Abraham - Patriarch of the Covenant

Abraham lived around 2,000 B. C. E. He was descended from Noah through his son, Shem (from which source we get the term Semite.) The Bible talks a lot about Abraham in both the Old and New Testaments, but latter-day scripture expands even on that.  For example, we read in the Book of Abraham (as translated from Egyptian papyri) that one of the motivating factors for which Abraham journeyed from his home in Mesopotamia, ultimately ending up in the Land of Cainan, was to become an active participant in the God's Covenant with man.  He wrote:

I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness . . . (Abraham 1: 2)  

Who were the fathers to whom he referred? He tells us:

. . . it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning or before the foundation of the earth, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me. . .  I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the father concerning seed. (Abraham 1: 3-4)

Abraham wanted the blessings of the Covenant, founded in Heaven and continued on the earth from Adam, through Seth, Enoch, and Shem and all the righteous followers of God from the beginning. This Covenant had three key promises:

Posterity - Children more numerous than the stars in the Heavens. He would become the father of many nations.

  

Prosperity - Promises of land and sufficient means to supply needs.

Priesthood - I will be your God and you will be my people. Through my priesthood, I will give you the power to act and bless in my name and administer the ordinances of my Gospel.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that Abraham was ordained to the Priesthood by Melchizedek who had received it through Noah. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84: 14)

Speaking of Melchizedek and this interchange with Abraham, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith:

I am the Lord thy God and will give unto you the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was . . . For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham . . . to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, King of Peace.  (Doctrine and Covenants 138: 27, 29-30) 

Paul wrote to the Hebrews and drew this contrast between the Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Priesthood of Aaron, noting that Abraham predated Moses. Paul also taught that Jesus Christ was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (See Hebrews 5: 10) The Jews were clinging to the Law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood and Paul wanted them to understand that Jesus was greater than the Law. 

Three great religions trace their lineage through Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Christians and Jews speak of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This chart ignores a major Christian religion: the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many people group them with Protestants, but they are not protesting anything.  They are the restoration of First Century Christianity as taught by Jesus.  In fact, Jesus is the also the Prince of Peace and the King of Righteousness, both a king and a priest. Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ in that regard.