Two stories illustrate Abraham's desire
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-One characteristic by which Abraham is known and revered was his willing obedience to the Lord.
Born in Ur of the Chaldees, where his father lived and died, Abraham followed the divine injunction to go to Canaan. (Gen. 11:31; 12:1-5.)
At least two other examples illustrate Abraham's obedience to the Lord's commands. One example is found in the account of when circumcision was instituted as a sign or token that one was of the covenant seed of Abraham. On that occasion, Abraham was commanded to circumcise every male in his household. (Gen. 17:10-12.)
"Upon receiving that commandment," wrote President Spencer W. Kimball, "Abraham did not say, `Yes, I will obey the Lord, but first I must move my sheep to another pasture, and mend my tents. I should be able to obey by the end of the week, or by the first of next week, at the latest.' But instead of so procrastinating his obedience, Abraham went out and complied `in the selfsame day.' " (Gen. 17:26.)
An even more impressive example of Abraham's willingness to do as the Lord commanded is found in the story about Isaac, the son who was born after long years of waiting, and was more precious to Abraham than all his other possessions.
When the Lord commanded Abraham to take Isaac "into the land of Moriah" and offer him for a burnt offering, Abraham prepared to do so.
He could have put this abhorrent task aside or even chosen to ignore the commandment entirely, but instead "Abraham . . . rose up early in the morning, and went unto the place of which God had told him." (Gen. 22:3.)
In speaking of the example set by Abraham, President Kimball asked, "How often do Church members arise early in the morning to do the will of the Lord? How often do we say, `Yes, I will have home evening with my family, but the children are so young now; I will start when they are older'?
"How often do we say, `Yes, I will obey the commandment to store food and to help others, but just now I have neither the time nor the money to spare; I will obey later'? Oh, foolish people! While we procrastinate, the harvest will be over and we will not be saved. Now is the time to follow Abraham's example; now is the time to repent; now is the time for prompt obedience to God's will.' " (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 173-74.)
