The Abrahamic Covenant

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If the purpose of earth life is to prepare for exaltation, what would be the greatest gifts God could give a chosen people?

One of the greatest blessings we receive when becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is that through the waters of baptism and the priesthood, Church members become heirs of Abraham with all the rights belonging to the children of Abraham through their faithfulness.  Meaning, as baptized church members, we are of Israel, we are of the family of Abraham, we are his descendants through the tribes of Ephriam, Manasseh, or one of the other descendants. 

Most of those who accept the gospel are literal seed of Abraham as was promised him however if we are not of the blood line of Abraham, as a baptized church member we are adopted into the family.  And this is a very important gift, for it is through the lineage of Abraham alone that the mighty blessings of the Lord for His children on earth are to be given. However this blessing does not come without great responsibility.  As descendants of Abraham we are expected to be like him and to adhere to strict obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.     Abraham 2: 10-11

10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;

11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.

In order for us to do that and be able to enjoy the blessings of being part of Israel, it is first important to understand that we are descendants of Abraham, and then it is important for us to understand Abraham himself, and the covenant which was made between him and God called the Abrahamic Covenant.  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the covenant of Abraham is a part of our life, we accepted it at baptism.  Our eternal salvation depends on how we keep those promises.  Therefore it is very wise for us to study and understand.  

About Abraham 

Israelite history does not begin with Jacob, who is Israel, nor with his tribal descendants but with Abraham, their father.  In the true and spiritual sense of the terms, Abraham was the first Hebrew, the first Israelite and the first Jew.  Abraham was the father of the faithful, the progenitor of the chosen people, the one through whose lines the Lord promised to raise up a righteous nation and people.   

Abraham's Genealogy: 

Noah

Shem

Arphaxad

Salah

Eber

Peleg

Reu

Serug

Nahor

Terah

Abraham

There are nine generations between Noah and Abraham. Nineteen generations between Adam and Abraham and it is interesting to note that Noah lived past the time of Abraham's birth and Shem actually outlived Abraham. Here is the Chronology:

• 4000 B.C. - the fall of Adam.
• 2300-2400 B.C. - the flood.
• 1996 B.C. - the birth of Abraham

Abraham lived the early part of his life in Ur, in the land of the Chaldeans, not far from the northern tip of the Persian Gulf (now Iraq, close to the borders of Kuwait and Iran).   Ur was the largest city of Shinar or northern Chaldea, as well as the principal commercial center of the country and the center for political power. I think of it much like a Washington DC.  However grand it was though, Ur was consecrated to the worship of the Babylonian moon-god, it was consecrated to the worship of sin.  

So like others whom God chose to begin a new work among the children of men, Abraham was born into an apostate environment where heathen gods were being worshiped and the people's hearts were set to do evil.  In spite of this though, Abraham followed after righteousness and sought the priesthood to which he was a rightful heir. Abraham 1:2–4

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.

In reading Abraham 1:2–4; What Blessings did Abraham desire?  He sought the priesthood, great knowledge, to receive instructions, to keep the commandments of God, greater happiness and peace, the blessings of the fathers and the right to be ordained to administer the same, to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace...

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:  "...it has become the right of those holding special inheritance in the Lord's chosen lineage to receive the priesthood, provided they are obedient and faithful. Thus Abraham 'sought for the blessings of the fathers,' and by righteousness 'became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.' The priesthood, he says, '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 foundations of the earth to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, on the first man, who is Adam, our first father, through the fathers, unto me. I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.' (Abra. 1:1-4)." (Mormon Doctrine, p478)

Abraham had righteous desires and in obtaining the priesthood, sought to magnify it by calling those who served in the great city of Ur to repentance.  But rather than repent they sought to take away his life.  This sounds like a really familiar story doesn't it? How many of God's chosen can you name that have suffered near the same situation?  Abraham 1: 5-7

5 My fathers, having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice;

6 For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt;

7 Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh.

And like other prophets, in accordance with the Lord's principle of leading the righteous out from among the wicked Abraham was commanded to leave his father's house and journey to a strange land being led by the hand of the Lord. 

