“To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness”

February 16–22, 2026Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–28 chapters · 182 verses

Abraham grows up in an idolatrous home in Ur and nearly dies on a pagan altar, but he seeks “greater happiness and peace and rest.” God rescues him and leads him to Canaan with a covenant: land, a great posterity, priesthood, and blessings for all the families of the earth. The rest of the Bible flows from this covenant.

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Study guide

Abraham's covenant is the backbone of the rest of scripture. The Book of Abraham adds his early life and the full scope of the promises.

How to read this week

Start with Abraham 1–2. They show why Abraham was chosen: he sought righteousness and the priesthood, and trusted God enough to leave home.
List the covenant promises. Land, posterity, priesthood and blessing to all nations appear repeatedly (Genesis 12:1–3; 13:14–17; 15:5–18; 17:1–8; Abraham 2:9–11). Mark each one.
Notice the delays. The promise of a son is given in chapter 12, and Isaac isn't born until chapter 21, about 25 years later. Faith means trusting God's timing.
Follow the altars. Abraham builds altars at Shechem, Bethel and Hebron (12:7–8; 13:18). Worship marks his journey.
See yourself in the covenant. Latter-day Saints are Abraham's seed by lineage or adoption (Galatians 3:29; D&C 132:30–32), with the same responsibility to bless the world.

Abraham's journey

Ur — Abraham's family serves idols; the Lord rescues him (Abraham 1)
Haran — The family settles; the Lord gives Abraham the covenant (Abraham 2:1–11)
Shechem and Bethel — Abram enters Canaan and builds altars (Genesis 12:6–8)
Egypt — A famine drives Abram to Egypt (Genesis 12:10–20)
Hebron — Abram settles by the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 13:18)
Salem — Melchizedek blesses Abram (Genesis 14:18–20)
Age 99 — The covenant renewed; new names (Genesis 17)

Images and ideas to recognize

Passage	Image	What it means
Abraham 1:12–16	The altar of Elkenah	Abraham rescued from idolatry by the Lord's hand.
Gen 12:7–8	Altars across the land	Claiming the promised land through worship.
Gen 14:18	Bread and wine	Offered by a priest-king. Christians see a foreshadowing of the sacrament.
Gen 14:20	Tithes	Giving a tenth to the Lord's priest.
Gen 15:5	The stars	Countless posterity, beyond what Abraham can see.
Gen 15:17	Fire passing between the pieces	God binding Himself to His promise.
Gen 17:5, 15	New names	A new identity in covenant with God.

Restoration connections

D&C 84:14; 107:2–4 — Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, for whom the higher priesthood is named.
D&C 132:29–32 — Abraham's blessings extend to those who do his works.
Galatians 3:7–9, 29 — Those who are Christ's are Abraham's seed.
Alma 13:14–19 — Melchizedek as a type of the Savior and a model of a peacemaking king.

Questions for the week

Abraham sought “greater happiness and peace and rest” (Abraham 1:2). What righteous desires are you seeking?
What has God asked you to leave behind to follow Him?
How are you helping to fulfill the promise that all families of the earth will be blessed (Abraham 2:11)?
Hagar called God “the God who sees” (Genesis 16:13). When have you felt seen by Him?
How do the covenants you've made connect you to Abraham's?

Conference talks & Church resources

Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.

Scholarly papers

Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.

Podcasts & video

Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.