LESSON 7 - The Abrahamic Covenant

Abraham 1
1 In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;

2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.

3 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.

4 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.

This passage makes it appear that it is was likely in Chaldea, or at least during the period of his residence there, that Abraham met with Melchizedek and received from him the High Priesthood (D&C 84:14). This was the first great covenant entered into by Abraham, and was a necessary precursor to that which we commonly refer to as “The Abrahamic Covenant.” By first receiving the priesthood and exercising righteousness, Abraham made himself worthy to be the “father” of the covenant through which all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

Abraham and his seed understood the significance of this blessing, and that it would most easily by preserved if they continued to marry those who would be willing to accept and assist in the preservation of the covenant. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sought for wives among their own king.

Abraham married his niece, Sarah
Isaac married his first cousin once removed, Rebekah
Jacob married his second cousins once removed, Leah and Rachel