Posted By Sarah Johnson on Feb 6, 2026 |

How does being a child of the Abrahamic Covenant help me draw closer to Christ?

Good morning, Sisters!

• It is a privilege to be here amongst you. I hope that your day has felt lighter because you have gathered with the Sister Saints. 
• Based on the title of this talk, I am impressed you are here—this topic seems daunting and a little confusing. 
• In actuality, this topic is the thesis for the past 20 years of my personal journey in understanding and accepting my own family of origin. While I am flattered at this opportunity, when Sister Joos told me I was the only name that came to mind for this topic, I was not surprised—not to boast, but to honor my Heavenly Father in guiding me through an arduous and painful journey. 
• I am hopeful that this class will provide education and insights, and that you will leave today feeling hope that you too can be protected, guided, and nurtured through your mortal sojourn. 
• My intention is to acknowledge the deeply challenging circumstances you may find yourself in.
• The topic of the Abrahamic Covenant has never been clean, easy, or simple; when we peel back the history of these original families, they are no less complicated than we experience today. 
• God’s plan is divine, even in the messy middle—the chaotic, painful, heartbreaking, warm, exciting, hopeful middle. 

Bethel

By Francis Frith – This file was donated to Wikimedia Commons as part of a project by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. See the Image and Data Resources Open Access Policy, CC0, 

This image was taken as part of theElef Millim project trip to “Jacob’s dream”, inBethel which was held on Friday, 17th March 2017.  This file is licensed under theCreative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Photo: Jacob’s Ladder, painting by Salvator Rosa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“In his flight from his murderous brother Esau, Jacob spent the night at Bethel, where years earlier his grandfather Abraham had heard God promise that he would receive all the land as far as he could see. There, Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven, and the Lord repeated to him the promises Abraham received.

Shaken, Jacob awoke and said:

How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. —Gen. 28:17

Jacob named the site Bethel—“house of God.” The dream gave more than a vision of God’s house. It offered a foreshadowing of how to get there.”
-https://www.waynestiles.com/blog/gods-gateway/

Start the story in Bethel

Jerusalem, summer of 1998.

Bethel – starry night. 

Rocks, rolling sage-filled hills. 

Nearer My God to Thee. 

Sacred about Bethel. 

• Jacob received his covenant, and his name was changed from Jacob to Israel.
• Means, “House of God”

10 ¶ And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

16 ¶ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

19 And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

Child of the Abrahamic Covenant

Plant in the hearts of the children the promises:

Joseph Smith History 1: 39

39 “… And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers….”

President Nelson’s talk, Covenants from 2011

“…the Lord appeared in these latter days to renew that Abrahamic covenant. To the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Master declared:

“Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, … my servant Joseph. …

“This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham.”

With this renewal, we have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. We have the right to receive the fulness of the gospel, enjoy the blessings of the priesthood, and qualify for God’s greatest blessing—that of eternal life.”

Analogies: To be a child of the Abrahamic covenant means:

The Abrahamic Covenant is like a family trust or inheritance plan:
Parents set it up: “In this family, we promise to provide education, a home, love, opportunities, and a share in the family business and estate.”

A child of the Abrahamic covenant is like a child who:

1. Belongs to that family (Birth or adoption)
2. Knows the family name
3. Receives the inheritance—and also the family responsibilities (work, values, reputation)

Parent / Child Family Analogy
I have been helping my mom make some difficult transitions. Her husband, Clark, was in the hospital and is now in assisted living. I have been helping her with estate updates in light of these changes. I am sitting at the dining room table. They live right downtown, kitty corner from the temple, up on the 8th floor, overlooking Brigham Young Park. As I am sifting through financial documents, my chest starts burning. I feel the spirit so strongly. 

When my mom has a question, I walk into the other room and help her. My chest calms down. I come back to work on the papers, and the spirit burns inside of me. This happens over multiple days.

I hear the spirit whisper, “All that the Father Hath.”

This is about Inheritance. 

Covenant = the family legacy & inheritance plan
Child of the covenant = the child who accepts the family name and responsibilities

