Although foreordained, Alma makes it clear that those called to the Melchizedek priesthood had to exercise great faith to demonstrate their worthiness to hold the priesthood. Although raised in a home of idolatry, this sort of exceedingly great faith was operative in the life of Abraham:
'I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to posses a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers' (Abr 1:2).