How We Look to Ancestors for Strength and Wisdom?
“Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.”
“Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him.”
Takeaway
2 Nephi 8:1–2 teaches that we draw strength and wisdom by remembering the covenantal story we come from—the rock of God’s dealings with our ancestors and the lineage of faith that shaped us. When we “look unto Abraham and Sarah,” we remember that God forms greatness out of small beginnings, and He intends to do the same with us.
1. “Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness”
We Begin by Listening
The Lord begins His invitation with a single word: Hearken. To hearken is more than hearing—it is listening with covenant intent, a willingness to be shaped, corrected, and guided.
This is why the Lord repeats this command across the scriptures:
Isaiah 51:1
“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn,
and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”
• Isaiah 51:1 (1–23) — Isaiah speaks of the New Covenant, “Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness… look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn.” Jesus is the Cornerstone, He founded Simon Peter as His Rock. Abraham and Sarah were the beginning of these foundations.
2 Nephi 7:1
“Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord:
Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you?
Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.”
• 2 Nephi 7:1 — The Lord asks, “Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away?” reminding Israel that He has never abandoned the covenant, even when they have stopped listening.
These passages form a unified message: those who desire righteousness must begin by listening to the God who has never stopped speaking.
Why These Scriptures Matter
1. Isaiah 51:1 — Hearkening reconnects us to our origin story
Isaiah ties hearkening directly to remembering the “rock” and “pit”—the spiritual source from which we were shaped. This means:
- We cannot understand ourselves without understanding our covenant lineage.
- We cannot walk forward in strength unless we first look backward in remembrance.
- We cannot claim the blessings of Abraham and Sarah unless we listen to the God who shaped them.
Isaiah teaches that identity is revealed through remembrance, and remembrance begins with hearkening.
2. 2 Nephi 7:1 — Hearkening restores covenant confidence
In 2 Nephi 7:1, the Lord confronts Israel’s fear: “Have I put thee away?” He is saying:
- I have not divorced you.
- I have not abandoned you.
- I have not withdrawn My covenant.
If God has not walked away, then the only barrier to revelation is our willingness to listen. This scripture matters because it teaches:
- God is always faithful to the covenant.
- When we feel distant, the solution is not self‑reliance—it is returning to the posture of hearkening.
- Listening restores relationship, identity, and spiritual clarity.
Principles These Scriptures Teach
- Hearkening as Covenant Identity — Hearkening is how covenant people live. It is the posture of those who “follow after righteousness.”
- God Has Never Abandoned the Covenant — 2 Nephi 7:1 teaches that God’s loyalty is unwavering. If we feel far from Him, it is not because He has withdrawn.
- Listening Restores Spiritual Memory — Isaiah 51:1 ties listening to remembering the “rock” and “pit.” We remember who we are by listening to the God who formed us.
- Revelation Begins With Willingness — Hearkening is the gateway to revelation, guidance, and spiritual inheritance.
- Covenant Strength Flows Through Generations — When we listen, we reconnect to the faith of Abraham, Sarah, and all righteous ancestors.
Application: How Hearkening Shapes Celestial Spiritual Growth
For Self — Hearing God Restores Identity and Direction
When we hearken:
- we stop living from fear and start living from covenant memory,
- we receive clarity about our purpose,
- we gain strength from the God who shaped our ancestors,
- we stop feeling spiritually orphaned.
Hearkening is how we become whole, grounded, and spiritually confident.
For Family — Hearkening Creates a Home Where Revelation Flows
Families grow celestial when:
- parents model listening to God,
- children learn that revelation is normal,
- the home becomes a place where God’s voice is welcomed,
- decisions are made by seeking the Lord together.
A hearkening family becomes a multi‑generational well of revelation.
For Fellowship — Hearkening Builds Unity and Shared Purpose
A fellowship that listens to God:
- avoids contention,
- discerns truth together,
- honors the spiritual heritage of the group,
- becomes a community where the Spirit can dwell.
Hearkening transforms a congregation into a covenant people, not just a gathering.
For Community — Hearkening Creates a Culture of Righteousness
Communities grow celestial when:
- leaders listen before they act,
- members seek God’s will collectively,
- decisions reflect covenant values,
- the community remembers its spiritual roots.
A hearkening community becomes a light to the nations, just as Abraham and Sarah were called to be.
Summary Principle
We Grow Celestial by Listening to the God Who Formed Our Lineage.
