Come Follow Me: Feb 16-22 – Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2 | “To be a Greater Follower of Righteousness

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

Abraham’s story is more than ancient history — it is the blueprint for every disciple who seeks covenant belonging, divine protection, and a future filled with hope. This week’s Come, Follow Me study reveals how God transforms ordinary people into extraordinary instruments of righteousness. The narrative not only showcases the life of Abraham but also serves as a powerful reminder that faith can lead to significant change and divine outcomes.

From Abraham’s near‑sacrifice in Ur to the sweeping promises of the Abrahamic Covenant, these chapters unveil the pattern of deliverance, faith, priesthood, and covenant identity that defines the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each event in Abraham’s journey can be viewed as a stepping stone toward understanding how God interacts with humankind and the purpose He has for each of us in fulfilling His divine plan.

Drawing from Genesis, the Book of Abraham, the Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, and the Come, Follow Me 2026 manual, this commentary provides doctrinal clarity, historical context, and practical application for modern disciples. This comprehensive approach allows readers to see the relevancy of Abraham’s story in today’s context, encouraging them to deepen their understanding of their own faith journeys.

Abraham’s life is a witness that righteous desires shape destiny. Though born into a family steeped in idolatry, Abraham “sought for the blessings of the fathers” and desired “to be a greater follower of righteousness” (Abraham 1:2). His story demonstrates that God honors righteous desire with revelation, deliverance, and covenant belonging. This ideal underscores the power of longing for a deeper connection with God and striving for righteousness, emphasizing that such pursuits are met with divine support and guidance.

This study argues that:

Abraham’s early trials reveal the pattern of divine deliverance. Each trial faced by Abraham not only tested his faith but also set the stage for miraculous intervention by the Lord, reinforcing the belief that faith often precedes divine action.

The Abrahamic Covenant is the foundation of all latter‑day covenant identity. This covenant is essential in understanding the relationship between God and His people, serving as a framework for spiritual growth and community among believers.

Abraham’s life models what it means to walk the covenant path with faith, sacrifice, and obedience. His unwavering commitment in the face of uncertainty illustrates the essence of discipleship. Disciples today are called to emulate this model, highlighting the importance of perseverance, trust, and dedication on their own journeys.

Ultimately, the exploration of Abraham’s life serves as both an educational and inspirational guide for individuals seeking to embrace a deeper sense of identity within their covenant relationship with God. It challenges readers to reflect on their own journeys, urging them to strive for the kind of faith that transforms lives and leads to lasting hope.

God often begins His work in the quiet soil of longing, where dreams lie dormant, waiting for the gentle touch of faith to cultivate them. In this sacred space, where silence speaks volumes and sincere desires take root, the heart learns to hope anew, nurturing seeds of potential that, with time and devotion, will blossom into a beautiful manifestation of His divine purpose. It is here that we discover the deep connection between our longings and the unfolding of His plans, reminding us that even in the stillness, something remarkable is taking shape beneath the surface, preparing us for the amazing journey ahead.

Episode 4: The Proving Ground

January 8, 2026January 18, 2026 Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

Welcome fellow travelers. This is Grace and Sobriety for Latter-day Saints on a path of recovery and living a sober life through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Does it ever feel like the moment you decide to get sober or fix your life, everything suddenly gets harder? That resistance isn’t failure—it’s actually proof that you’re on the right path

In this episode, we’re looking at Abraham 3 to discover why God calls this life a ‘proving ground.’ We’re going to learn how to turn that intense pressure into the power you need to break your chains.

I want to share with you today how we’re going to prove that you are one of the ‘noble and great ones.’ Let’s get into it and like, share, and subscribe – following this content and all other content.

Anchor Verse:

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” — Abraham 3:25

In our previous episodes, we established our nothingness without God (Moses 1), claimed our identity as His children (Moses 1), and found the courage to seek a better way (Abraham 1).

Episode 3: The Courage to Seek

January 8, 2026January 18, 2026 Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

Access the downloadable study guide here

Welcome fellow travelers. This is Grace and Sobriety for Latter-day Saints on a path of recovery and living a sober life through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

We often think our battle is just against a behavior, a bottle, or a doubt. But what if the real war is actually over your name? The adversary wants you to believe you are just your past mistakes.

But in this week’s study of Moses 1 and Abraham 3, God takes us back before the beginning to settle the score once and for all. He reminds Moses—and He’s reminding you—that before you were anything else, you were His.

Today, we are going to learn how to use your divine identity to silence the darkness. Welcome to the devotional message.

