"Desiring to Receive Instructions"

Abraham 1:2

Abraham 1:2 in the Pearl of Great Price of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is saturated with implications. I'd like to focus on one of those implications for a moment. Among many other things, as Abraham is setting the stage for his account, Abraham states that he, "desir[ed] to receive instructions." What does this mean? To me, this desire seems consistent with many other visions that were seen by prophets of old, and even of prophets in the last days. Doctrine and Covenants 1:17 states that God, "called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments." The pattern seems to be this: the prophet cries to the Lord. 2. The Lord God responds by giving the prophet commandments. In response to these commandments, the prophet delivers God's message to the people. 3. Usually, the people reject and slay the prophet (as was the case with Stephen and Joseph Smith).

Abraham 2:6--Abraham receives instructions!