Now the Lord had said unto me: Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Abraham 2:3

Abraham left Ur with his wife Sarai, Lot (his brother's son) and his wife, and his repentant father Terah; as there was sent by God a great famine in the land which caused Abrahams bother to die.  His father then became repentant, and followed "father was sorely tormented because of the famine, and he repented of the evil which he had determined against me." Abraham 1:30. "and also my father followed after me" Abraham 2:4

They were instructed to travel to Haran (near the Turkish-Syrian border) for a time and it was here that Abraham prayed and received a vision in which God covenanted to bless him and his posterity. This is called the Abrahamic covenant. Abraham 2:6–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9.

Elder John A. Widtsoe:  "Abraham was a chosen spirit, destined to be a great leader of the work of the Lord. He was commanded to move into another land to be shown him. where he might be free to worship the Lord of earth and the heavens ....  In obedience to God's command, Abraham, with believing members of his family, moved into the promised land known to us as Palestine." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3:25.)

Abraham sought to be righteous and live worthy of the blessings of God. God covenanted with Abraham, promising that he will have a numerous posterity who will receive a promised land and the blessings of the priesthood and the gospel.   Abraham 1:1–4; 2:1–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9

The Covenant  

Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation); then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Abra. 2:6-11; D. & C. 132:29-50.) Included in the divine promises to Abraham was the assurance that Christ would come through his lineage, and the assurance that Abraham's posterity would receive certain choice, promised lands as an eternal inheritance. (Abra. 2; Gen. 17; 22:15-18; Gal. 3.)  All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant.  

There are many great patriarchal fathers to whom all the faithful look. Chief among them are Adam, Noah, and Abraham. Adam is the first man, the first mortal flesh upon the earth, the Presiding High Priest over all the earth, the head of the mortal and immortal patriarchal chains. He stands next to Christ in the eternal hierarchy. All men on earth are Adam's seed as mortals. Those who gain exaltation and live in the family unit in celestial glory shall live and reign as his immortal children, being thus subject to him forever. Noah is in the same position. He stands next to Adam in priestly power and authority; he is the father of all mortals and will stand preeminent above all who have lived since his day and who gain exaltation. His position in the patriarchal chain of exalted beings will be above that of all who have lived since the flood.

Abraham stands in the same position as Noah for all who have lived since his day, as far as eternal blessings are concerned. Even those who are not his literal seed shall receive their eternal blessings through him and the covenant God made with him.  (New Witness for the Articles of Faith Bruce R McConkie)

What blessings did God promise Abraham in this covenant? Abraham 2:6–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9 :

 1.  A promised land to live in (Abraham 2:6, 19; Genesis 12:7; 17:8)
6 But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother’s son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice.

19 And the Lord appeared unto me in answer to my prayers, and said unto me: Unto thy seed will I give this land.

7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

The Lord gave a promise to Abraham that he should have Palestine, or the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.  The time will eventually come, after the resurrection from the dead, when Abraham and his children who have been faithful in keeping of the commandments of the Lord should possess that land and they shall also spread forth as far as it is necessary for them to receive and inheritance.  

2.  A great posterity (Abraham 2:9–10; Genesis 12:2–3; 17:2, 4–6)
9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;

Genesis 12:2–3 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 17:2, 4–6   And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

Abraham was 100 years old before his covenant son Isaac, was born.  Abraham had 8 sons in all, however from Isaac the covenant people developed.  Through Ishmael came many of the Arab nations, through Keturah's sons came the midianites and others.  The vast population of the Arab, Moslem, and Israeli world which claim to be descendants of Abraham numbers about one hundred million.  When one adds to that the deceased ancestors and then estimates the futures posterities of these groups plus other descendants such as the past present and future members of the nephite-laminate cultures, the lost 10 tribes and the Latter-day Saints, one can see what the Lord meant concerning the inumberalbe unmeasurable blessings of posterity.  (Nyman, in Sperry Lecture Series 1975 quoted in old testament student manual BYU)

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the priesthood for Abraham and his posterity (Abraham 2:9–11; Genesis 17:7)

9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;

11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.

