The word father (or fathers) appears 17 times in Abraham 1. This would certainly qualify as a Leitwort or theme word in these early chapters in the Book of Abraham. Abraham’s name means “father of a multitude,” so we shouldn’t be surprised at the recurrence of this word. Abraham 1:2 states:
“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.”
I love this verse because it shows the connection between righteousness and knowledge. Righteousness enhances our ability to gain knowledge, and increased knowledge brings greater righteousness. There are things we can only learn through the Holy Ghost, who “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). This is one of the great blessings of temple attendance.
The reference to fathers in the Book of Abraham refers to the patriarchal fathers and the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. This establishes the order of the patriarchal priesthood described in D&C 107:40-41: “The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage.” President Dallin H. Oaks explains, “A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical.” (“Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church,” General Conference, October 2005).
President Oaks also said, “Family relationships are more enduring than Church relationships.” Wards and stakes have limited boundaries and church callings are temporary. The blessings of the temple are eternal and align with the patriarchal order of the priesthood.
The Lord promised Abraham, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;
“And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.” (Abraham 2:9-11).
Temple blessings spring from this Abrahamic Covenant allowing all families of the earth to be blessed with the Gospel, salvation, and eternal life. I don’t think this amazing promise gets enough love and attention. This is so powerful! The Abrahamic Covenant is renewed with each successive generation. D&C 132:31 states, “This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.”
Abraham is promised that his seed would be “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore” (Genesis 22:17). Included in the Abrahamic Covenant is the promise of a Messiah who would come through his lineage. The Lord said to Abraham, “Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee.” (Abraham 1:18). Receiving the name of God and His power is a blessing of the temple. Part of the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple is “that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them” (D&C 109:22).
It is a great blessing to go to the temple and feel of His power and protection.