D&C 84: 34-38

They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

Timeline Event	References	Pillar
Abram desires righteousness / seeks priesthood	Abraham 1:2–4	Abram Seeks Abram Obeys– Law of Obedience
Abram lives in Ur among idolatry; father/fathers connected to idolatry	Abraham 1
Attempted sacrifice of Abram (rescued; Book of Abraham / Facsimile 1)	Abraham 1 Facsimile 1	Abram In-Danger Abram Rescued
Abram married to Sarai	Genesis 11:29–31	Sarai and Abram Marry -Sealing
Terah takes Abram, Sarai, and Lot and they leave Ur headed toward Canaan, but settle in Haran. **  Initial covenant call/promise: land + seed + blessings	Genesis 11:31	Terah returns to idol worship & Dies. Covenants Received
After Haran, Abram leaves for Canaan (Bethel) with Sarai and Lot – 75	Genesis 12:1–4; Abraham 2:6–11	Altar/Sacrifice – Law of Sacrifice
In Canaan: famine → Abram goes down to Egypt – 75	Genesis 12:10	Abram and Sarai Flee                         Relief/ Temptation
Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house; God intervenes; Sarai is returned – 75	Genesis 12:14–20	Sarai Spared Law of Chastity
Return to Canaan – BETHEL –	Genesis 13:1	Abram Offers *Sacrifice/Altar
Abram and Lot separate: Lot chooses the Jordan plain near Sodom; Abram dwells near Mamre/Hebron ** Covenant reaffirmed/expanded after separation: land + posterity**	Genesis 13:5–18	Abram and Sarai Receive Covenants
Abraham saves Lot after he is kidnapped		Lot Rescued
Covenant promises reaffirmed (posterity/land) Reaffirmations: stars promise & covenant made; later confirmations (including oath)	Gen 15; Gen 17; Gen 22; Abr 2:9–11; D&C 84:34; 3 N 20:25–27	Covenant Reaffirmed
Sarai gives Hagar to Abram → Ishmael – 85	Gen 16:3; Gen 12:4; D&C 132:34–35	Chastity         Sarai Doubts God, Belief in God’s Promise – Doubt the timing or the way. My way.
Isaac is promised; covenant sign / name changes (Abram → Abraham; Sarai → Sarah) – 99 **Major covenant milestone: covenant sign + name changes; Isaac identified as covenant heir**	Genesis 17:1–8; Abraham 2:9–11	New Name -Initiatory
Isaac is born – 100 ** Promise fulfillment marker**	Genesis 21:5	Posterity
Abraham is commanded to offer Isaac – after 100 ** Covenant reconfirmed by oath after obedience**	Genesis 22	Consecration
The sacrifice of Isaac seals the covenant		-Law of Consecration

Abraham: 

• Noah is Abraham’s 8th great-grandfather
• Abram desires righteousness / seeks priesthood blessings 
• Abram lives in Ur among idolatry; father/fathers connected to idolatry
• Attempted sacrifice of Abram 
• Abram is married to Sarai 
• Terah takes Abram, Sarai, and Lot and they leave Ur headed toward Canaan, but settle in Haran
• After Haran, Abram leaves for Canaan with Sarai and Lot*** 
• In Canaan: famine → Abram goes down to Egypt
• Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house; God intervenes; Sarai is returned
• Return to Canaan******
• Abram and Lot separate: Lot chooses the Jordan plain near Sodom; Abram dwells near Mamre/Hebron
• Covenant promises reaffirmed (posterity/land) 
• Sarai gives Hagar to Abram → Ishmael
• Isaac is promised; covenant sign / name changes (Abram → Abraham; Sarai → Sarah)
• Isaac is born
• Abraham is commanded to offer Isaac
• Isaac is spared – the covenant is sealed.

My big takeaways from studying Abraham’s story:

• Abram chose righteousness from a young age, despite being raised in an environment that dictated otherwise. 
• God tested and spared Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. Each was tested on an altar. They were types of Christ.
• God’s promised blessings and the covenants were given to Abraham and Sarah later in life. 65-75-90 and 100 years old.
  • The lesson is that If you haven’t made it yet, be patient.
  • Those promised blessings happened line upon line, not all at once.
• The covenant that Abraham received happened on the soil of the Promised Land. (Cannaan)
  • Stand ye in holy places. 

Abrahamic Covenant: Abraham and Sarah were given the Abrahamic Covenant together. This covenant does not belong to them, but through them all of the children of the world are blessed. This marriage was not the first to receive these promised blessings, and it definitely won’t be the last. It is through this covenant relationship that we are inheritors of God’s family. 

President Nelson shares the essence of the promised blessing. 

“The covenant God made with Abraham and later reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance. It contained several promises, including:

• Jesus the Christ would be born through Abraham’s lineage.
• Abraham’s posterity would be numerous, entitled to an eternal increase, and also entitled to bear the priesthood.
• Abraham would become a father of many nations.
• Certain lands would be inherited by his posterity.
• All nations of the earth would be blessed by his seed.
• And that covenant would be everlasting—even through ‘a thousand generations.’” 

– Russell M. Nelson, Covenants, General Conference 2011

My Own Covenant Story

1. You are a child of the covenant

RECUSED

My Uncle Gordon called my mom and told her he was picking her up, along with my brother, who was an infant and under two years old. We lived in my great-grandma’s basement across from the Garden Park Ward in Salt Lake City. My dad was emotionally abusive, neglectful, and now cheating on my mom with countless other men. My mom made dinner for him and left it in the fridge, with a note on the counter saying the marriage was over and that she was gone. We lived with Aunt Sue and Gordon for a season in Springville, Utah, while my mom got back on her feet. They were legally divorced, following a swift temple divorce, which in those days was practically unheard of, but was merited.

CHILD OF THE COVENANT

As a child, I was consistently and lovingly told that, despite my parents’ temple divorce and my dad’s excommunication, I was born “under the covenant.” At the time, I didn’t know what that meant, but it felt good. I knew that I was different than my peers at school, church, and even than my own cousins, because I was raised by a single parent. But I knew that I was loved and that I belonged. 

