Zach McClure

Abraham and Sarah had a lot to worry about. From infertility and famine to war and the safety of their family, it could have been easy to forget their covenants while focusing on their daily concerns. Yet they showed faith by putting the Lord first each day. As a result of keeping their covenants, they knew the Lord would help them throughout their lives. As Abraham told his son, Isaac, “God will provide” (Genesis 22:8). We should follow Abraham’s example of faith and always put the Lord first.

Abraham lived a life of violence and peace, of trauma and healing, and of promises and faith. Through every trial, Abraham trusted in the Lord and chose to follow Him even when his world was at its darkest. He was rewarded with a covenant that encompasses all of God’s children and will last into the eternities. This covenant and its blessings are extended to our families today.

The phrase, “found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Moses 8:27), has at least two meanings that can bless our families. One is that Noah lived in a way that allowed the Lord to strengthen him and his family during difficult circumstances. A second meaning is that Noah discovered the peace that comes from looking at life through God’s eyes. By looking at life with an eternal perspective, Noah “walked with God, as did also his three sons” (Moses 8:27) even in a world filled with wickedness.

In less than one generation, the world God created was filled with wickedness. One exception was Enoch, a prophet who taught his people how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Enoch talked with God, he was amazed to see that the Divine Creator would cry at the fall of His children: “How is it thou canst weep?” (Moses 7:31). God responded, “They are the workmanship of mine own hands” (Moses 7:32). He was sad because each child of God is precious to Him. He grieves for each one of us when our choices take us away from Him.