Hearkening is the first step in:
- reclaiming covenant identity,
- receiving revelation,
- strengthening families,
- unifying fellowships,
- transforming communities.
When we hearken, we join the same divine conversation that shaped Abraham, Sarah, and all our righteous ancestors.
2. “Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn”
We Remember Our Spiritual Foundations
The Lord does not leave “the rock” undefined. In 2 Nephi 8:2, He names it plainly:
“Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you…”
This means the “rock” is not an abstract symbol. It is the covenantal lineage, the spiritual ancestry, the divine story from which we were carved.
To “look to the rock” is to remember:
- the covenants our ancestors made,
- the faith they lived,
- the sacrifices they offered,
- the spiritual DNA they passed to us.
This is not nostalgia—it is identity work. It is remembering the story God has already been writing through our fathers and mothers.
Why Abraham and Sarah Are the “Rock”
Abraham as Covenant Father
Abraham represents:
- covenant loyalty,
- obedience under pressure,
- trust in impossible promises,
- generational blessing.
When God says “look to Abraham,” He is saying:
- Remember the faith you were born from.
- Remember the covenant that still rests on your family.
- Remember that I make nations out of small beginnings.
Abraham’s story is not distant history—it is the template for our spiritual identity.
Sarah as Covenant Mother
Sarah is named intentionally. She embodies:
- promise,
- patience,
- endurance,
- miraculous fulfillment.
By naming her, the Lord teaches:
- The covenant is carried by both fathers and mothers.
- Women are central to the transmission of faith.
- Our identity is shaped by the devotion, revelation, and sacrifice of righteous mothers.
Sarah is not a footnote—she is a foundation.
What It Means to “Look to the Rock”
Remembering Our Spiritual Foundations
We gain strength when we remember that we were carved from something:
- solid,
- tested,
- enduring,
- covenantal.
Looking to the rock helps us reclaim courage when we feel small. It reminds us that our story did not begin with our struggles. It anchors us in the faithfulness of God across generations.
Seeing Ourselves as Part of a Covenant Lineage
When we look to Abraham and Sarah, we remember:
- We are not spiritual orphans.
- We belong to a divine family story.
- God’s promises to them extend to us.
- Their faith is the soil our faith grows from.
This remembrance restores spiritual confidence.
Recognizing the Pattern of God’s Work
Abraham and Sarah show us how God works:
- He begins with one faithful heart.
- He forms greatness out of small beginnings.
- He builds nations through covenant families.
- He fulfills promises across generations.
When we look to them, we see the pattern God is using to shape us.
Application: How We “Look to the Rock” Today
For Self — Identity and Courage
We look to the rock when we:
- study the faith of our ancestors,
- remember the covenants they lived,
- let their victories become our confidence,
- let their endurance become our strength.
This restores identity and courage.
For Family — Building on a Covenant Foundation
Families “look to the rock” when they:
- teach the stories of Abraham, Sarah, and their own ancestors,
- honor the sacrifices that built their spiritual heritage,
- continue the covenant through obedience and devotion.
This creates a home rooted in divine continuity.
For Fellowship — Becoming a Covenant People
A fellowship “looks to the rock” when it:
- honors the spiritual heritage of the community,
- builds unity through shared covenant identity,
- remembers that God forms His people through generations.
This transforms a congregation into a covenant family.
For Community — Living as a Multi‑Generational Work of God
Communities “look to the rock” when they:
- preserve the stories of faith that shaped them,
- build institutions on covenant principles,
- see themselves as part of God’s long work across time.
This creates a culture of righteousness that endures.
Summary Principle
We Remember Who We Are by Remembering the Rock We Came From.
Abraham and Sarah are not distant figures—they are the spiritual quarry from which we were carved. When we look to them, we reclaim:
- identity,
- courage,
- covenant purpose,
- generational strength.
Looking to the rock is how we remember the God who shaped our family story—and how we step into the future He is still writing through us.
The Five Best “Rock” Scriptures for This Section
Scriptures taken from the Topical Guide list for:
“Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn” — We Remember Our Spiritual Foundations (with 2 Nephi 8:2 — Abraham and Sarah)
The “rock” in scripture consistently symbolizes identity, covenant origin, divine reliability, and multi‑generational faithfulness. From the Topical Guide list Rock, the following five passages—one from each major canon—best reinforce the meaning of “the rock” as the covenantal source from which we were carved.