• I knew I was a child of the Abrahamic Covenant because my parents married in the temple. 
• I knew the temple blessings extended to me automatically despite what happened to my dad. 
• I knew I belonged to my extended family and immediate family and that I was loved. 

2. My Dad Died – I Was Protected From My Father’s Wickedness

PROTECTED FROM A DEADLY FATE BECAUSE OF MY DAD’S WICKEDNESS

When I was ten years old, my mom sat my brother and I home after a hang out at Foothill Village with our friend David. She insisted that he go home, and took us into the living room. “Kids, your dad died today. He had AIDS.” Later we learned that he was all alone in a hospital room in New York City. He was gay. One of the first 10,000 victims of a disease that has risen to the 2nd deadliest cause of worldwide deaths (44.1 million), next to the Spanish Flu in 1918. The season that followed included deep shame and unfiltered grief. 

3. Grandpa Died

RESCUED FROM DESPAIR AND TAUGHT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST:
FORGIVENESS, REPENTANCE, ATONEMENT 

• Grandpa’s death: now he is with the only one who can teach him.
  • Being a grandchild of Dave and Joy, I knew that my grandma will come to find me. That I am missed when I am missing. That my feelings matter and that I have people who love me and can help. 
  •  I knew that being a child of the Abrahamic Covenant is bigger than sin, is bigger than excommunication, and that forgiveness is possible for even this. 
  • I learned that Jesus Christ’s atonement is big enough for all of us. 
  • I learned that hope is a beautiful lever for healing.
  • I began to understand that it wasn’t just my dad who needed saving.

4. I received my own temple covenants and temple marriage

5. I was invited to drink from the well of salvation – Dad’s temple blessings restored

I TASTED REDEMPTION

• Derek came out – my mountain lake was a stir.
  • I learned that being a child of the covenant does not eliminate the natural consequences of personal or generational trauma; that effort is required to experience both personal peace and blessings of the spirit. 
• I worked with my bishop, stake president to have my dad’s temple blessings restored. “Hearts of the children turn to their fathers.”
  • I learned that because I am a child of the Abrahamic covenant, there is a structure of priesthood authority that holds keys for salvation. That i have a network of servants to help me and my family on my path.
  • I felt the weight of my dad’s sins – like Jacob Marley from The Christmas Carol’s carried chains from his sins. 
  • I experienced the Atonement of Jesus Christ as I received news of my father’s restoration of blessings. 

6. I wish this were the end of the story. 

MY FATHER RETURNED TO HIS IDOL WORSHIP

• I learned that Dad didn’t want to climb the mountain of salvation with me. There wasn’t enough oxygen for him up this high up. He didn’t want to be the dad I wanted him to be. He didn’t want me to save him. I had ancestors who plotted for my destruction. Through the power of the priesthood, I received a blessing of protection from my adversaries who would have me destroyed.
  • I learned that being a child of rejecting parents is painful. 
  • Being a savior on Mt. Zion is not guaranteed to be received or wanted. Jesus Christ was rejected, too. 
  • Because I am a child of the Abrahamic Covenant, I have the rights and access to priesthood blessings and protection. 
• St. George Desert.
  • HF, My dad doesn’t want to be my dad.  I know that you are the grand master of the Universe and Father to worlds without numbers. Can you just be my dad?
    Yes.
    I felt him in front of me to the left.
    Jesus, my brother doesn’t want to be my brother. I know you are the great mediator, the beloved son who took all the sins of the world. Can you just be my brother?
    Yes.
    I felt him to my right, in front of me, on the right hand of God.
    Grandpa Evans took the back left, and the spirit of my husband helped space behind me to the right.
    I walked in the desert with God.
    • Because I am a child of the covenant, Elohim can just be my dad. 

ENDING – Jesus is the Ladder

“Many centuries later, the Lord Jesus would tell Nathaniel:

You will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. —John 1:51

By comparing Himself to Jacob’s ladder, Jesus revealed that God’s means of connecting with mankind would now come through His Son—a means and a mediator we still enjoy today (Heb. 1:1-2; 7:25). Jesus became the new Bethel, God’s dwelling place.

Just as Bethel became Israel’s gateway into Abraham’s land, so Jesus has become the gateway into Abraham’s blessing.

Indeed, Jesus is “the gate” by which all Israelites—even anyone who believes in Him—may come to God (see John 10:9).” -https://www.waynestiles.com/blog/gods-gateway/

Nearer My God To Thee

Because I am a child of the Abrahamic Covenant, I _________

• Seek the Blessings of the Fathers
• Obey God’s Commandments
• Recue/Rescued from Danger
• Marry 
• Receive covenants
• Sacrifice 
• Teach
• Minister
• Worship
• Receive a New Name
• Flee Famine
• Find Relief
• Escape Temptation
• Heed Dreams
• Rely on God’s Timing
• Live the Law of Chastity
• Create posterity
• Live the Law of Consecration