Abraham received the Priesthood after the order of the Son of God from Melchizedek.  The posterity of Abraham are also to receive this priesthood  In an 1832 revelation, the Lord confirmed to the priesthood holders of this dispensation that the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of their fathers, "for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God"  D&C 86:8-9

We go to the promise made to Abraham which was that in him and in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed.  Moses, as I have said was of the his seed, and he was the deliverer of the whole of that nation.  And who were the prophets that existed among ancient Israel?  They were descendants of Abraham: and to them came the world of God and the light of revelation.  Who was Jesus?  After the flesh of the seed of Abraham.  Who were his Twelve Apostles?   Of the seed of Abraham.   Who were the people that came to this continent, Lehi and his family, about 600 years BC?  Of the seed of Abraham.  Who was Joseph Smith ?  Of the seed of Abraham.  (John Taylor in Journal of Discourses 20:224) 

4. The celestial kingdom (D&C 88:17–20) 

17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.

18 Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;

19 For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

20 That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

Following the millennium the earth will die, be resurrected and become like a sea of glass, and attain unto its sanctified immortal and eternal state.  Then the poor and the meek that is the godfearing and the righteous shall inherit the earth, it will become an abiding place for the father and the Son and celestial beings will possess it forever and ever. Abrahams righteous descendants will inherit the earth.   (Mormon Doctrine p. 211 Bruce R McConkie quoted in Old Testament Manual BYU)

5. Eternal marriage and eternal increase (D&C 132:19–22)  In a literal sense Abraham's posterity will have no end because of his righteous descendants will go on through eternity bringing forth posterity.  

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

6. Exaltation and eternal life (D&C 132:23–24)  As descendants of Abraham, if we remain true and faithful to our charge to bless our own family and others with the blessings of the gospel, we will continue to do so throughout eternity.  Also we will be heirs to all that the Father has through Christ.  

23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.

We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant

God’s priesthood, covenants, and gospel were the blessings promised to Abraham’s seed and are also the blessings given to covenant Israel. 

All Church members are the “seed of Abraham,” which means we are his descendants. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs” (“How One May Become of the House of Israel,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1923, 1149).

During the ministry of Christ in mortality, the gospel was taken to the members of the house of Israel, or the literal descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 15:24). After the savior’s resurrection, the apostle Peter was shown in a vision that the time had come to take the gospel to the Gentiles ( acts 10).  Since then, those not of the blood of Israel who accept the gospel by repentance and baptism are accepted into the house of Israel by adoption and are also heirs to all the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. 

Joseph Smith taught:  "...the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p149)

As the seed of Abraham, Church members are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant

How do we become heirs to this covenant?  When we are baptized into the Church, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of salvation is renewed with us. When we are sealed in the temple, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of exaltation is renewed with us. To receive the blessings of the covenant, we must fulfill the associated responsibilities and live worthily.

What blessings can we receive through the Abrahamic covenant?  We can receive all the blessings that Abraham received, these blessings include the gospel, the priesthood, exaltation, and eternal family relationships.

What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant?  We are to help all of God’s children, living and dead, receive the full blessings of the gospel.  The responsibilities of covenant Israel are to bear this ministry and priesthood unto all nations of the earth. Abraham 2:9, 11

9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.

Elder John A. Widtsoe: "This covenant with Abraham was also a call to leadership. Therefore, it has been interpreted to mean that Abraham and his descendants were chosen to conserve in purity and to advance on earth the eternal plan for human salvation." (Gospel Interpretations, p95)

Joseph Fielding McConkie: "In claiming to be a chosen people, we make no pretense to be superior to any other people but simply claim to have been chosen to serve as the Lord's messengers in declaring the message of salvation among the nations of the earth. Ours is a call to service, not to privilege, though the service itself is such. The promise given to Abraham was that his posterity would be called upon to bear the ministry and priesthood among all nations." (Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions, 181 - 182)

We are also to obey God’s commandments.  Genesis 18:19

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

How can we help others receive the gospel? By doing missionary work, by performing temple ordinances for the dead, and by being examples of righteousness.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The responsibility of the seed of Abraham, which we are, is to be missionaries to ‘bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations’ Abraham 2:9” (Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 107; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).

