Abraham, Joseph, and Moses » Abraham Becomes a God

Jesus spoke to Abraham, saying, "My people have gone astray from my teachings. They are not getting baptized and instead are sprinkling themselves with blood, believing that Abel died for their sins. So I will make a covenant with you and your descendants to be my people. You and all your male descendants shall be circumcised at 8 days old to remind you that children are not accountable for sin until they reach the age of 8 years old."

Sources:
• Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:3-12
• Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, (1980), 64–72

Giving the descendants of Abraham peculiar covenants and obligations was important for keeping them segregated from other races. If such peculiar practices had not been given to the Israelites along with strict commandments not to intermarry with other people, it would have only taken a few short years for the Israelites to disappear as a nation.

Sources:
• Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, (2000), 56–58

Many other high priests have come and gone since the time of Melchizedek, but none were greater. This is why the higher priesthood of the Church is called the Melchizedek priesthood to this day. After Abraham went on his way, Melchizedek and the people of Salem remained so righteous that, like Zion, their entire city was taken up to heaven.

Sources:
• Wright, Dennis A. “None Were Greater”: A Restoration View of Melchizedek. Ensign: The Magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, February 1998.
• Kocherhans, Gib. "The Name “Melchizedek”: Some Thoughts on Its Meaning and the Priesthood It Represents". Ensign: The Magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, September 1980.