question re Abraham 2:11

[searching_questioner]

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 2:11

Does this verse suggest that the promises made to Abraham will only be available to those who are the literal seed of his body? If so, how do we then get from this verse to the doctrine that we may all be partakers of the promises made to Abraham by way of adoption rather than birth? On the face of it, the doctrine of adoption doesn’t seem to sit well with the idea that these promises are available only through the literal seed.

[Convert55]

Whatever this verse may or may not suggest, all who receive and keep all the temple ordinances/covenants will in fact receive all the blessing of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Heavenly Father is way more inclusive than exclusive so I would say it doesn't matter if you are a literal descendant or not.

In trying to be succinct and precise it is not my intent to come across as dogmatic nor do I wish do dampen your wonderful searching mind.

As you probably know, Abraham 2:11 is part of the Abrahamic covenant which forms a framework or pattern in which the Father will use to covenants with all of his children. This same format was used to covenant with Adam and we could well call it the Adamic covenant. This same format was used to covenant with Israel at Sinai and with David later on.

Just for fun read Psalms 89:20-34 which contains the Davidic covenant and see if you can see the Abrahamic covenant pattern in there. I try ( I say try because I sometimes can’t remember them all) to remember the 4 or 5 “P”s to remember the Abrahamic covenant:

Priesthood, posterity, prosperity, protection, promised land and there may be more that I have forgotten for the moment. Again, Heavenly Father does not want to exclude anyone, but we must qualify ourselves for them.

Edited October 6, 2012 by Convert55

[MsMagnolia]

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 2:11

QUOTE]

When we are baptized we literally take upon us the name of Christ and become "family". Through the Gospel (the common denominator to all those of the Abrahamic covenant) we gain the blessings promised through Christ if we are faithful to our covenants. Remember that not all of Abraham's literal children were partakers in the Abrahamic covenant.

Just my thoughts,

Mags