1. Old Testament — Exodus 17:6
“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Why this is the best OT choice
This verse shows God bringing life out of the rock, just as He brought a covenant people out of Abraham and Sarah. It symbolizes:
- provision,
- deliverance,
- identity formed through divine intervention,
- life flowing from covenant foundations.
It perfectly complements 2 Nephi 8:2 because both passages show that our spiritual origin is a place where God brings forth life, strength, and covenant blessing.
Principle
God brings life from covenant foundations. Just as water flowed from the rock, spiritual strength flows from remembering our covenant lineage.
Application
• Self: God can bring life out of our dry places
• Family: God sustains families through covenant memory
• Fellowship: God nourishes communities built on His promises
• Community: God provides for covenant people across generations
2. New Testament — Matthew 16:18
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Why this is the best NT choice
This verse defines the “rock” as revelation and covenant foundation, the same foundation Abraham and Sarah lived by.
It connects ancient covenant identity to the New Testament church.
Principle
God builds His work on revealed identity.
Application
• Self: revelation clarifies identity
• Family: revelation guides righteous parenting
• Fellowship: revelation unifies the saints
• Community: revelation builds enduring institutions
3. Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:20
“And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.”
Why this is the best BoM choice
This verse ties the “rock” to Christ, deliverance, and covenant continuity—the same themes in 2 Nephi 8:2.
It shows that the God of Abraham and Sarah is the same God who delivers us.
Principle
Christ is the covenant Rock who delivers across generations.
Application
• Self: Christ delivers us from personal bondage
• Family: Christ heals generational wounds
• Fellowship: Christ unites the saints
• Community: Christ becomes the moral and spiritual foundation
4. Doctrine & Covenants — D&C 6:34
“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.”
Why this is the best D&C choice
This verse defines the “rock” as Christ, covenant loyalty, and invincibility against opposition.
It matches the theme of being “hewn” from something solid, tested, enduring.
Principle
Covenant foundations make us spiritually unshakable.
Application
• Self: resilience in trials
• Family: protection from spiritual storms
• Fellowship: unity against adversarial forces
• Community: stability in moral turbulence
5. Pearl of Great Price — Moses 7:56
“And he heard a loud voice; and the heavens were veiled; and all the creations of God mourned; and the earth groaned; and the rocks were rent; and the saints arose, and were crowned at the right hand of the Son of Man, with crowns of glory;”
Why this is the best PoGP choice
This verse shows that even creation responds to covenant events.
The “rent rocks” at the death of Christ symbolize the breaking of old bonds and the opening of a new covenant era.
Principle
Covenant moments reshape creation itself.
Application
• Self: Christ breaks the hardness in our hearts
• Family: Christ breaks generational chains
• Fellowship: Christ breaks division and contention
• Community: Christ breaks systems of oppression and opens paths to renewal
Brief Summary: Why the Entire Topical Guide List Matters
The full list of “Rock” scriptures reveals a unified pattern:
- The Rock is Christ — the eternal foundation.
- The Rock is covenant — the promises made to Abraham and Sarah.
- The Rock is revelation — God’s voice as the foundation of identity.
- The Rock is identity — we are “hewn” from divine lineage.
- The Rock is stability — storms cannot move those built on it.
- The Rock is transformation — God brings life from the rock and rends rocks at redemption.
- The Rock is multi‑generational — God’s work spans centuries and families.
How These Five Scriptures Strengthen Section 2
They reinforce that:
- Abraham and Sarah are the covenant rock,
- Christ is the eternal Rock,
- Revelation is the living Rock,
- Covenant identity is the rock we are hewn from,
- Generational faith is the rock we stand on.
Together, they deepen the meaning of: “Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn.” They show that remembering the rock is remembering:
- our lineage,
- our identity,
- our Redeemer,
- our covenant,
- our purpose,
- our future.
3. “Look… to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged”
We Acknowledge What God Has Lifted Us From
This phrase invites us to remember not only where we came from, but what God has delivered our people from.
Every family has stories of:
- bondage broken,
- miracles given,
- wisdom gained through suffering,
- resilience forged in adversity.
When we remember these things, we stop seeing ourselves as isolated individuals and start seeing ourselves as the continuation of a redeemed lineage.
- Remembering deliverance gives us perspective.
- It helps us trust God with our present trials.
- It teaches us that God has always been active in our family story.
4. “Look unto Abraham, your father”
We Look to Covenant Ancestors
Abraham represents covenant, faith, obedience, and divine promise. When the Lord commands us to “look unto Abraham,” He is inviting us to study the pattern God established through him—a pattern that still shapes our identity today.