Anchor Verse:

“And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers… desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace.” — Abraham 1:2

In our previous devotionals, we explored Moses 1: first, the humility of realizing our own “nothingness” without God (Day 1), and second, the power of claiming our divine identity when the adversary tries to define us by our past (Day 2).

Additional Scriptures:

Moses 1:20: “And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength.” (The pivot from fear to action).
Abraham 1:5: “My fathers, having turned from their righteousness… refused to hearken to my voice.” (The reality that we often have to recover despite our environment).

Today, we transition to Abraham 1, which serves as the perfect companion to Moses’s stand. While Moses illustrates standing your ground against darkness, Abraham illustrates walking away from it. Abraham lived in a toxic environment—Ur of the Chaldees—surrounded by the idolatry of his fathers and a culture of spiritual death. Yet, instead of succumbing to the environment or merely coping with it, Abraham sought something better. He didn’t just want to escape the bad; he hungered for “greater happiness and peace.”

CFM | “This is My Work and My Glory”: A Verse-by-Verse Exposition of Moses 1 and Abraham 3

January 4, 2026January 18, 2026 Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

Before the curtain rises on the drama of Creation in Genesis, there is a prologue.

In the King James Bible, we open immediately to “In the beginning.” However, the Restoration offers a vital theological frame that Genesis assumes but does not explicitly state. Revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, Moses 1 and the Book of Abraham serve as this frame. They are not merely prefaces; they are the twin lenses through which we are meant to view the entire scope of human existence.

Moses 1 recounts a theophany (an encounter with God), a confrontation with the Adversary, and the ultimate revelation of God’s work and glory. It opens with a profound divine interaction where Moses learns his identity as a “son of God.” This chapter grounds us in the personal: it establishes the relationship between the Father and His children and highlights the duality of light and darkness. It reminds us that while we are endowed with agency, we are also met with opposition, encouraging us to discern and choose righteousness amidst temptation.

Complementing this is the account of Abraham, particularly the cosmic revelations of chapter 3. If Moses 1 teaches us who we are, Abraham teaches us where we came from and why we are here. Through the Urim and Thummim, Abraham is shown the governing dynamics of the universe—stars, orbits, and the great star Kolob. But this astronomy lesson is a parable for spiritual reality: just as one star is greater than another, spirits possess varying degrees of intelligence. Abraham takes us behind the scenes to the Grand Council in Heaven, revealing the doctrine of the “First Estate” and the blueprint of the Plan of Salvation before the earth was even formed.

Together, these texts restore the foundations of our faith. Moses leads us up the mountain to see God face-to-face; Abraham leads us into the stars to see the pre-mortal councils. A careful examination of these verses unveils theological depths that speak to our divine lineage, the eternal nature of intelligence, and a plan that stretches far beyond our mortal experiences.

Below is a verse-by-verse expository commentary that explores the deep theological currents of these remarkable texts. As we engage with the prologues of Moses and Abraham, we invite the Spirit to guide our understanding, deepening our connection to the divine narrative that encompasses our lives and the cosmos around us.

Day 1: The Mercy of Nothingness

January 1, 2026January 18, 2026 Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

And it came to pass…that Moses fell unto the earth. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And he said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing which thing I never had supposed.
~ Moses 1:9-10 ~

What if your rock bottom was Holy and Sacred Grounds? We are taught to fear the moment we lose control – when our strength fails and we are left with nothing. However, when we look to Moses, he is not defeated; he is positioned for power. In Moses 1, a prophet comes face-to-face with God and realizes a terrifying truth: Man is nothing. For those of us in recovery, this is not an insult. It is the first breath of freedom.

Today marks the beginning of our devotional series: Daily Exodus – Discipline of Deliverance as we study through the Old Testament for Come Follow Me. This new devotional series is for Latter-day Saint Christians, and Evangelical Christians seeking the discipline of deliverance from addiction, codependent relationships, and overcoming faith crisis, fear, doubt, and even anxiety or depression. Grounded in scriptural truth, grace of God, and revealing Jesus Christ along the sacred journey and path.

For much of our lives, we pour time and energy into proving we’re enough. We construct walls of reputation, career success, and even religious performance to keep out the unsettling fear that we might fall short. For those wrestling with addiction, codependency, perfectionism, or a crisis of faith, this often comes with waves of doubt, fear, anxiety, and even depression. Our very enslavement to these compulsive natures oftentimes collapses when these levies eventually break. We are left staring at the wreckage of our own will, forced to admit a devastating truth: without God, we are utterly and spiritually bankrupt.