Abraham 3

Abraham 3 Study Guide – to be discussed January 21
Day 1: Read Abraham 3:1-4; D&C 130:6-11; Abraham 1:31
1. For what purpose(s) have the Urim and Thummim been used by prophets in the past? Where did Abraham live when he received the Urim and Thummim? What did he see by their use?



2. Which “star” is nearest the throne of God? Over what does this star govern? How long in earth years is its “day.”



3. Read D&C 130:6-11. What further information about the earth and heavenly bodies is included in this revelation?



BONUS: Review Abraham 1:31. What other source material on astronomy was available to Abraham?


Day 2: Read Abraham 3:5-10; D&C 88:41-50
4. Use the footnote for Abraham 3:5a with verse 7 to restate Abraham 3:5 and 7 in your own words.



5. How did the Lord use the lights in the heavens as object lessons for Abraham?



6. Read D&C 88:41-50. In what way(s) do the heavenly bodies testify of Christ? What is the irony described in D&C 88:48-50?



Day 3: Read Abraham 3:11-14; review Moses 1:4-8; D&C 132:30-32
7. What did the Lord call Abraham in Abraham 3:12?


8. Review Moses 1:4-8. List similarities and differences between Abraham’s and Moses’ experiences.



9. What new object lesson came from Abraham’s night vision in Abraham 3:14?


BONUS: Read D&C 132:30-32. How does the promise made to Abraham apply to us today?


Day 4: Read Abraham 3:15-17; D&C 88:11-13
10. Why did Abraham have this vision before he went into Egypt?



11. Read D&C 88:11-13. How does the order of the universe bear witness of God?
12. How do we know the Lord will finish everything he begins?



Day 5: Read Abraham 3:18-20; Isaiah 40:18-23, 55:8-9
13. Are there magnitudes or orders of brightness among heavenly bodies? How might agency play a part in the degrees of intelligence among God’s children?



14. Is the Lord bragging in Abraham 3:19? Use Isaiah 40:18-23 and 55:8-9 to explain why or why not.



15. List what you learned about the characteristics and attributes of God from these passages in Abraham and Isaiah.



Day 6: Read Abraham 3:21-23; D&C 138:53-56
16. Why did the Lord want Abraham to understand – at least on some level – the extent of His wisdom and power?



17. Read Joseph F. Smith’s vision as recorded in D&C 138:53-56. According to President Smith, who were among the noble and great ones in the pre-mortal world?



18. Who stood in the midst of the noble and great souls in the pre-mortal realms? Why do you think Abraham needed to know he was among that group?



Day 7: Read Abraham 3:24-28; review Moses 4:1-4
19. Why are we here in mortality? (See also 2 Nephi 2:11-27.)



20. What is the “first estate” of man? How and why have we been “added upon”? What is our “second estate” (see footnote 26c)? How can we “keep” this estate?



21. Who asked the question in Abraham 3:27? Who responded? Use Moses 4:1-4 to tell why the first was chosen over the second.



BONUS: Review Abraham 3. How many times is the phrase “these two facts [or things] exist” used?