When we “look to Abraham,” we are being taught to:
- study the patterns of faith our ancestors lived,
- see how God shaped them through trials,
- recognize that covenant blessings flow through generations.
Abraham is not just his story—he is our story. His faith becomes the template for our faith.
- Looking to covenant ancestors teaches us how to walk with God.
- It reminds us that God’s promises to our fathers and mothers extend to us.
- It gives us confidence that God is still writing our family’s story.
Supporting Scriptures for This Section
Genesis 17:4 (1–8)
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
“And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.”
“And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,”
“As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.”
“Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.”
“And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.”
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”
“And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan,
for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 109:64
“And the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father.”
Doctrine and Covenants 132:49
“For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity;
for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father.”
Why These Supporting Scriptures Matter
Genesis 17:4 (1–8) — Abraham as the Father of Covenant Nations
“My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.”
Why this scripture belongs here
Genesis 17 is the moment God establishes Abraham’s identity and defines the covenant lineage.
It shows that Abraham’s story is not merely personal—it is generational, global, and eternal.
Looking to Abraham means remembering:
- God began a covenant with one man,
- God expanded it to a family,
- God extended it to nations,
- God continues it through us.
Principle
Covenant identity flows from Abraham into every generation.
Application
• Self: We inherit Abraham’s promises and responsibilities.
• Family: Our homes become part of the Abrahamic story.
• Fellowship: We gather as a covenant people.
• Community: We participate in God’s work to bless all nations.
D&C 109:64 — God Delivers Covenant People Across Generations
“Deliver thy people from the hands of their enemies.”
Why this scripture belongs here
Abraham’s life was marked by deliverance—from famine, kings, barrenness, and spiritual opposition.
D&C 109 shows that God continues this same pattern with Abraham’s descendants.
Looking to Abraham means recognizing:
- God protects covenant people,
- God delivers them from enemies,
- God preserves their identity and mission.
Principle
Covenant people are preserved by divine deliverance.
Application
• Self: God delivers us from spiritual enemies.
• Family: God protects covenant homes.
• Fellowship: God preserves unity and purpose.
• Community: God shields covenant communities from spiritual erosion.
D&C 132:49 — God Breaks the Power of the Destroyer Over Covenant Families
“I will… deliver thee out of the hands of the destroyer.”
Why this scripture belongs here
Abraham’s covenant included protection, posterity, and power over the adversary.
D&C 132 reveals that God continues to break the destroyer’s influence over covenant families.
Looking to Abraham means remembering:
- God defends covenant lineages,
- God breaks generational bondage,
- God empowers families to fulfill divine destiny.
Principle
Covenant protection extends across generations.
Application
• Self: God frees us from the destroyer’s influence.
• Family: God heals generational wounds.
• Fellowship: God strengthens the body of Christ.
• Community: God preserves covenant identity across time.
How These Scriptures Strengthen This Section
Together, Genesis 17:4, D&C 109:64, and D&C 132:49 reveal a unified truth:
- Abraham is the covenant father of nations — his story defines our spiritual identity.
- God delivers covenant people just as He delivered Abraham — deliverance is part of our inheritance.
- God protects covenant families from the destroyer — the Abrahamic covenant includes divine protection.
- Covenant identity is generational — we are part of a story God began long before we were born.
- Looking to Abraham restores confidence in God’s ongoing work — if God kept His promises to Abraham, He will keep them to us.
Application: How We “Look to Abraham” Today
For Self — Identity and Purpose
We look to Abraham when we:
- study his faith,
- trust God’s promises,
- walk in obedience,
- embrace our covenant identity.
This gives us spiritual clarity and purpose.
For Family — Covenant Continuity
Families look to Abraham when they:
- teach the Abrahamic covenant,
- honor their spiritual heritage,
- build homes of faith and obedience.
This creates multi‑generational strength.
For Fellowship — Becoming a Covenant People
A fellowship looks to Abraham when it:
- gathers in unity,
- lives by revelation,
- embraces its identity as Abraham’s seed.
This forms a covenant community.
For Community — Blessing the Nations
Communities look to Abraham when they:
- serve,
- lift,
- reconcile,
- bless others.
This fulfills the Abrahamic mission: “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Summary Principle
We Look to Abraham to Understand Who We Are and What God Is Making Us Become.
Abraham is not merely a historical figure—he is the pattern, the foundation, and the father of our covenant identity.