Elder Boyd K. Packer made the following analogy to emphasize our responsibility to share the gospel with others:

Imagine that our bishop has appointed us to plan a picnic for ward members. It is to be the best social in the history of the ward, and we are to spare no expense. We reserve a beautiful picnic ground in the country. We are to have it all to ourselves.

The day arrives and everything is perfect. The tables are set and the feast is spectacular. Then, just as the blessing is being said, an old car turns into the picnic grounds and sputters to a stop. A worried man lifts the hood, and a spout of steam comes out. Several children climb out of the car. An anxious mother takes a box to a nearby table. She puts a few leftovers on the table, trying to make them look like a meal for her hungry children. But there is not enough.

Then one of the little girls sees our table. She pulls her little brother over to us and pushes her head between you and me. We move aside. The little girl says, “Look at that; I wonder what that tastes like.”

What would we do? Would we ignore the people or ask them to be quiet? Would we show them back to their table and give them some of the food we don’t really need? Or would we invite them to come and join us, to sit between us and share the feast, and to let us help fix their car and give them something for their journey?

Elder Packer asks: “Could there be more pure enjoyment than seeing how much we could get those hungry children to eat? Could there be more satisfaction than to interrupt our festivities to help [them] fix their car? …

“… There are people across the world and about us—our neighbors, our friends, some in our own families—who, spiritually speaking, are undernourished. Some of them are starving to death! If we keep all this to ourselves, it is not unlike feasting before those who are hungry” ( Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 59–61; or Ensign, May 1984, 41–42).

What does this analogy teach about our responsibility to help others receive the blessings of the gospel?  We have been blessed with the fulness of the gospel, the greatest feast the world has ever known D&C 58:8–12  God expects us to share this blessing with others, both living and dead.

Patriarchal Blessing

When receiving a Patriarchal Blessing, we are told our lineage, and how we are connected to Abraham either by literal descendant or adoption. President Joseph Fielding Smith said:  "The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:246)

How is the declaration of lineage in our patriarchal blessings like a call to fulfill our responsibilities as heirs to the Abrahamic covenant?  By declaring that we are the seed of Abraham, our patriarchal blessings reemphasize our privilege to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and our obligation to fulfill its responsibilities.

Ancient Israelites were surrounded by many nations whose people did not believe in the true God. These nations included the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians, and others.  Why do you think the Lord put his covenant people in the middle of the ancient world instead of where they could be left alone? Deuteronomy 4:6–8. He wanted them to set an example for others and to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant to bless all nations.  

Many stories in the Old Testament show the success or failure of the Lord’s people to keep their covenants and influence others toward righteousness. Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and many others were righteous influences. Samson, Ahab, the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness, and others allowed the world to influence them.

As he did with ancient Israel, the Lord has placed us, his latter-day covenant people, in the middle of the world. Our challenge is to influence the world in righteous ways rather than allowing the world to influence us in unrighteous ways.

Conclusion

Today millions claim Abraham as their father.  Abraham lived a life of righteousness. In a day when most worshipped false gods, Abraham remained true to the Lord and his commandments. His faith was strong and he was dependent on the Lord. So great was his faith that the Lord made a remarkable covenant with him.  The covenant pertained to his children collectively as well as individually.  Collectively his children will fulfill those parts of the covenant applicable to them, individually, each person must pass his or her own test as did Abraham. if the blessings of Abraham are to become valid in each life.  The key is to follow the example of Abraham through faithfulness, obedience to the commandments, and endeavoring to share the gospel with those around us.

Resources:

Conference Reports

Ensign

Thanks for the Covenant Elder Russell M Nelson 

Encyclopedia of Mormonism Vol 4 David H Ludlow

Abrahamic Covenant Bruce R McConkie Mormon Doctrine

Pearl of Great Price Revelations from God Charles D Tate

New Witness for the Articles of Faith Bruch R McConkie

Old Testament Student Manual

Doctrines of the Gospel Teacher Manual

Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions, 181 - 182

Gospel Interpretations, p95

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p149

“How One May Become of the House of Israel,” Improvement Eraes of Salvation

John Taylor in Journal of Discourses 20:224

Evidences and Reconciliations, 3:25

Doctrines of Salvation  Joseph Fielding Smith