Review one covenant you’ve made (baptism, sacrament, or temple) and identify a specific way to live it more fully this week.

God promised Abraham an eternal covenant that extends to us (Abraham 2:9–11). When we live our covenants, we gain access to divine strength and protection beyond our own capacity.

  1. – Select one covenant you’ve made.
  2. – Read a scripture connected to that covenant (e.g., Mosiah 18:8–10 for baptism).
  3. – Identify one action that shows faithfulness to it.
  4. – Record experiences where you feel God’s power helping you.

Encouraging Thought:

Elder Dale G. Renlund taught, “When we strive to keep our covenants, God endows us with His power.”

  • Action Step: Choose one long-term prayer or hope in your life and reaffirm your trust in God’s promises through scripture study and prayer.

Abraham and Sarah waited years for the promised child (Genesis 15:1–6; Hebrews 11:8–13). Their faith shows that God’s promises are sure, even when their fulfillment feels “afar off.”

  1. – Identify one area of your life where you’re waiting for God’s blessing.
  2. – Read Hebrews 11:8–13 and reflect on Abraham and Sarah’s faith.
  3. – Pray specifically to trust God’s timing.
  4. – Keep a gratitude list of ways God is already sustaining you.

Encouraging Thought:

  • God’s promises may seem delayed, but they are never denied when we remain faithful.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Learners will see how righteous desires shape choices and invite God’s power.

Paper, pens, board/markers.

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask learners to quietly write down one desire that drives much of their daily decisions (e.g., success, friendship, peace). Invite a few to share.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Abraham 1:2. Discuss how Abraham’s desire differed from worldly desires and how God responded to it. Connect to Elder Andersen’s teaching on educating desires.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to rewrite their written desire in a way that aligns more with Abraham’s example (e.g., “to be a greater follower of righteousness” in their own words).

Follow-Up Question: How can we let God refine our desires so they lead to blessings for us and for others?

Objective: Learners will understand the Abrahamic covenant and its personal application.

Small container of sand or picture of stars in the night sky.

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Pass around a handful of sand or show a picture of a starry sky. Ask: “What does this make you think of when it comes to promises and numbers?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Genesis 15:5 and Abraham 2:9–11. Discuss God’s promises to Abraham and how those promises extend to us through baptism and temple covenants.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to name one way they have already seen God’s covenant blessings in their lives. Write these on the board as a “covenant blessings list.”

Follow-Up Question: How does knowing you are part of Abraham’s covenant family influence the way you live daily?

Objective: Learners will recognize that Jesus Christ personally guides covenant disciples.

Blindfold or simple scarf.

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Blindfold one learner and gently guide them by the hand across the room. Ask: “How did it feel to be led without knowing the path?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Abraham 1:18 and 2:8. Discuss what it means that Christ promises to “lead us by the hand.”

Application (5 min): Have learners share an experience when they felt Christ’s guidance in a decision or trial. Encourage them to write down one area where they need to trust His leading now.

Follow-Up Question: In what ways can we better recognize and follow the Savior’s hand guiding us today?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • Abraham’s righteous desires shaped his destiny, showing that God honors sincere hearts (Abraham 1:2).

     

  • God’s covenant with Abraham extends to all who accept the gospel and keep covenants (Abraham 2:9–11).

     

  • Covenant symbols (like stars and sand) illustrate God’s promises of posterity, inheritance, and eternal blessings (Genesis 15:5).

     

  • God hears His children’s prayers, as shown in Abraham’s deliverance and Hagar’s experience (Abraham 1:15–16; Genesis 16:7–11).

     

  • Jesus Christ promises to guide His covenant people “by the hand” (Abraham 1:18; 2:8).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • God has always revealed His will through prophets, from Abraham to today (Amos 3:7). Modern prophets continue this pattern, clarifying God’s covenants and guiding us in how to live them. The Spirit confirms their teachings as truth.
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • Prophets are mortal and imperfect (Doctrine and Covenants 1:24–28), but God still works through them. Just as Abraham’s family background was troubled, yet God chose and guided him, modern prophets may be fallible but are divinely called to accomplish God’s purposes.
  • Abraham 1:2 — Abraham desired “to be a greater follower of righteousness.”

     

Abraham 2:9–11 — God’s covenant extends to Abraham’s seed and all who receive the gospel.

Accessing God’s Power through Covenants (Elder Dale G. Renlund, Liahona, May 2023)