Looking to Abraham teaches us:
- who we are,
- whose we are,
- what promises rest upon us,
- and how God intends to shape our future.
It anchors our celestial spiritual growth—as individuals, as families, as fellowships, and as covenant communities.
5. “And unto Sarah, she that bare you”
We Honor the Mothers Who Carried the Covenant Forward
The Lord names Sarah intentionally. He teaches us that the covenant is transmitted through both fathers and mothers, and that the story of God’s people cannot be told without the women who preserved, protected, and carried the covenant forward.
Looking to Sarah means:
- honoring the women who preserved faith in our lineage,
- recognizing the spiritual power of righteous mothers,
- acknowledging that our identity is shaped by their devotion, revelation, and sacrifice.
Sarah represents:
- promise,
- patience,
- endurance,
- miraculous fulfillment.
When we look to her, we see how God works through women to shape nations and generations.
- Honoring covenant mothers strengthens our understanding of divine partnership.
- It helps us see our own mothers and grandmothers with spiritual clarity.
- It teaches us that God builds families through both masculine and feminine stewardship.
Why Genesis 24:36 Fits This Section
Genesis 24:36 — Sarah as the Mother of Covenant Fulfillment
“And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.”
Why this scripture belongs here
Genesis 24:36 is one of the clearest declarations in scripture that:
- Sarah’s motherhood was miraculous,
- Her motherhood was covenantal,
- Her motherhood secured the inheritance,
- Her motherhood ensured the continuation of Abraham’s promises.
This verse shows that the covenant does not advance without Sarah. Her faith, endurance, and obedience made the covenant possible for the next generation.
This is precisely why the Lord says: “Look unto… Sarah, she that bare you.” He is calling us to remember:
- the miracle of her motherhood,
- the faith that sustained her,
- the covenant she carried in her body and spirit,
- the inheritance she secured for all future generations.
Principle
Covenant motherhood is a divine stewardship that shapes generations.
Why this matters for the entire study
This study emphasizes lineage, identity, covenant memory, and multi‑generational faithfulness.
Genesis 24:36 shows that Sarah is not a supporting character—she is a foundational pillar of the covenant story.
Her motherhood is the bridge between:
- Abraham’s promise,
- Isaac’s inheritance,
- Jacob’s lineage,
- and the covenant people who follow.
Principles This Scripture Teaches
- God Fulfills Promises Through Righteous Women — Sarah’s story shows that God’s covenant work depends on the faith of women.
- Covenant Identity Is Carried Through Mothers — Sarah “bare a son”—the covenant literally passed through her body.
- Miraculous Fulfillment Is Part of Covenant Life — Sarah conceived when it was impossible, showing that God keeps promises beyond human limitation.
- Inheritance Flows Through Covenant Mothers — “Unto him hath he given all that he hath”—Sarah’s motherhood secured the covenant inheritance.
- Women Are Co‑Stewards of the Covenant — The covenant is not patriarchal alone—it is patriarchal and matriarchal.
Application: How We Honor Covenant Mothers Today
For Self — Identity and Gratitude
We honor Sarah when we:
- recognize the women who shaped our faith,
- remember the sacrifices of our mothers and grandmothers,
- see ourselves as inheritors of their devotion.
This builds humility and spiritual clarity.
For Family — Strengthening the Matriarchal Line
Families honor Sarah when they:
- teach the stories of covenant mothers,
- value the spiritual authority of women,
- build homes where both father and mother steward revelation.
This creates generational stability.
For Fellowship — Recognizing Women’s Spiritual Stewardship
A fellowship honors Sarah when it:
- acknowledges the prophetic influence of righteous women,
- values their contributions equally,
- builds a culture where women’s voices shape the spiritual direction of the community.
This strengthens unity and revelation.
For Community — Building Zion Through Divine Partnership
Communities honor Sarah when they:
- uphold the dignity and calling of women,
- protect motherhood as a sacred stewardship,
- build institutions that reflect divine partnership.
This creates a Zion‑like culture rooted in covenant balance.
Summary Principle
We Honor Sarah to Understand How God Builds Covenant Families Through Women.
Sarah is not a footnote—she is a foundation, a matriarch, a miracle, and a model of covenant endurance.
Looking to Sarah teaches us:
- how God fulfills promises through women,
- how covenant identity is carried through mothers,
- how faith and patience shape generations,
- how divine partnership builds families and nations.
Honoring covenant mothers strengthens our celestial spiritual growth—as individuals, as families, as fellowships, and as covenant communities.
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