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Why Is Abraham Known as the Father of Faith?
Thousands of years ago, a man named Abram lived in a world where many people had forgotten the true God.
He was born in Ur of the Chaldees, a land filled with idol worship. Even members of his own family followed false gods. Yet Abram longed for something different. Rather than accepting the traditions around him, he searched for truth.
He later wrote:
“I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained… desiring also to be one who possessed greater knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness.”_ Abraham 1:2
Abraham wasn’t seeking wealth or power. He wanted to know God, receive the priesthood, and live with greater righteousness.
Because he sought the Lord with all his heart, God prepared him for a mission that would bless the entire world.
A Journey of Faith
God called Abram to leave everything familiar—his homeland, his relatives, and the life he had always known.
The Lord said:
“Get thee out of thy country… unto a land that I will shew thee.”_Genesis 12:1
God did not reveal every detail. He invited Abram to walk by faith. Abram obeyed.
His faith was tested many times. He and his wife, Sarai, had no children for years. God’s promise that he would become the father of a great nation seemed impossible. Yet Abram continued to believe.
The scriptures say:
“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”_Genesis 15:6
Why Did God Change Abram’s Name?
As a sign of the covenant, God changed his name from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”) (see Genesis 17:5). Sarai’s name was also changed to Sarah.
Every time Abraham heard his new name, he was reminded that God always keeps His promises—even when they seem impossible.
Soon after, the Lord fulfilled His promise through the birth of Isaac.
What Exactly Is the Abrahamic Covenant?
A covenant is a sacred two-way promise between God and His children.
Through Abraham, God established a covenant that includes these key blessings:
- Promised Land
- Posterity as numerous as the stars of heaven
- The right to the priesthood and the gospel
- The promise that through Abraham’s seed all the families of the earth would be blessed
The Lord declared:
“In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
This promise looked far beyond Abraham’s lifetime. Through his descendants, prophets would preserve God’s word, priesthood authority would continue, and Jesus Christ—the promised Messiah—would come to bless all nations.
How Does This Covenant Bless Us Today?
Many people think the Abrahamic covenant belongs only to Abraham’s physical descendants. The Lord revealed something much greater:
“As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed.”_Abraham 2:11, Genesis 22:18;
This means that everyone who accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ and keeps sacred covenants becomes part of Abraham’s covenant family—whether by birth or by adoption.
Through baptism and temple covenants, we can receive the same promised blessings: the companionship of the Holy Ghost, priesthood ordinances, guidance, and the hope of eternal life with our families.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught that the Abrahamic covenant is the promise of the gospel, the priesthood, and eternal life, including the blessing of eternal marriage and eternal increase.
A Covenant Still Active Today
The Abrahamic covenant was restored in the latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is being fulfilled as the gospel is preached throughout the world and as we perform temple ordinances for ourselves and our ancestors.
Abraham’s story began with one man who sought God with all his heart. Because of his faith, generations have been blessed.
Today the invitation remains the same.
As we choose to follow Jesus Christ, make sacred covenants, and remain faithful to them, we become part of the covenant family God promised Abraham thousands of years ago—and we help continue the work of blessing all the families of the earth
What Will You Do?
The Abrahamic covenant is not just something to study — it is something to live.
You can begin today by:
- Studying the story of Abraham in Genesis and the book of Abraham
- Renewing your commitment to keep the covenants you have already made
- Sharing the gospel with someone who needs hope
- Participating in family history and temple work
As you do these simple things, you will feel the blessings of the covenant grow in your own life.
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