To Be a Better Follower of Righteousness. Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2. Because of the covenant God made with him, Abraham was called “father of the faithful” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:41) and “friend of God” (James 2:23). Millions today honor him as their direct ancestor, and others have been adopted into his family through their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet Abraham himself came from a troubled family: his father, who had abandoned the true worship of God, tried to have Abraham sacrificed to false gods. Despite this, Abraham’s desire was to be a better follower of righteousness (Abraham 1:2), and the account of his life shows that God honored his desire. Abraham's life is a testament that, whatever a person's family history, the future can be filled with hope.