Abraham, the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob (called Israel), was promised great things by the Lord. He procured these blessings through this incredible faith and obedience in spite of his personal feelings and desires. He was willing to sacrifice his own son in order to be obedient. I don't think I would be as willing, but I hope I am as obedient.
The promises extended to Abraham and his posterity are extended to us - we are his posterity. We have the same promises - blessing the earth and having our children be as numerous as the sands of the sea. It is through our own faithfulness and righteousness - our own willingness to obey - that we procure these blessings for ourselves and our posterity.
It is incumbent for everyone who would obtain these blessings that they remember the Lord Jesus Christ, that they love Him and keep His commandments, and that they share their blessings with others. In this way, the gospel becomes real for us and we are able to understand how it is that we, as Abraham's seed, can bless the lives of those around us - the whole world.
King Benjamin asked - For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
This is one of my favorite questions in all of the scriptures. It is very rhetorical, so I will not attempt a response. But I would ask you to consider the import of this question. I would also ask you to think about how it is that we demonstrate our love and devotion to the Most High, if not through service to His children here on earth?
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