Abraham 1 Abraham 1:1The Chaldeans and the Egyptians Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, was generally identified with the modern town of Mugheir in present-day Iraq. It is about 150 miles from the Persian Gulf and 875 miles from Egypt. Elder Mark E. Petersen, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained that Abraham “mentions that the priest of Elkenah were also the priest of Pharaoh. The altar was obviously specially built for human sacrifice. Abraham may have known the prophet Noah. The biblical chronology clearly indicates that Noah was alive during the early years of Abraham’s life.

Abraham 1:2 Why did Abraham seek the blessings of the Fathers? Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “The true disciple has an inborn questioning to know, personally, all that God is willing to teach us. Nephi could have accepted gladly the vision of his father, Lehi. But Nephi ‘desired to know the things that (his) father had seen.’ (I Nephi 11:1.) Abraham sought, even though he had a father who had turned from the faith, ‘for greater happiness and peace’ and ‘for mine appointment unto the Priesthood.’ Divine discontent in the form of promptings can move us to feast because we know that by feasting we can increase our knowledge, effectiveness, and joy” (Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward (1977), 119).

Abraham 1:3 Who Conferred the Priesthood upon Abraham? Doctrine & Covenants 84:14-16 teaches that “Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek. The Prophet Joseph Smith also referred to Abraham’s relationship with the righteous patriarch Melchizedek when he wrote: “Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou has taught me concerning the priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a priesthood” (History of the Church, 5:555).

Abraham 1:4-6 The Courage of Abraham: President Joseph Fielding Smith stated: “We all know something of the courage it takes for one to stand in opposition to united custom, and general belief. None of us likes to be ridiculed. Few are able to withstand popular opinion even when they know it is wrong, and it is difficult to comprehend the magnificent courage displayed by Abraham in his profound obedience to Jehovah, in the midst of his surroundings. His moral courage, his implicit faith in God, his boldness in raising his voice in opposition to the prevailing wickedness, is almost beyond comparison” (The Way to Perfection, 86).

Abraham 1:11The Three Virgins Elder Neal A. Maxwell discussed these three virtuous young women as “marvelous models of enduring uncertainty and on trusting God”: They are remarkable young women about whom I am anxious to know more. They were actually sacrificed upon the altar because they would not bow down to worship (an idol) of wood or stone. Some day the faithful will get to meet them (“Not My Will, But Thine” (1988), ).

Abraham 1:12-20 The Sacrifice of All Things if Necessary? The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also --- counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ --- requires more than mere belief of supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that, when these sufferings are ended, he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God…

“… A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.

“…It is in vain for persons to fancy themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him…. “…From the days of righteous Abel to the present time, the knowledge that men have that they are accepted in the sight of God is obtained by offering sacrifice….

“…Those, then, who make the sacrifice, will have the testimony that their course is pleasing in the sight of God; and those who have this testimony will have faith to lay hold on eternal life, and will be enabled, through faith, to endure unto the end, and receive the crown that is laid up for them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who do not make the sacrifice cannot enjoy this faith, because men are dependent upon this sacrifice in order to obtain this faith: therefore, they cannot lay hold upon eternal life, because the revelations of God do not guarantee unto them the authority so to do, and without this guarantee faith could not exist” (Lectures on Faith, 68-70).

Abraham 1:20-27 A Pharaoh in Egypt: There he found a descendant of Ham, reigning as Pharaoh, whose government was patterned after the patriarchal governments of old, but which was devoid of priesthood and revelation, and hence, as far as worship is concerned --- a worship prescribed, mandated, and commanded by pharaoh --- had turned to idolatry’ (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 660).