February 16-22: Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness"

Annette Everett (American, born 1950)
Before Thee, Lord (2015)
Bas-relief, 4 x 8 inches
Collection of the artist
Used with permission of the artist

The first two chapter of the book of Abraham open into a world filled with spiritual confusion and moral danger. Abraham is introduced not simply as a future patriarch, but as a thoughtful seeker who desires righteousness, knowledge, peace, and the rightful authority of God. He lives among people who worship false gods and trust corrupted systems of power—idols that demand loyalty and even human sacrifice. When Abraham refuses to participate, his life is threatened. In that moment of crisis, he calls upon the Lord, and Jehovah delivers him, breaking the power of the false priests and calling Abraham to leave his father’s house and begin a new life.

Later, deliverance turns into a journey. Abraham leaves Ur and later Haran, following God’s command without knowing exactly where he will end up. Along the way, he faces famine, loss, and uncertainty. God reveals Himself as the Creator of heaven and earth and promises Abraham that his family will become a great blessing to all nations. Abraham responds by building altars, praying openly, and worshiping God in unfamiliar and often hostile places. His faith is shown not only in dramatic moments of rescue, but in repeated acts of trust and obedience as he moves from place to place.

Together, these chapters speak clearly to challenges people face today. Like Abraham, many live among modern “idols”—false promises of security, success, power, or belonging that can pull hearts away from God. Questions about where to live, how to find peace, and what voices to trust remain deeply relevant. Abraham’s story teaches that faith does not remove uncertainty, but it gives direction within it. His life shows that following God often means leaving behind what is familiar, choosing worship over fear, and taking faithful steps forward even when the path is not yet clear.

Gospel Questions
1. Abraham made a covenant with God that took much of his lifetime to see fulfilled. Much of it is still being fulfilled. Looking back at your own experiences, what covenants have you seen fulfilled only after a period of time?

2. Melchizedek preached righteousness to his people and was called the "prince of peace" because he established peace in his land (see Alma 13:17-19). In what ways does preaching righteousness establish peace?

3. Like Abraham, Hagar was treated harshly by those she was supposed to honor. Like Abraham, Hagar received a blessing of a great posterity. In the stories in your own family history, how have great trials and injustices experienced by your ancestors strengthened you and made their posterity great?

For Children and Youth
Abraham wanted to follow God, even when the people around him worshipped false gods and tried to hurt him. The Lord listened when Abraham prayed and helped him leave his home to find a new place to live. God promised to guide Abraham and bless his family as he trusted Him.

1. What is one way you can trust God when something around you feels confusing or scary?

Featured
February 16-22: Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2
February 16-22: Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2

Genesis 18–23 bring us into some of the most personal and emotionally demanding moments of Abraham’s life. These chapters move between promise and loss, hospitality and judgment, laughter and grief. Abraham receives heavenly visitors, pleads with the Lord for the city of Sodom, and hears a promise that seems impossible: that Sarah, long past childbearing years, will bear a son. When Sarah laughs, the Lord responds with a question that echoes through scripture and into our own lives: “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”

February 9-15: Genesis 6-11, Moses 8
February 9-15: Genesis 6-11, Moses 8

We read of Noah and the flood in the book of Genesis, but instead of discussing a global, watery catastrophe, let's look at an emotional parallel: the inundation, the feelings of being overwhelmed, underwater, and without something solid beneath our feet. Everyone can relate to that; moreover, many suffer with their mental health at debilitating levels. Looking at Michelle Nixon's image of a flooded area near her home is a metaphor for those sinking feelings.

February 2-8: Moses 7
February 2-8: Moses 7

In her April 2018 General Conference sermon, Sister Reyna I. Aburto spoke of Zion-like purpose: "Girls and boys, young women and young men, sisters and brothers, we are on this journey together. In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other, and we need to be unified. The Lord has commanded us, 'Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.'" She continued, "Every one of our paths is different, yet we walk them together. Our path is not about what we have done or where we have been; it is about where we are going and what we are becoming, in unity."

January 26-February 1: Genesis 5; Moses 6
January 26-February 1: Genesis 5; Moses 6

Seyed Kamaledin Mousavi was born in a small city in East Azerbaijan, Iran. From a young age, he learned the skills of carpet design, dyeing, weaving, and repairing ancient rugs. When he was sixteen years old, he moved to Tehran with his older brother. Since then, he has spent his life designing, restoring, and selling rugs. In recent years, Mousavi moved to New York City, and in December 2024, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

January 19-25: Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5
January 19-25: Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5

In 1987, President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Eve came as a partner, to build and to organize the bodies of mortal men. She was designed by Deity to co-create and nurture life, that the great plan of the Father might achieve fruition. Eve ‘was the mother of all living’ (Moses 4:26). She was the first of all women.”

Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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February 9-15: Genesis 6-11, Moses 8