How Can I Become a Greater Follower of Righteousness?

            My Come, Follow Me studies this week took me to Genesis 12-17 and Abraham 1-2. These chapters teach about Abram and his desire and efforts to become “a greater follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2). Abram marries Sarai, the daughter of his brother Haran. The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, and changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

            Abraham is known as “the father of the faithful” because of the covenant that God made with him (Doctrine and Covenants 138:41). Abraham is also known as “the Friend of God” (James 2:23). Jews, Christians, and Muslims look to Abraham and honor him as their direct ancestor. Millions of other people have been adopted into the family of Abraham through their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

            The fact that Abraham was promised posterity that numbers more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore is quite ironic. Abraham came from a troubled family. His father turned from God and began to worship false gods. He even tried to sacrifice Abraham to those false gods. Despite Abraham’s circumstances, he developed a desire “to be a greater follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2), and his story shows that God honored his desire. His story also testifies that our family history does not determine our future.

            A chronology of the Bible indicates that the prophet Noah may have been living during the early years of Abraham, so it is possible that Abraham could have known Noah personally. Abraham mentions in his record (Abraham 1:19) that the Lord referred to His covenant with Noah while teaching Abraham about the covenant that He would establish with him.

            The principle that I wish to discuss tonight is found in Abraham 1:1-19, “God will bless me for my faith and righteous desires.” Abraham lived in a wicked environment. His community was sacrificing children and virgins to their gods. Despite his environment, Abraham desired righteousness. President Dallin H. Oaks said the following about having righteous desires.

As important as it is to lose every desire for sin, eternal life requires more. To achieve our eternal destiny, we will desire and work for the qualities required to become an eternal being…. If this seems too difficult – and surely it is not easy for any of us – then we should begin with a desire for such qualities and call upon our loving Heavenly Father for help with our feelings [see Moroni 7:48] (“Desire,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 44-45).

            In his quest for righteousness, Abraham sought the blessings of the fathers (see Abraham 1:2). Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that a “true disciple has an inborn questioning to know, personally, all that God is willing to teach us.” He spoke of other prophets who sought righteousness and then said of Abraham, “Abraham described himself as desiring ‘great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness’ (Abraham 1:2), questing for the word of Christ.” He continued, “Divine discontent in the form of promptings can move us to feast because we know that by feasting we can increase our knowledge, effectiveness, and joy” (Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward [1977], 119).

            The lesson manual asked several questions to help us develop a desire for greater righteousness. One of the questions is, “What did Abraham desire and seek after? What did he do to demonstrate his faith?” Another question is, “What are your desires? Is there something you feel you should do to purify your desires?”

            It is easier to live righteously when surrounded by righteous people, and many people struggle to live the gospel of Jesus Christ because loved ones are not supportive. However, Abraham’s story tells us that we can achieve our goal to be greater followers of righteousness.