Abraham’s Story Is the Temple Endowment in Disguise (Jeff Bradshaw Explains)

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

https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/revisiting-the-forgotten-voices-of-weeping-in-moses-7-a-comparison-with-ancient-texts

https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/moses-6-7-and-the-book-of-giants-remarkable-witnesses-of-enochs-ministry

===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 #bookofabraham #genesis #josephsmith #melchizedek #priesthood #sacrament #endowment #sealing #covenantpath #comeFollowMe