Show Notes
The restored gospel didn’t “start” in 1830, it’s ancient, and Abraham’s story is one of the clearest windows into the covenant pathway and temple worship.
In this conversation with Jeff Bradshaw (senior research scientist and leading Latter-day Saint temple scholar), we explore how the Abraham narratives in Genesis (and the restoration through the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Abraham) point to: • The Abrahamic Covenant as the New & Everlasting Covenant (and the Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood) • How Abraham’s life models obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and promised blessings • Melchizedek and what “king and priest” can mean spiritually • The sacrament as a renewal of all our covenants (not just baptism) • New names (Abraham/Sarah) and initiatory connections • Sealing “welding links,” messy family stories, and God’s power to heal and gather
If you’ve ever wondered why Abraham’s story matters for your discipleship and temple worship today—this episode is for you.
===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye
Resources mentioned: Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Look Unto Abraham and Sarah (In the Beginning, Vol. 3) https://amzn.to/45Ua5Xd
• Jeffrey M. Bradshaw et al. — In God’s Image and Likeness, Vol. 3 (Abraham) https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/in-gods-image-and-likeness-3
• Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Temple Themes in the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/store/product/temple-themes-in-the-oath-and-covenant-of-the-priesthood-pdf/
• “An article on temple themes in the Book of Abraham” (referenced by the host) A solid, relevant academic PDF on this theme (BYU ScholarsArchive): https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=ifb&filename=5&type=additional
• Doctrine and Covenants 84 (Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng
• Doctrine and Covenants 132 (sealing / Abrahamic covenant connections referenced in discussion) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/2?lang=eng
• Bradshaw’s publication hub (tons of PDFs & links you can mine for show notes) https://www.templethemes.net/publications.php
• Dura-Europos / “hand through the veil” imagery context (ties to their Isaac discussion) https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-ezekiel-mural-at-dura-europos-a-witness-of-ancient-jewish-mysteries
• 11 K tradition mentioned https://www.marquette.edu/maqom/11QMelchizedek.pdf
https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-one
https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-two
===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/
===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
#lds #latterdaysaints #jesuschrist #temple #abrahamiccovenant #bookof...
More from Informed Saints
Did Joseph Smith ever reveal where the Book of Mormon took place? The very first missionaries told reporters that Lehi landed in Chile, and that the Nephites' final battle ran all the way from Panama to New York. So where did that picture come from, and has the question ever been settled by revelation?
Was Quetzalcoatl really Jesus Christ? Is the famous "Lehi Stone" actually a carving of Lehi's tree of life? And if the Book of Mormon is true, why hasn't DNA found the Nephites? A Mesoamerican historian who believes the Book of Mormon takes on the myths that never seem to die.
We're diving into the top highlights and reveals of the October 2026 General Conference, including a surprising address from President Christofferson on the spiritual dangers of gambling.
Jesus told us to search Isaiah diligently—so why does it so often feel like a closed book? What if the passages that confuse us most are actually some of the most carefully crafted poetry in all of scripture?
Everyone knows where the Hill Cumorah is… right? Joseph Smith received the gold plates from a hill in upstate New York. But is that the same hill where Mormon hid the Nephite records and the Nephites made their last stand in Mormon 6? It's one of the most debated questions in Book of Mormon geography, and the history behind it may surprise you.