Show something you value that you have inherited from your family, such as an old book, a piece of jewelry, or a family pedigree chart. (If you can’t bring something, tell about an item that belonged to your parents or grandparents.) Ask the children to tell about special family items they have been given.

Next tell about a character trait that you have inherited. Ask the class to name traits they may have inherited. Help the children understand that when we think about inheritances, we usually think about things such as possessions or objects.

Write the word heir on the chalkboard and discuss its meaning with the children. Help them understand that an heir is anyone who inherits an item, property, or a character trait from a parent or ancestor. Tell the children that in this lesson they will learn about the great blessings they are heirs to through their ancestor the prophet Abraham.

Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the account of Abraham from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Help the children understand the following points:

• Abraham wanted to be righteous and receive the blessings of happiness and peace.

• Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, the Lord made a covenant with him.

• This covenant gave Abraham the right to receive the priesthood with its accompanying blessings and responsibilities.

• Abraham was promised that he would have numerous descendants, who would inherit these same priesthood blessings if they lived faithfully.

• We are Abraham’s descendants and have the responsibility to take the gospel and the priesthood to all nations and people of the earth.

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.

• How did Abraham’s father and the people of Ur of Chaldea worship? (Abraham 1:5–7.) How had Abraham tried to help them? (Abraham 1:5.)

• What were the desires of Abraham’s heart? (Abraham 1:2, 4.) What blessings are appropriate for you to seek? Point out that Heavenly Father has many blessings in store for each of us. He has told us to ask for them and then to live worthy to receive them.

• What happened to three young women who refused to worship idols? (Abraham 1:11.) Explain that even though they lost their lives, they will be blessed eternally for their righteousness. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. In what ways is it challenging to live righteously today?

• How was Abraham’s life saved? (Abraham 1:15–16.) Who is Jehovah? (Jehovah is the name Jesus Christ was known by in the Old Testament. See “Jehovah” in the LDS Bible Dictionary [p. 710].) (See enrichment activity 2.)

• How did the Lord help Abraham as he left Ur? (Abraham 1:18, 20.)

• Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, the Lord made a covenant (a sacred, two-way promise) with him. What did the Lord promise Abraham if he remained faithful? (Abraham 2:8–11.) (See enrichment activity 1.)

• When will all these promises to Abraham be fulfilled? Explain that Abraham had to wait many years before the blessings came, and the promises are still being fulfilled today. Even though he had to wait a long time, Abraham continued to have faith and be obedient. He knew the Lord’s promises are certain but that blessings do not always come immediately nor always in the way that we expect. Sometimes our blessings are spiritual and come to us in the eternities rather than during this earth life. (See Hebrews 11:13.)

• Explain that everyone who accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ receives the right to inherit the blessings of Abraham (see Galatians 3:29). What are these blessings? (Abraham 2:11; the blessings of the priesthood, such as baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the temple endowment, temple marriage, and so on. Through these priesthood blessings we can attain exaltation, become like God, and live with our families eternally.)

• What is our responsibility as God’s covenant people? (Abraham 2:9; have faith, keep our baptismal covenants, help take the gospel to all the people of the world, and so forth.) (See enrichment activities 5 and 6.)

You may want to bear testimony that because we are God’s covenant people, we have the privilege and responsibility of honoring the priesthood and sharing the gospel with all people so that they can receive the blessings of Abraham.

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”

Suggest that the children study Abraham 2:9–11 at home as a review of this lesson.