Genesis 18

Jehovah appears at Mamre

And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; Genesis 18:1

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, appears to Abraham at Mamre. The Joseph Smith Translation makes the three visitors holy men who come with Him, and the LORD Himself talks with Abraham later in the chapter.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah, for whom nothing is too hard

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Genesis 18:10–14

Jehovah promises that a barren, elderly woman will have a son and asks whether anything is too hard for Him. Gabriel echoes this when he announces the birth of Jesus.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

• quoted by Romans 9:9 — "At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son."
• alluded to by Luke 1:37 — "For with God nothing shall be impossible," said at the annunciation of Jesus.

All nations blessed in Abraham

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Genesis 18:17–19

Jehovah repeats that all nations will be blessed through Abraham. Paul calls this promise the gospel preached ahead of time, fulfilled when the blessing of Abraham reaches the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him

• quoted by Galatians 3:8 — "In thee shall all nations be blessed", the gospel preached before unto Abraham.
• interpreted by Galatians 3:14 — The blessing of Abraham comes on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

Jehovah

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; Genesis 18:20–22

Jehovah tells Abraham He will judge Sodom, and Abraham stays standing before Him. The premortal Christ trusts His covenant friend with His purposes.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it · a traditional type, cited

Intercession (Abraham pleads for Sodom)

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Genesis 18:23–32

Abraham stands between the Lord and a guilty city and pleads for mercy, and Jehovah willingly agrees to spare it for a few righteous people. This softly echoes Christ, who pleads our cause with the Father.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · proposed by the reading

Judge of all the earth

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25

Abraham calls Jehovah the Judge of all the earth. The Topical Guide lists this verse under Jesus Christ, Judge, and the New Testament teaches that the Father has given all judgment to the Son.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · a traditional type, cited

• the same title in Acts 10:42 — Jesus is "ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead."