Doctrine and Covenants 138:41; James 2:23; Abraham 1:2

 

What truths or promises help you look forward with hope, even in difficult seasons?

"41 Noah, who gave warning of the flood; Shem, the great high priest; Abraham, the father of the faithful; Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, the great law-giver of Israel;" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:41)

"23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23)

"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." (Abraham 1:2)

And here's the introductory commentary to this week's reading assignment: February 16–22: “To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness” Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2

Because of the covenant God made with him, Abraham has been called “the father of the faithful” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:41) and “the Friend of God” (James 2:23). Millions today honor him as their direct ancestor, and others have been adopted into his family through conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet Abraham himself came from a troubled family—his father, who had abandoned the true worship of God, tried to have Abraham sacrificed to false gods. In spite of this, Abraham’s desire was “to be a greater follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2), and the account of his life shows that God honored his desire. Abraham’s life stands as a testimony that no matter what a person’s family history has been, the future can be filled with hope.

The future can be filled with hope indeed when we exercise our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and when we strive to be a greater follower of righteousness, just as Abraham did. God knows the desires of our hearts, and He honors them as He did honor Abraham's desire. Whatever our family background may be, we always have hope for a better future if our desires align with God's will.